Herpes is a viral infection, which is carried by 90% of the world's population, and according to some sources - already 98%. Only 20% of people experience symptoms of the disease. Among infections, herpes is in 2nd place after the flu. Such a huge prevalence of the virus is due to the fact that it has a high virulence and very good adaptability to any environment. The very word "herpes" in translation from Greek means "creeping". This name is due to the fact that local infection by the virus leads to its complete conquest of the whole organism.
What is behind the herpes blisters?
The infection is characterized by blistering rashes with their subsequent changes. At this stage of the disease, a person becomes infectious both to the environment and to himself.
When a bubble bursts, the liquid released from it contains billions of viruses. They get to other parts of the body and new foci of infection appear. In addition, autoinvasion is possible when scratching itchy areas, touching them, and then to other parts of the body. Not only the skin suffers from the virus, but the entire body: the digestive tract, liver, kidneys, genitals, lungs, lymph nodes, etc.
Reasons for the development of herpes on the skin
With any type of herpes virus, the main cause of infection is its penetration into the body. Infection is possible through direct contact with the patient, through household items, by aerogenic means, as well as from mother to fetus (vertical path).
Oral-genital contacts expand the boundaries of the habitat of HSV-1 and HSV-2, and they can also be found on the genitals and on the lips, oral mucosa. Outside the body, the virus is viable for another day. The most dangerous is always the first contact with the virus (primary infection), because in this case the infected person does not yet have antibodies.
The source of infection is the patient and the carrier. The virus enters cells and exists in an inactive state for years. A person may not know anything, but as soon as immunity decreases, herpes instantly activates. For its manifestation, provocateurs are needed. These include:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- menstruation;
- stress or fatigue;
- overheating or hypothermia of the body;
- smoking and alcohol;
- recent infections;
- prim AGP on the background of allergies.
The risk of manifestation of the disease increases in the following cases:
- patients with congenital immunodeficiencies;
- taking cytostatics, corticosteroids, antibiotics, radiation and chemotherapy;
- elderly age;
- severe somatic.
Types of herpes
Today, more than 100 types of herpes virus are known, but most often a person is attacked by 8 types, which are better studied. Of these, the first 3 types are best known, 7 and 8 are in the research stage. There is no fatal outcome with herpes, but it settles in the body after penetration forever.
No antiviral agents can cure the pathology. Its development can only be slowed down.
- Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) or labial type - people call it a cold sore on the lips or a manifestation of fright. They can be contracted through shared objects of use, kissing and communication with the sick.
- Herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) is genital. The route of infection is sexual.
- Virus type 3 - in children, it is called chickenpox, after which lifelong immunity is developed. Infection is aerogenic. In adults, this virus has the appearance of shingles.
- Virus type 4 (Epstein-Barr virus) - causes infectious mononucleosis, in which, first of all, the lymphatic system is attacked, as well as the tonsils, the hepatolienal system, and a rash on the body also occurs. The risk of cancer increases.
- Herpes type 5 (cytomegalovirus) - no symptoms. The lesion resembles a mononucleosis-like syndrome; lymphoid tissue and internal organs are also affected. Promotes oncology.
- Viruses 6, 7, and 8 have been discovered in recent decades. The basic principles of their action are already known: type 6 contributes to the occurrence of multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, in children it causes sudden exanthema. The 7th type provokes leukemia and cancer of the lymphatic system. 8th - leads to the development of Kaposi's sarcoma (skin cancer) and primary lymphoma.
The mechanism of the development of the virus in the body
The incubation period takes from 1 to 26 days. For the penetration of the virus, an entrance gate is always needed - microtrauma of the skin or mucous membranes.
The source is the patient in the active phase or the carrier. The external manifestation of the infection is a rash in the form of a whole scattering of transparent blisters on the skin filled with lymphatic fluid. It is accompanied by itching, fever, painful sensations.
The brightest picture during primary infection. But even if there is no clinic, the danger of the virus does not diminish from this.
In response to the penetration of the virus, the immune system immediately reacts: the production of specific immunoglobulins M and G begins - this is also IgG.
IgMs appear immediately at the onset of the infection and indicate an acute stage. IgGs are produced later and become a marker of immunological memory.
They are already constantly present in the blood. Immunoglobulins restrain the virus, forcing it to be in a dormant state so that there are no active negative manifestations.
With an exacerbation of herpes, class G immunoglobulins immediately react, and the clinic of relapse softens. After recovery, the pathogen continues to remain in the tissues of the body for life.
Herpes simplex symptoms
HSV-1 can affect any area of the skin, but is more common on the lips and wings of the nose. 2 days before the rash, itching suddenly occurs in these places, general weakness and malaise. Then transparent bubbles up to 3 mm in size appear. These places turn red, sore and tingle. Bubbles can merge, the temperature rises. Later, they become cloudy, the skin swells and turns red. After 3-5 days, the vesicles burst with the formation of ulcers. The skin becomes covered with a crust (scab), which is rejected on the 7-9th day. There are no traces left.
The consequences of herpes on the lips: in a third of women and in every tenth men, HSV-1 can lead to aseptic meningitis.
Genital herpes symptoms
Can be caused by HSV-1 and HSV-2. In a typical course, the symptoms are similar to type 1, but the rash concerns the genitals - bubbles (single or confluent) appear on the head of the penis, scrotum, foreskin; in women - on the genitals. Herpes can "spread" to the vaginal mucosa, urethra, cervix, buttocks, thighs, in men - also to the testicles and prostate. This is manifested by dysuric disorders, pain, purulent vaginal discharge.
The whole process can last 3 weeks, while increasing. With relapses, rashes are less.
Herpes zoster symptoms
It starts with pain and burning along the nerves (more often intercostal), supplemented by cephalgia and malaise. After a few days, in these areas, the skin becomes edematous, slightly reddens and a group of transparent vesicles appears.
Then they become purulent or bloody. The rash is similar to chickenpox, but is located in the form of a ribbon, a ring.
The following picture is typical. In weakened persons, the rashes occupy large areas and merge (bullous form). Only a child over 10 years old and an adult can get shingles.
Danger to the fetus and newborn
During pregnancy, abrupt changes occur in the body that also affect immunity (it is weakened), so the susceptibility to infections increases dramatically, as well as the consequences of herpes during pregnancy become more likely. Even if it is a relapse of the virus, the danger to the mother and fetus is great.
In utero, a child can become infected with the activity of the virus in the mother. This is especially dangerous in the 1st trimester of pregnancy, during childbirth and during the neonatal period.
The consequences of herpes can be in the form of:
- stillbirth;
- miscarriages;
- fetal malformations (heart, liver and kidney defects, hydro- and microcephaly, skeletal disorders);
- early childbirth;
- hypotrophy and hypoxia of the fetus;
- severe damage to the central nervous system of the fetus, its vision and hearing.
Danger to pregnant women
In the first trimester, the laying of future organs and systems takes place. For a child, the consequences of herpes on the lips during pregnancy are insignificant: if it recurs every few months (this is an infrequent form of it), maternal antibodies will prevent the virus from entering the fetus and harm it. But if there is a primary infection, then miscarriages are possible. During this period, the consequences of herpes for the unborn child will be very severe even when carrying a fetus. In the early stages, it is better to get rid of such a pregnancy. Otherwise, the children born will have pathologies that can make them disabled for life.
The consequences of herpes during pregnancy, if it was a type 3 virus, are dangerous because there is a high probability of external and internal deformities in the child.
In the second trimester, all internal organs are already actively growing and developing. At 8 weeks, the placenta is formed. It is completely permeable to the virus, so infection will have the most harmful consequences.
In the presence of antibodies, the risk of infection drops to 5-7%. The consequences of herpes during pregnancy for a child during this period is that he cannot be born healthy, the survival rate is less than 10%. In case of primary infection, the likelihood of a healthy baby is zero.
In the third trimester, the risk of malformations is also high, and this concerns the fetal brain. Encephalitis develops, all parts of the brain are affected.
Fetal death often occurs. If the child is born alive, he dies in the first week. Also, the baby can become infected during childbirth.
Implications for children
Babies tolerate herpes much harder than adults, and the consequences of herpes in children are always pronounced. For newborns, the virus is generally fatal - there are inflammatory processes of the respiratory system, vision, blindness and deafness can develop. In adulthood, such men and women are sterile.
The most dangerous is brain damage in the form of encephalitis. Even early intensive treatment will not restore his function, and the child remains disabled.
In children under 1 year old, the following consequences of herpes are also observed:
- loss of smell;
- myocarditis;
- meningitis;
- encephalopathy.
Complications and consequences in women and men
The disease, although it manifests itself focal, but affects the entire body, which is why the consequences of herpes are varied. You can split them into groups and consider them separately.
Neurological complications:
- Alzheimer's disease - HSV-1 is the culprit. It is known that 90% of patients with Alzheimer's disease are carriers of herpes, and during autopsies in 70% of patients, an active type 1 virus was found in the brain.
- Aseptic meningitis occurs with primary infection with HSV-2.
- Encephalitis and meningoencephalitis - can also be the consequences of herpes on the lips and genital herpes. In this case, paralysis and neuropathy are observed.
- Epilepsy.
- The virus can also cause irreversible, progressive destruction of brain cells. This is possible in the absence of treatment.
Sciatica is caused, among other factors, by HSV-2. Retinal necrosis and dissection, eye inflammation - the consequences of herpes zoster, as well as HSV-1 and 2.
Consequences for other organs:
- purulent inflammation of the pharynx and lesions of the lymph nodes;
- pneumonia - develops rapidly and is very poorly treated;
- persistent decrease in immunity and frequent colds.
The consequences of genital herpes are:
- inflammation of the MPS;
- inflammation and destruction of the pelvic bone tissue;
- an increased risk of tumors, since the virus causes cell degeneration, especially the cervix in women and the prostate in men;
- infertility and impotence.
From the gastrointestinal tract, pancreatitis is observed. Joints are affected by arthritis, from the circulatory system - multiple thrombosis.
Treatment methods
It is necessary to treat a severe course of herpes in a hospital with antiviral, immunomodulatory, symptomatic drugs. In other cases, home therapy is allowed under the supervision of a physician. Often, at the initial stage, only local treatment with antiviral drugs is used.
Standard treatment regimen
The scheme includes taking the following drugs:
- Antiviral agents (most of them are suitable for any type of herpes): "Zovirax", "Acyclovir", "Valacyclovir" and many others. other. In the USA, herpes is treated with "Dokosanol" (in Russia - "Erazaban"). It is also available in the form of creams. Proteflazid (drops) and Flavosid (syrup) are also indicated for the treatment of herpes simplex.
- Analgesics.
- Immunostimulants - "Polyoxidonium" and "Cycloferon".
- Vitamins.
Local treatment
The ointment must be applied pointwise, with a special pharmacy glass spatula. What does it do? The virus is suppressed, an insulating shell is formed at the site of the virus introduction, it does not allow the virus to crawl further.
The most effective are:
- Valtrex;
- "Acyclovir";
- Famvir;
- Zovirax;
- Panavir-gel;
- Fenistil.
Each drug has a different method of use, so follow the instructions. Take a shower before applying. After applying the ointments, wash your hands again.