According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 90% of the population of developed countries is infected. People often call a rash on the mucous membrane of the lips "colds". For most people, the disease does not cause concern, it proceeds easily, recovery occurs within 5-7 days. However, frequent herpes on the lips indicates deep disturbances in the body. Doctors say that the appearance of an ailment more than 1-2 times a year indicates a weakened immune system. In such cases, it is necessary to undergo a diagnostic examination.
Herpes simplex virus strains are called HSV-1 and HSV-2. The labial form in 95% of cases is caused by HSV-1 herpesvirus - a rash of painful vesicles on the mucous membrane of the lips. The HSV-2 strain causes an infection in which a rash forms on the genitals. But in rare cases, when the pathogen enters through the upper respiratory tract, the virus causes the same clinical picture as in the labial form of the disease.
Infection with the virus leads to damage to the epithelial cells of the upper and lower lips. The causative agent penetrates the genetic material of the cell (nucleus), rearranges its DNA, and multiplies. The emergence of new virions causes the death of the epithelium and the release of the virus from the host cells. The active multiplication of the virus promotes the penetration of the infection into the bloodstream. Pathogens with blood flow are carried into the nerve cells of the spinal ganglia, where they remain throughout a person's life.
At the first contact with the virus, the immune system produces specific antibodies aimed at destroying the infectious agent. The immunity against herpes develops, which restrains the exacerbation of the disease and prevents the appearance of complications. The infection takes on a latent (latent) course. With a decrease in the body's defenses, a relapse of the disease occurs.
First contact with the causative agent
More than 90% of the world's population is infected with the herpes simplex virus. and depends on the child's social activity. If the baby is attending a kindergarten, then a rash on the lip may appear at 3-4 years old. In other children, the primary infection occurs after registration for school. Up to 2 years of age, infection rarely manifests itself rarely, which is associated with the innate immunity of the child received from the mother.
The first contact with the pathogen occurs in early childhood.
Infection occurs from a sick person in the stage of exacerbation of the disease or a carrier of infection:
- by contact through dirty hands, dishes, toys;
- by airborne droplets - through saliva during kissing, sneezing, coughing;
- when breastfeeding a baby.
After the initial penetration of the infection into the body, an acute period of the disease develops, which is accompanied by general malaise, fever, and vesicular. Within 7-10 days, the bubbles open, a crust forms in their place. After peeling off the crust, there is usually no trace left on the lips. With mild to moderate severity of the course of the disease, treatment is not required.
In 3% of people, initial contact with the virus does not cause clinical signs of the disease, and subsequently, an exacerbation of the disease never occurs. This is due to the individual characteristics of the immune system. In the overwhelming majority, the risk of exacerbation of the disease depends on the adverse effects of factors of the external and internal environment, which reduce immunity. "Cold" pops up on the lips of people with chronic diseases and weak immunity.
Why does an exacerbation of herpes infection occur?
Some people note that the "cold" on the lips pops up very often. This causes discomfort, primarily of an aesthetic nature. Rashes of vesicles lead to swelling and redness of the lip, and after opening the vesicles, crusts form. In most cases, recurrence of the infection is accompanied by unbearable itching and pain in the area of the rash. Sometimes an exacerbation of the disease causes a deterioration in the general condition - an increase in body temperature up to 38 degrees, chills, body aches, weakness, decreased performance. All this violates the usual way of life.
Chronic stress is one of the causes of herpes
Causes of frequent herpes on the lips:
- hypothermia;
- overheating (insolation);
- cyclical bleeding in women (menstruation);
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- infections, including seasonal ones (flu, colds);
- violation of the daily routine (insufficient sleep, physical and mental fatigue);
- severe injuries (fractures, sprains, concussion);
- poor nutrition, vitamin deficiency, adherence to strict diets, fasting;
- period of childbearing, breastfeeding;
- uncontrolled intake of antibiotics;
- chemotherapy, radiation therapy in the treatment of oncology;
- alcoholic, drug, nicotine addiction;
- congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies, including HIV / AIDS;
- allergic reactions;
- chronic stress.
Constant exposure to risk factors on the human body always increases the likelihood of a relapse of labial herpes. A decrease in the defenses of the immune system weakens the control over the reproduction of virions in the nerve cells of the spinal ganglia. Viruses enter the bloodstream, settle in the epithelium of the mucous membrane of the lip, and cause the development of clinical manifestations of the disease. Relapse is often easier than the initial infection.
Frequent herpes - a marker of the state of immunity
When asked why herpes often appears on the lips, doctors give an unambiguous answer. The reason for the recurrence of the disease is the inability of the immune system to deactivate the multiplication of virions in the cells of the nervous tissue, blood, and lymphocytes. The immunity of a healthy person restrains the vital activity of the pathogen at the stage of latent existence.
Rare exacerbations of the disease do not pose a health hazard. The appearance of labial herpes more often than 2 times a year increases the risk of generalization of the infection. In such cases, it is necessary to pay more attention to preventive measures, to treat chronic diseases, to consult a doctor about the correction of immunity.
By the frequency of relapses of labial herpes, one can indirectly judge the state of the immune system:
- long periods of remission (more than 5 years) - evidence in favor of strong immunity;
- exacerbation 1-2 times a year - considered a variant of the norm;
- exacerbation 3-6 times a year - associated with the development of moderate immunodeficiency;
- exacerbation more than 6 times a year - indicates severe immunosuppression.
Frequent herpes is an indicator of immunodeficiency. To confirm the pathology, you must consult a specialist. The doctor will prescribe laboratory examinations and therapy based on the results of diagnostics.
Prevention of exacerbation of herpes
Now you know what causes a relapse of herpes infection. Each exacerbation is associated with a decrease in the work of immunity, and this adversely affects the functioning of the whole organism. To maintain health and longevity, it is important to know and observe preventive measures aimed at preventing the recurrence of pathology. What if the virus is constantly in the body and is ready to "crawl" out?
Prevention of primary infection in practice is not feasible. The source of infection can be a carrier of infection without clinical manifestations of the disease. Moreover, the first contact with the virus can be considered as a vaccination against subsequent infection. Immunity produces antibodies that keep the sex in control of the multiplication of infection in the body and prevent the development of complications.
Secondary prevention of exacerbation of the disease is simple and accessible to everyone. General health measures will not only eliminate persistent herpes on the lips, but also reduce the likelihood of other diseases.
Regardless of the season, the daily diet should include fresh vegetables, herbs, fruits, berries. These products contain essential vitamins, macro- and microelements that strengthen the body's defenses. Fermented milk products, cheese, yoghurts normalize intestinal microflora and improve local immunity.
Physical activity
Feasible physical activity - walking in the fresh air, morning exercises, physical education and sports, jogging will strengthen the immune system and will not allow the "cold" to pop out on the lips.
Respect for health
It is important to avoid situations of hypothermia or overheating. Dress for the weather, do not get carried away with tanning, wear a hat in cold and sunny weather.
The correct method of hardening (rubbing, dousing, winter swimming) gradually strengthens the immune system and reduces the risk of herpes recurrence even under adverse environmental conditions.
Hardening as prevention of herpes
Timely treatment of chronic diseases
Prevention and adequate therapy of chronic diseases does not allow the body's protective reserves to be depleted.
If you adhere to the prevention of the disease, then the likelihood of herpes popping out on the lips will be minimized. Means of specific prophylaxis include a vaccine against herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 "Vitagerpavak". It is advisable to vaccinate with a frequent exacerbation of the disease during the period of remission against the background of a course of therapy with cycloferon. The vaccine does not exclude the development of infection, but facilitates the course of the disease and prevents the appearance of complications.
Therapeutic tactics
When a relapse of the disease occurs, in most cases, local treatment is prescribed - lubricating the site of the rash with antiviral ointments or gels. Medicines are most effective early in the infection before blistering. Lubricating the lips over burning and itching areas can prevent rashes and greatly speed up recovery. The use of antiviral ointments after the appearance of vesicles, accelerates the healing period, has an analgesic effect, and prevents scarring.
- Acyclovir;
- Famciclovir;
- Zovirax;
- Panavir gel.
To increase the defenses of the immune system, injections of specific immunoglobulin and interferon preparations are recommended. In a severe course of the disease with the development of complications from the internal organs (pneumonia, encephalitis, myocarditis), the treatment of the disease is carried out after hospitalization in a hospital.
Primary herpes is inevitable, but an exacerbation of the infection can be avoided. To maintain the normal functioning of the immune system, it is necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle, consult a doctor in a timely manner when the first symptoms of the disease occur.
