Briefly about herpes: what causes rashes and how to deal with them?

Many people are familiar with the unpleasant manifestations of herpes. This is not surprising, because according to WHO, more than 78% of the world's population is infected with the most common types of the virus: 67% are infected with herpes simplex virus type 1, and another 11% with herpes simplex virus type 2.

What is herpes, what causes it, why is it dangerous, and how should it be treated? Having knowledge about the disease, you can minimize the risk of its exacerbation, and most importantly, avoid complications.

Herpes on the lips

Herpes is a virus

The source of the disease is the so-called herpes viruses. These are DNA-containing microorganisms that are causative agents of various types of infections.

The initial entry of the virus into the body usually occurs through the mucous membranes (although entry through damaged skin is not excluded). Having overcome tissue barriers, harmful microorganisms enter the blood and lymph and spread throughout the body. They are able to penetrate the cells of internal organs and nerve endings. The peculiarity and danger of herpes is that it is genetically introduced into the nucleus of nerve cells, after which it remains in the body forever.

Many people do not even realize that they are carriers of the virus, since the pathology in most cases is asymptomatic, not showing itself in any way (this is called a latent state).

The human immune system is capable of suppressing the development of the virus, but if it is weakened, the infection “awakens.”

Herpes Virus

Effect of pregnancy on virus incubation

Often, women who are in the period of bearing a child ask their attending physicians about how the incubation of herpes changes during pregnancy.

It is quite difficult to predict changes in this case.

On the one hand, the body does everything to protect the woman herself, as well as her unborn baby, from negative external influences, including viral particles.

On the other hand, pregnancy is a condition of a woman’s body, accompanied by severe immunosuppression.

Otherwise, bearing a fetus would simply be impossible.

Often it is immunosuppression that prevails in the female body.

As a result, the length of time it takes herpes from entering the body to developing symptoms is significantly shortened. It is also worth considering that herpes is quite capable of penetrating the placenta, leading to infection of the child.

Sometimes it leads to the development of congenital pathologies of varying severity.

Symptoms of different types of herpes

A “sleeping” virus may not bother its host for years. But if for some reason the virus enters the active phase, it is easy to recognize - by its characteristic rashes. The “classic” visual sign of herpes is itchy, watery blisters that can appear in different places - on the face and on the body.

There are several types of herpes virus - they differ in their manifestations. Most often in medical practice, diagnoses such as HSV-1 and HSV-2 are encountered - this is the abbreviated name for herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2.

Cold sores and chicken pox are related diseases caused by herpes. Several types of the virus can “coexist” in one person.

The influence of HIV infection on the incubation period of herpes

Another common question is how the duration of incubation changes during HIV infection.

There is nothing surprising in such a question.

After all, the human immunodeficiency virus is becoming increasingly common in medical practice today.

Much in this case depends on how strongly the patient’s immunity is suppressed.

For example, if a patient regularly takes HIV medications and his lymphocyte levels remain normal, the incubation period may remain within the standard range.

If the patient ignores the doctor’s recommendations and refuses medications, the level of his defense system drops to catastrophic levels.

The result is predictable: the period of time is greatly shortened.

The disease makes itself felt much earlier than if HIV were controlled or completely absent from the body.

Herpes - what causes it?

The risk of contracting an infection arises from a very early age, because there are a huge number of adults around a small child, most of whom are carriers of herpes. Infection can also occur in the womb of an infected mother.

So, what can cause herpes on the lips? Children (and adults) often become infected through kissing, as well as through sharing utensils. If you are near a person with herpes who coughs or sneezes, there is a high risk of infection through airborne droplets. In addition, the virus is transmitted sexually (primarily this concerns HSV-2). People who receive blood transfusions are also at risk.

Fortunately, most people infected with the herpes virus (about 80%) have an inactive form of the infection. However, there are factors that provoke a relapse - then the “sleeping” virus begins to actively multiply. So, some people regularly suffer from sores on their lips - the hated “cold” can appear 5-10 times a year. The cause of recurrence of the disease may be:

• diseases – endocrine, viral and bacterial;
• hypothermia;
• stress;
• exhaustion of the body;
• overwork;
• injuries;
• metabolic disorders.

In women, another provoking factor is menstruation.

Is there any prevention against herpes?

To resist the virus, you need a strong immune system. Therefore, those who suffer from frequent colds on the lips need to pay attention to their immune system. Take care of a healthy, balanced diet, do not forget about sports, maintain a normal daily schedule (first of all, ensure that you get adequate sleep) and try to get rid of bad habits (smoking, etc.).

It is important to practice basic hygiene, including regular hand washing. It is recommended to use personal hygiene products. During infectious epidemics, it is advisable to avoid staying in crowded places if possible.

To reduce the risk of genital herpes, you should use condoms.

How to find out if there is a virus?

Already during the initial examination of the patient, the doctor can determine the presence of herpes (often people who have visual manifestations of the disease seek medical help). But in order to confirm the diagnosis and determine the degree of development of the infection, laboratory tests are prescribed.

Tests are important when planning pregnancy, since the virus is dangerous to the fetus. Tests are also required for patients preparing for transplantation.

There are several diagnostic methods - which one will be optimal in a particular case, the doctor will tell you. The presence of the herpes virus and its type can be determined by blood tests (enzyme immunoassay, PCR analysis, immunofluorescence reaction) and scrapings (culture method, immunofluorescence reaction). The most accurate, but also the most time-consuming and expensive method is the cultural method, which involves “growing” a virus obtained from a patient’s biomaterial in laboratory conditions.

Diagnosis of herpes

How does herpes simplex develop?

1. It all starts with itching and/or tingling in the place where herpes develops - as we have already found out, most often this is the area of ​​the nasolabial triangle. The skin turns red and begins to itch.
2. Next, the stage of inflammation begins. Swelling appears in the affected area and a small, painful pimple appears - a blister containing clear liquid. Over time, this liquid becomes cloudy. A small pimple(s) gradually increases in size.
3. The blisters burst 3–5 days after the onset of the disease. A liquid flows from them, containing an uncountable number of viral particles. During this period, contact with a sick person should be stopped, since the risk of infection is very high. At the site of the rash, ulcers with a purulent crust (scabs) form. When the scab is damaged, bleeding begins.

A natural question for every patient is, how many days does it take for herpes to go away? This usually takes about 10 days. If symptoms do not disappear during this time, you should see a doctor, since herpes can signal the presence of other diseases.

Herpes ointment

What to do if herpes incubation takes a very long time

Doctors have long noticed that not all patients develop herpes according to the standard pattern.

This fact further complicates treatment during the incubation period.

It is worth keeping in mind: if the patient has a strong body, an active immune system, symptoms of the disease may not appear for a very, very long time.

Do you need to worry if there are no symptoms of the disease, although they should be, since infection has definitely occurred?

Until rashes begin to appear, the patient can be calm about his health.

Herpes is not an infection that undermines the body unnoticed.

Its symptoms are quite vivid and difficult to ignore.

If there are no symptoms, then the virus is dormant and does not pose a threat to the body.

Since it is completely impossible to remove a pathogenic microorganism from the body, all that remains is to make efforts to prevent it from becoming more active.

Possible complications

The herpes virus should not be perceived as an unpleasant but harmless “sore.” This is a rather insidious disease that poses a particular danger to pregnant women, infants and people with weakened immune systems (patients with cancer, people with HIV and AIDS).

The virus is not limited to superficial tissues - it easily penetrates into internal ones. The main targets of herpes are the mucous membranes, skin, eyes (conjunctivitis can also be a consequence of herpes), as well as the central nervous system and brain. Lymph nodes and internal organs can be affected by the virus. Due to the fault of the pathogenic microorganism, the functioning of the liver, lungs, intestines and kidneys can be disrupted.

The consequences of herpes can be stomatitis, infertility, miscarriage, congenital deformities in children, encephalitis, inflammation in the joints, prostatitis, benign and malignant tumors. Scientists, based on research, associate the development of multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's disease with herpes.

If a person’s immune system is weakened, other infections, both viral and bacterial, can “join” herpes, and this, in turn, puts an increased burden on the heart.

How does primary infection occur?

Often, the initial infection with a herpes infection has no symptoms and is not noticeable. But it happens that complications appear along with herpes:

• gingivostomatitis - inflammation of the oral mucosa and gums;
• an increase in temperature, accompanied by the appearance of blisters and ulcers in the mouth;
• herpetic panaritium (inflammation of the finger tissue) - the infection can spread to the fingers if they are pulled into the mouth;
• rashes can occur throughout the oral cavity, affecting the gums, which turn red and bleed. The child refuses to eat because the process becomes painful.

Which doctor's help might be needed for herpes?

With the questions “what causes herpes to constantly appear on the lips” and “I’m tormented by herpes - what to do?” You can contact your therapist first. He will subsequently refer you to an infectious disease specialist or dermatologist (if we are talking about an oral virus). Patients with a genital infection should see a gynecologist (women) or a urologist (men). Since the pathology may be associated with diseases of the internal organs, you may need to consult a gastroenterologist, hepatologist or pulmonologist.

How to treat herpes?

It is impossible to completely destroy a virus that has entered the body. But it is quite possible to suppress its activity so much that it does not bother you. In modern medicine, an integrated approach is used for this. The best results are obtained by combination therapy, which involves the use of antiviral drugs (they are available in the form of drugs for internal use and in the form of external agents), as well as drugs that strengthen the immune system. In some cases, the patient is additionally prescribed local analgesics and physiotherapeutic procedures.

Many people are interested in whether it is possible to burn herpes with alcohol? Alas, this method does not affect the virus, but only damages the mucous membranes, so it is better to use special ointments.

What remedies are usually prescribed for herpes on the lips? The table shows a list of the most common medications used to treat the virus.

The presented list of drugs is far from complete - the doctor, depending on the characteristics of a particular patient, may recommend other drugs. For example, in some cases antibiotics cannot be avoided (if there is a risk of contracting other infections).

Features of preventing herpes after infection

Patients who think they are in the incubation period will certainly ask the doctor a question.

What to do to ensure that the disease does not develop fully, but remains in a dormant state.

There really aren't many options.

Firstly, the effectiveness of prevention with Valvir and Valtrex has been proven.

These drugs are taken orally in tablet form and can inhibit the activity of viral particles.

The main thing is to take them according to the doctor-recommended regimen.

However, herpes is a virus that cannot be gotten rid of once and for all.

Today such drugs simply do not exist.

Therefore, for example, the PCR reaction may remain positive during diagnostic examinations.

Doctors additionally note that you should not rely only on medications.

Measures must be taken to increase the overall level of immunity.

To do this, they use immunostimulants, lead a healthy lifestyle, follow a light diet, and engage in physical activity.