Herpes - types, characteristics, methods of treatment. How to cure herpes forever and is it possible to get rid of a herpes infection? Signs of multiple sclerosis include

Description of herpes simplex

Herpes simplex is a common viral disease in which rashes appear on the mucous membranes or skin of a person in the form of multiple clusters of bubbles.

According to medical statistics, at the moment, about 90% of the world's inhabitants are infected with the herpes virus type 1 and 2.

The causative agent of this pathology is the herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2. After overcoming the skin barrier, the virus moves through the blood and lymphatic channels and thus reaches the tissues of the internal organs. There, the virus enters the nerve ganglia, invading the human genetic apparatus. After that, it is impossible to remove the virus from the body completely. The mechanisms of reproduction of the herpes virus are the same as for any DNA-containing viruses. That is, the virus, entering the cell, triggers a productive or lytic type of disease. Infected areas can become inflamed, and after the body destroys the virus along with its cells, microscopic foci of necrosis form in the affected area.

The incubation period for herpes simplex usually lasts 1-26 days.

It is noteworthy that the causes of herpes simplex activation are stress, chronic diseases, beriberi, etc.

The most common is herpes simplex on the lips.

This form of the disease is popularly called the "cold labium", although the herpes simplex infection has nothing to do with a real cold. Often, herpes is also found on the genitals of a person.

According to studies conducted by scientists from Colombia, Alzheimer's disease may be a consequence of herpes simplex. In 70% of patients, herpes simplex type 1 is found in the brain tissues. In addition, 90% of the plaques in the brain of patients contain antigens of the herpes simplex virus.

As a rule, the herpes simplex virus type 1 is the cause of the following diseases:

• acute herpetic stomatitis. As a rule, a person encounters it in childhood at the first infection. The incubation period of the disease in this case can last up to 5 days. Damage to the mucous membranes resulting from tissue damage by the virus heals after 2-3 weeks;
• Kaposi's rash. The disease has symptoms similar to chicken pox. In some cases, it can be fatal;
• keratoconjunctivitis. With simple recurrent herpes in this form of the disease, the patient may experience clouding of the eye, which in turn can lead to blindness;
• encephalitis caused by the herpes simplex virus is a disease characterized by a high risk of death. In the case of recovery, the patient remains some neurological impairment;
• labialis is the most common form of herpes type 1 manifestation. The rash in this case is formed at the junction of the skin and mucous membranes. After healing, it does not leave scars on the body.

In turn, the herpes simplex virus type 2 can be dried as follows:

• simple genital herpes, which is characterized by frequent relapses;
• herpes simplex virus in a newborn - occurs when a mother infects a child during childbirth. In some cases, it can be fatal;
• herpes simplex virus during pregnancy can cause serious consequences.

However, any type of herpes simplex virus can infect both areas of the human body (for example, after orogenital intercourse).

It is important to note that the herpes simplex virus is dangerous not only for humans. It often causes various diseases in dogs, rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, etc.

The choice of a specialist who will treat the disease largely depends on the area in which tissue damage has occurred, and in what form the herpes simplex virus occurs. So, simple and herpes zoster of the skin is treated by a dermatologist, treatment of genital herpes is carried out by gynecologists, andrologists and urologists. With ophthalmic herpes, the help of an ophthalmologist may be required, and with herpes of the oral cavity, a dentist.

Since herpes simplex usually manifests itself against the background of reduced immunity, it will not be superfluous to consult an immunologist. He will determine the reason for the decrease in the body's defenses, and give the necessary recommendations.

Ways of infection

The herpes simplex virus is transmitted through contact with rashes or natural fluids. However, in some cases, the virus is also transmitted through skin contact of a healthy person with a carrier of the virus. Often in the initial stages, the disease cannot be detected independently without the use of laboratory research methods. Most often, infection with type 1 virus occurs in childhood, while herpes simplex occurs only after the onset of intimate life.

At a temperature of 23-26 degrees and average humidity in the room, the herpes virus can be in an active state throughout the day. At a temperature of 50-55 degrees, it dies in half an hour, and at a temperature of -70 degrees it can live for about 5 days. On metal objects (for example, on money, door handles), the virus lives for about 2 hours, while on clean medical wet cotton wool for up to 6 hours.

immunity to herpes

Children under 6 months of age have antibodies to the virus in their bodies, which were passed on to them from their mothers. However, during the first years of life, they are quickly used up. Therefore, the child's body becomes most susceptible to the effects of the virus between the ages of 6 months and 2 years.

In the blood and mucous membranes of patients who have recovered from the herpes simplex virus, IgG and special antibodies are found that drive the virus into a "sleeping" state and prevent it from developing further.

herpes in pregnant women

Any type of virus can pose a danger to a pregnant woman and her fetus. As you know, the herpes simplex virus is found in large quantities in the environment, so it carries a special danger.

Of both types of herpes, type 1 is considered less dangerous, since it has been in the body of patients since childhood. This means that the body has developed IgG and natural killers for herpes simplex, which help the body protect the fetus from the virus and keep its amount at a low level.

Herpes simplex type 2 is more dangerous. So, if a woman has a primary infection, then she has a risk of intrauterine infection of the fetus. If she has been sick with this type of virus for a long time, and she has frequent exacerbations, then there is a possibility of infection of the child during childbirth. That is why women with herpes simplex virus are advised to have a caesarean section.

The biggest threat is the herpes simplex virus type 2, if it entered the body of a woman when she was already pregnant. After all, it is not for nothing that this virus is classified as having a sharply negative effect on the fetus.

So, herpes simplex during pregnancy for less than 13 weeks can lead to miscarriage, in the second trimester - to fetal malformations, and before childbirth can cause severe inflammation of the pelvic organs.

However, the herpes virus does not interfere with conception, provided that the intimate organs were not affected due to the disease, and this did not lead to infertility.

In order to avoid various complications, before planning a pregnancy, a woman is recommended to do PCR for the herpes simplex virus.

Symptoms

Herpes simplex is one of the most common viral diseases caused by 2 serotypes of the pathogen.

With the first type of virus with herpes simplex, a person is in fact in contact from birth, and by 18 months it is present in a latent form in the body of almost everyone. Herpes simplex shows symptoms on the skin and mucous membranes of the lips, nose, eyelids, and in the oral mucosa. A virus of the second type can only be contracted through sexual contact, with rashes on the genitals being observed, after which it also goes into a latent form.

Knowledge of the symptoms of herpes simplex is necessary in order to identify this disease as early as possible and begin its treatment. Usually, herpes simplex shows symptoms due to a decrease in the body's defenses. Often this happens against the background of hypothermia, which gives grounds in everyday speech to identify the first type virus with a “cold”. Also provoking factors are overheating, stress, various infectious diseases that weaken the immune system (including HIV).

In the typical development of herpes simplex, 4 stages can be distinguished, which correspond to local symptoms of the disease:

• 1 stage. On the lips, tongue, corners of the mouth, in other areas, itching, tingling sensations appear, then redness of the skin and mucous membranes appears.
• 2 stage. The next day, in the area of ​​redness, in the absence of adequate treatment, small bubbles appear (at first transparent, then with cloudy contents), the itching decreases. The number of bubbles can reach 10 or more.
• 3 stage. The bubble bursts, the fluid with the multiplied herpes simplex virus flows out and an ulcer forms. The site of injury becomes painful.
• 4 stage. The sores are covered with a crust, skin damage is combined with pain.

All stages and symptoms of virus reproduction in herpes simplex can be repeated many times, and the vesicles can merge into one larger one. In this case, the area of ​​the rash becomes edematous.

With the primary infection with the herpes simplex virus, the symptoms are more pronounced. The period after contact with a sick person is usually from one to eight days, after which chills, headaches, malaise are noted, the temperature in some cases reaches 39-40 ° C. Redness, then a rash appears on the surface of the lips, tongue, it is unlikely in the sky, tonsils and arches. Lymph nodes in the submandibular areas may increase. In children with significantly reduced immunity, the virus can also damage internal organs. On average, the duration of the disease is seven to ten days, but in the presence of a bacterial infection it is prolonged.

The resulting relapses in herpes simplex occur with similar symptoms, but in a milder form. The frequency of occurrence of the disease is different: from once every few years, to three or four times within one month. Herpes simplex virus without the development of external symptoms is not contagious.

The herpes simplex virus in the mouth, called herpetic stomatitis, has other symptoms. A specific rash appears on the inner surface of the lips, cheeks, gums, and palate. Within an hour or two, superficial sores open and appear. The next day, a whitish coating appears on their surface. In the oral cavity, one of the symptoms of the development of herpes simplex against the background of rashes is soreness and increased production of saliva.

When the foci of inflammation are infected, the symptoms of herpes simplex after the vesicles dry out are aggravated by the appearance of large crusts with a layered brown structure. The treatment process with this course of the disease is delayed, if symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, scarring is possible.

Sometimes an edematous form can develop, in which at the site of the introduction of the herpes simplex virus (more often on the lips, eyelids, genitals), a pronounced edema occurs against the background of normal symptoms. This form, with frequent relapses, creates a state of persistent swelling of the lesions.

The combination of manifestations of the disease in different parts of the body often occurs with a pronounced decrease in immunity.

In women, the symptoms of a recurrence of herpes simplex are often combined with the menstrual cycle. Frequent recurrences of genital herpes simplex can cause difficulties in maintaining a normal sexual life with the onset of symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders.

Penetration of the herpes simplex virus can occur at the sites of damage in skin diseases: pemphigus, ichthyosis, and thermal burns of the skin. In this case, the main symptom is extensive skin erosion, and with the addition of a secondary infection, abscesses.

Symptoms of the erosive-ulcerative form of herpes simplex are characterized by the appearance of long-term non-healing ulcers that do not have seals after opening the vesicles with typical polycyclic outlines. Pronounced pain sensations are noted.

One of the rare forms of herpes simplex is herpetic folliculitis, which develops against the background of HIV infection. Its symptoms can be called multiple vesicles, which quickly open and become covered with brownish crusts. It occurs only in men in the region of the lips and chin.

At the same time, there are forms of herpes simplex, in which the disease stops at the initial stage. Symptoms in this case may be limited to:

• itchy red spots with close to rounded contours that disappear in 3-4 days
• single bubbles
• short-term itching passing in 1-2 days.

With doubtful symptoms of herpes simplex, especially with genital localization, PCR (polymerase chain reaction technique) or RIF (immunofluorescence reaction) are used to detect the virus. However, these techniques are not cheap and are used only when absolutely necessary.

For treatment, antiviral drugs are used, which reduce the symptoms of herpes simplex, but do not completely destroy the virus. It also improves immunity and treats major diseases.

Treatment of herpes simplex in order to obtain a lasting result, the earliest relief of symptoms, should be comprehensive and carried out by a specialist doctor. This is also true because more serious health problems can be hidden behind the manifestations of herpes.

Diagnostics

If you suspect that you have a disease similar to herpes, immediately go to the hospital, where you will be assigned to do the necessary tests and make the correct diagnosis.

Diagnosis of herpes simplex consists of taking an anamnesis (survey), examination and laboratory diagnostics.

The collection of anamnesis is carried out by a doctor. During the examination, an element (vesicle, or vesicle) is detected, rising above the level of the skin, containing a clear liquid (hemispherical in shape with rounded outlines). When dried, the bubbles form crusts. If the vesicle is damaged, a small surface defect remains, which disappears without a trace over time. The herpes virus of the first type affects, as a rule, the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and pharynx, eyes, and can cause encephalitis. The second type of herpes virus is localized in the genital area. Nowadays, due to the diversity of the sexual life of people, there are cases of detection of HSV-2 in places characteristic of HSV-1 and vice versa. These mutated viruses are more resistant and difficult to treat.

After examination, the doctor prescribes the necessary tests for delivery to the laboratory. None of the modern methods of diagnosing viral diseases gives a full guarantee about this disease. Therefore, it is necessary to resort to the use of at least two diagnostic methods or to conduct repeated studies.

For laboratory diagnosis of herpes simplex, it is necessary to take the following materials for analysis: blood, saliva, the contents of herpetic vesicles, smears from the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, pharynx, cervical canal and urethra.

Later, the resulting liquids are examined for the content of the herpes simplex virus in them. Diagnosis can be carried out by the following methods: microscopic, molecular biological, cultural and serological.

microscopic method. The resulting smears are stained with special dyes. In the presence of the herpes simplex virus, giant multinucleated cells are found. The amount of cytoplasm in them is increased, in the nuclei there are Caudy inclusions, which are clumps of marginal chromatin. However, this study has a low diagnostic specificity, since this method cannot distinguish HSV from other types of herpes. The sensitivity is about 60%. At present, this study is not reliable.

cultural method. This type of research consists of several stages. First, material is taken from the patient (mainly the contents of the vesicles), presumably containing the virus. Then either they infect a laboratory animal, or (most often) bring it into a special cell culture or chicken embryo. A day later, infected animals show symptoms of the disease. After 2-3 days, changes begin to occur in the cell layers: they are rounded, form huge cells with atypical inclusions in the nucleus and many nucleoli. On the second day, plaques 2-3 mm in size are formed in the chicken embryo. For better visibility, they are painted with a neutral red. In the presence of the above changes, the analysis for the herpes simplex virus is considered positive. This method is accurate, however, it is long and expensive.

Molecular biological method. This method includes the polymerization chain reaction (PCR). With the help of this reaction, it is possible to identify the pathogen in a blood test, sputum, saliva, urine, the contents of vesicles, and cerebrospinal fluid. DNA is separated from the material obtained from the patient. Then the fragments specific for this virus are repeatedly copied and the results are recorded. This study is the method of choice due to its high accuracy. PCR is able to distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2 and determine the amount of herpes simplex virus, which makes it possible to use this method both for diagnosis and for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment.

If there is even a minimal amount of HSV in the obtained material, the reaction becomes positive, in the absence - negative.

Serological method. Used more often than others. As a research material, blood serum is mainly taken. Diagnosis is based on the detection of antigens (specific viral proteins) and antibodies (specific immune complexes of the body) to the herpes simplex virus. Antibodies are protein complexes that are produced by blood cells. When a pathogen enters the body, antibodies bind to it and activate it after a while.

In HSV disease, the focus is on three types of antibodies: M, G to early proteins and G to late proteins. Antibody M appears in the blood a week after the infection with the herpes virus and indicates an acute, first-time infection. In some people, this protein may be found when an old infection recurs. Antibody G - an indicator of a chronic disease, appears in the body 14-21 days after the disease. Its different concentrations indicate either the transition of the disease to the chronic stage, or the low resistance of the body, or recovery.

The serological method allows you to determine the amount of the virus and control the increase in its titers in the blood, which makes it possible to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. For this, sera taken at intervals of 7-14 days are examined. This diagnostic method is based on RNIF and ELISA.

The indirect immunofluorescence test (IRIF) is a highly sensitive and specific method. It is based on the binding of antigen + antibody complexes and the subsequent attachment of fluorochrome-labeled antibodies specific to specific antibodies to the antigens of herpes viruses. Subsequently, when glowing with ultraviolet light, complexes are determined that can be counted.

Enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) has high accuracy and specificity, about 100%. For the diagnosis of HSV, two methods of conducting ELISA are used: with a labeled antigen and with a labeled antibody.

In the labeled antigen assay, a herpes antigen with a special label is added to the available serum. If there were antibodies in the serum, antigen+antibody complexes are formed. After that, the tools are washed and specific enzymes are added to them that can react with these complexes. Then the reaction takes place and the samples are stained. The titer of antibodies in the blood is judged by the brightness of the colored substance.

The reaction with labeled antibody is more difficult. Labeled antibodies are added after an unlabeled antigen+antibody substrate has already formed. In this case, a new complex is formed, where the antigen is surrounded by two antibodies. This arrangement improves the quality of the ELISA reaction, which helps to detect antibodies even at their low content.

If the analysis is positive for antibodies M, G to primary proteins and G to secondary proteins, this indicates an initial acute form of the disease. If the analysis is negative for these types of antibodies, the person has never had a herpes simplex virus. If the test is positive for antibodies M and negative for antibodies G to primary proteins and G to secondary proteins, it can be concluded that the disease has arisen more recently. If the analysis is negative for antibodies M and positive for antibodies G to primary proteins and G to secondary proteins - either the second half of the initial acute infection, or an exacerbation (relapse) of herpes disease. If the analysis for M antibodies and G antibodies to primary proteins is negative, and G antibodies to secondary proteins are positive, a strong immunity against the herpes simplex virus has been developed.

The disease can be judged by the percentage of G antibodies. The presence of G antibodies of more than 60% indicates that the person is a carrier of the infection, and the disease has passed into the chronic stage. If the amount of G antibodies is 50-60% - the transition of the disease from the acute stage to the chronic stage, it is necessary to repeat the study in two weeks. The absence of these antibodies suggests that the person has never had the herpes simplex virus.

The decoding of the analysis is carried out in the laboratory. Diagnosis and diagnosis is carried out exclusively by a doctor.

Treatment

The treatment of herpes simplex has always been and remains an urgent problem. This is due to the fact that the majority of the world's population (about 90%) are infected with this virus.

Unfortunately, today no drug is able to completely remove the virus from the body, so all treatment of herpes simplex is reduced to eliminating the symptoms of the disease.

The herpes simplex virus may require different treatment depending on the location of the tissues affected by the virus.

However, in any case, in the treatment of the disease, doctors pursue the following goals:

• reduction of the period of exacerbation of the disease;
• reduction in the severity of symptoms;
• reduction in the number of relapses;
• prevention of infection of the fetus during pregnancy;
• preventive measures aimed at reducing the risk of complications in children born to an infected mother.

Treatment of herpes with medicines

It is important to note that today there are two types of drugs on the pharmaceutical market. Some of them have a wide spectrum of action, that is, they perform all the necessary functions, while others belong to a highly specialized group, that is, they perform any one function.

According to the form of release, such drugs are divided into drugs for external use (ointments, creams, gels) and internal (tablets, syrups).

As a treatment for recurrent herpes, doctors often recommend that their patients use immunostimulating drugs.

For the treatment of herpes simplex, in no case is it recommended to use monotherapy, since in this case it is extremely ineffective. Doctors usually recommend monotherapy for exacerbation of the disease.

So, long-term use of antiviral drugs and the use of ointments as a permanent treatment can lead to the fact that the patient will fall into a vicious circle, from which it will subsequently be quite difficult to get out. If at this time the patient also has stressful situations in his life, then the disease can become very aggravated.

At the same time, complex therapy will help in the shortest possible time to remove the unpleasant symptoms of the disease and lead to a long and stable remission.

As a rule, the treatment of herpes simplex requires the use of suppressor drugs. The use of these drugs for 5-7 days will help the patient significantly reduce the concentration of the virus in the body.

After this period, the doctor may prescribe immunotherapeutic drugs to the patient, which are available in the form of recombinant alpha interferons, as well as immunomodulating agents. Quite often used to treat herpes simplex igG (immunoglobulins). The duration of treatment with these drugs largely depends on the neglect of the disease and the state of the patient's immunity.

In advanced cases, the dosage of these drugs increases, in addition, the duration of their use can increase up to 10 days. After relief is achieved, for a stable remission, patients are recommended to administer a herpes inactivated vaccine. Thus, the patient will be able to reliably record the achieved result.

It is important to note that the effectiveness of this vaccine depends on the state of immunity, as well as the number of times it is used. This vaccine is administered intradermally. After its use, the skin at the injection site resembles an "orange peel". It is very important to carry out this vaccination, observing the deadlines, because otherwise the entire many-month course of treatment will go down the drain.

Despite the fact that the introduction of the vaccine does not cause difficulties, health workers should still carry out this procedure.

At the moment, a new Russian herpes drug, Gerpferon, is widely used. Its active components are acyclovir and interferon.

Treatment for herpes simplex virus largely depends on the type of virus. Thus, the treatment of the second type of herpes simplex virus should include the use of various creams and ointments, which include components that inhibit the reproduction of the virus.

Treatment of herpes with non-drug methods

In addition, in the treatment of type 2 herpes, doctors often use non-drug treatments such as, for example, ozone therapy. Thus, specialists can improve the patient's condition, as well as significantly reduce the period of taking medication.

Moreover, if the patient has not too pronounced signs of a herpes infection in the body, then ozone therapy can even be used instead of a course of immunostimulants and antiviral drugs.

In the treatment of herpes, doctors use subcutaneous microinjections from an ozone-oxygen mixture. In addition, the treatment of herpes simplex type 2 may include autohemoozone therapy. The essence of this procedure is to take venous blood and further enrich it with an ozone-oxygen mixture. After that, the patient's blood is again injected into the vein. To eliminate the unpleasant symptoms caused by herpes infection, the patient needs to undergo 8-10 procedures of autohemoozone therapy, which should be performed 2-3 times a week.

For herpes simplex virus type 1, treatment may include laser therapy. This method is very simple, convenient and at the same time effective.

How to treat herpes simplex with a laser? During this procedure, the doctor acts with a special apparatus with infrared radiation on the affected tissues. Laser therapy can be used at any stage of herpes treatment, however, the greatest results can be achieved if the treatment of herpes simplex is started at the initial stages. If laser treatment began to be carried out even at the moment when the patient had just begun to feel itching and burning, then the development of the pathological process can be eliminated after the first procedure. After exposure to the affected areas with a laser, regeneration of the skin occurs as soon as possible.

Treatment of herpes in children

Treatment of herpes simplex in children can be different. It all depends on the form in which the disease occurs in the child.

Most often, doctors prescribe antiviral drugs for external and internal use for children. It is advisable to start treatment of herpes simplex in children immediately at the first signs of the disease. Otherwise, the disease may lead to complications.

If herpes is severe and accompanied by fever, and treatment with antiviral drugs does not help, then in this case, the doctor may prescribe human immunoglobulins against the herpes simplex virus.

If herpes has become too common in a child, then he may need the help of an immunologist. If necessary, the doctor will give recommendations that can significantly improve the immunity of the baby.

A woman can also treat herpes simplex in a child with folk remedies. However, before that, she should consult a doctor. Only a specialist can advise how to treat the herpes simplex virus with herbs.

During the period of exacerbation of the disease, the child should take a shower several times a day and wash his hands as often as possible. If a child has herpes simplex, the prevention of the disease in family members should be to use a separate washcloth, towels and utensils. With herpetic lesions of the oral cavity, the child should not injure the sores with the tongue.

Medications

Treatment of herpes simplex (with the exception of complicated and severe course) is carried out on an outpatient basis (at home). The main key link is the herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2, which causes herpes simplex. Medicines used during treatment can be divided into 2 groups:

• Influencing the etiological factor (on the virus) is the most important link in the treatment.
• Influencing the pathogenetic and symptomatic factor - NSAIDs, dehydration, glucocorticosteroids.

The drugs of choice in the treatment of herpes simplex are antiviral agents, in particular acyclovir (Zovirax, Virolex, Antivir), valaciclovir, alpizarin. They directly affect the etiological factor and suppress the reproduction (replication) of the virus.

Acyclovir (after activation - acyclovir triphosphate), interacting with DNA polymerase, leads to suppression of the synthesis of DNA of the virus, which disrupts its replication. Acyclovir has few side effects, is practically non-toxic to the body in adequate doses. For herpes simplex, it can be used topically, orally (by mouth) and parenterally (intravenously).

Topically applied in the form of an ointment, treating the affected area of ​​the skin 4-5 times a day until the symptoms of the disease disappear.

Inside it is applied 4-5 times a day for 8-9 days at a dosage of 200 mg - for both adults and children. Acyclovir can also be used for prophylaxis when the disease often recurs. Usually, frequent recurrence is associated with seasonality and a general decrease in immunity (autumn-winter period), when herpes simplex appears against the background or after being ill with other infections.

Intravenous (parenteral) dosage is about 20-30 mg per 1 kg of human body weight per day. Intravenous administration is usually indicated for the complicated course of herpes simplex, herpetic encephalitis and is not used for the usual course of the disease. With neonatal herpes (from birth to 3 months inclusive), the dose is 10 mg / kg 3 times a day. The dose and course is determined by the doctor individually, on average, the treatment lasts 10 days.

Other derivatives of acyclovir, such as valacyclovir, famciclovir, are used less frequently, due to their lower effectiveness, however, they are also used. It should be noted that valaciclovir has greater bioavailability than acyclovir, but less pronounced antiherpes effects. Penciclovir is used only topically.

Vidarabine, as an antiviral drug, has the same spectrum of activity as acyclovir. It is most effective in herpetic keratitis and is a "reserve" drug for herpetic encephalitis. However, vidarabine is much more toxic than acyclovir, and its action can be aggravated by such side effects as dizziness, incoordination, and convulsions.

In addition to antiviral, endogenous interferon inducers are also used - amixin (tiloron), polydan. Amiksin is used more often in the CIS countries, but its effectiveness is low. Polydan is less common. Amiksin improves the general well-being of the patient, without changing or affecting the course of the disease.

In the treatment of herpes simplex, immunomodulators are often used - substances that correct violations in patients with reduced immunity. Often used immunofan, polyoxidonium. The principle of action of all immunomodulators, although it depends on the group of drugs, but the essence always lies in correcting immunity disorders in diseases accompanied by its decrease - in particular, with herpes simplex. The dosage and course of treatment are set individually by the doctor.

In pathogenetic therapy (influence on the pathogenetic factor), a special place is occupied by the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which alleviate the course of the disease, eliminate pain, reduce possible fever, and improve the general condition and well-being of a person. Drugs such as ketorolac, ketanov can be used; at elevated temperature - ibuprofen.

Synthetic glucocorticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, dexazone, are also used, usually together with dehydration therapy for viral infections of the central nervous system (including generalization of the virus). When preparing a solution for intravenous drip infusion, it is better to use a 5% dextrose solution.

The answer to the question "How is herpes simplex treated?" is unequivocal - acyclovir (zovirax) in combination with general strengthening agents.

Folk remedies

Let's turn to traditional medicine

Depending on the division into two main types of the disease - "cold on the lips" and genital, there are also approaches to its treatment. The main thing is to draw up an ideal program for recovery with your doctor.

Despite the constant development of medicine, people still turn to folk remedies with the same desire. After all, these methods have been repeatedly used for decades, and even hundreds of years in a row.

Folk recipes for the treatment of herpes

Treatment of herpes simplex folk remedies should be given special attention. First of all, it is necessary to find out with the attending physician whether there are personally intolerable or allergic ingredients in the composition of the proposed formulation. And only after that, together with the doctor, you can draw up a treatment plan and select suitable recipes from traditional medicine. As an example, we have given several classic recipes.

sage decoction recipe

For cooking you will need:

• 1 tablespoon of sage leaves or 1 sachet, crushed.
• Glass of water.

Bring water to a boil and boil sage. After about 30-40 minutes, strain the broth and cool to room temperature. It is used as a rinse in the presence of the first type of herpes. In the case of the second type - add a decoction to the bath. Take a bath for no more than 15 minutes.

Eucalyptus and honey

Despite the complete opposite of the products, together they form one whole in the fight against viral skin disease. It is enough to brew 0.5 kg of eucalyptus leaves and add 2 tablespoons of honey to the strained broth. Application is local. On inflamed areas of the skin.

Viburnum infusion

This procedure is both preventive and is used to expel the virus from the body. A few tablespoons of viburnum are poured with a glass of boiling water, after which they should be left to infuse for 4 to 8 hours. Ideally, you can brew the infusion overnight. In this case, the decoction will be ready by morning, and it will be possible to begin treatment without postponing it for the evening.

Essential oils

Essential oils will help cure herpes, such as:

• fir;
• Tea tree oil;
• Almond.

These oils have antibacterial properties. Thus, you can fight the disease by adding a few drops to the bath or applying oil to the affected areas of the skin. This method is equally good both in the case of "colds on the lips" and in genital herpes.

The information is for reference only and is not a guide to action. Do not self-medicate. At the first symptoms of the disease, consult a doctor.

Herpesviruses are a huge group of DNA-containing microorganisms that can cause various kinds of infections. They differ in that they can stay in the human body for a long time, without showing themselves in any way, up to a certain point. During the period of a decrease in human immunity for any reason, the virus manifests itself as an acute infectious disease. An example is the appearance of herpes on the lip during a cold, there are also more complex causes of the manifestation of this disease - herpes on the genitals.

Causes of the herpes virus

Of almost a hundred types of pathogenic microorganisms, eight affect the human body. Herpes, the causes of which are little known, affects about 90 percent of the world's population, and the annual increase in infectious patients even outstrips the birth rate. Once in the body, the virus settles in it forever, and periodically causes relapses of diseases. They can occur without any symptoms or in an acute form with severe consequences, even death.

Herpes viruses have a spherical shape, in the center of which is DNA, surrounded by a shell of protein molecules. They have geometrically correct, exactly the same structures, perfectly fitted to each other to form an icosahedron. The virus is very easy to catch because it is highly contagious. A person can even be a carrier of several types of herpes at once.

Herpes causes: when it enters the human or animal body, the virus enters the cell nucleus and begins to multiply. It is carried with the flow of blood and lymph to various organs, settling mainly in the nerve endings. With hypothermia, stress or nervous overload, the virus appears in the form of bubbles filled with liquid. They are accompanied by a general deterioration in the condition, an increase in temperature. The place of localization of the rashes are the skin and mucous membranes.

The virus got its name "herpes" - "herpein" from Herodotus, translated from ancient Greek - to crawl or sneak. The virus moves freely and imperceptibly in the body and attacks.

Herpes lives in nerve cells, genetically invading the cells of the body. Penetrating into the nerve fibers, it can be passive for a long time. “Cold on the lips” is just an exacerbation of a viral disease. What are the causes of herpes?

Symptoms appear as a result of a weakened immune system or due to some other disease or stress. Therefore, the appearance of itchy blisters on the lips is associated with a cold. Various areas of the skin on the face or body are attacked, but most often these are the mucous membranes, eyes, internal organs, the central nervous system and the brain. Repeated cases of herpes are relapses of a "sleeping" virus.

A person becomes infected with this infectious disease by contacting a patient who has exposed areas of the skin damaged by the virus. The infection, having settled in the skin cell, tends to multiply rapidly. If a person with a weakened immune system, then the disease worsens. The following factors also contribute to this:

• stressful situations;
• supercooled state of the body;
• the presence of acute respiratory diseases;
• having any of the infectious diseases that suppress the immune system;
• frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages;
• poisoning of the body of any nature.

The course of the disease depending on its varieties and causes

Depending on the manifestations, herpes is divided into eight types:

1. The first type, HPI, often causes blisters on the lips.
2. The second type - HSVII - manifests itself on the genitals.
3. The third type is the symptoms of chickenpox, also known as shingles.
4. The fourth type is infectious mononucleosis.
5. The fifth type is called Cytomegalovirus.
6. Herpes of the sixth, seventh and eighth types, presumably from chronic fatigue, the appearance of various rashes.

Scientists investigated the causes of herpes, revealing that the virus can be a stimulant for the onset of Alzheimer's disease: the DNA of the herpes simplex virus was found in the brain in about 70% of patients!

The most severe infection is shingles, in which the rash passes along the nerve trunk, although sometimes the disease can be asymptomatic. Severe pain and fever can be triggered by other diseases. If the diagnosis is incorrect, then the destruction of the nerve sheath and the development of chronic neuralgia are possible. It is characterized by intense pain, which is difficult to remove with the help of drugs.

Herpes simplex viruses can cause inflammatory processes in the oral mucosa or upper respiratory tract, manifested in the form of sores. Herpetic eye damage is fraught with clouding of the lens or even blindness.

The disease caused by herpetic lesions of the meninges of the brain is especially severe. It is accompanied by severe pain in the muscles and joints and photophobia. Without treatment, a third of patients die.

It is dangerous to become infected with ordinary chickenpox during pregnancy if the expectant mother did not have chickenpox in childhood. After it, a strong immunity is formed for life. Otherwise, vaccination is necessary five to six months before the conception of a child, otherwise he may be born with severe defects.

By external rashes, you can understand without diagnostics that it is herpes. Before the appearance of blisters, these places tingle, they itch, redden, fever, fever and various pains are possible, as with a general malaise. However, if everything is not so clear, you need to apply a laboratory test for the presence of a virus in the liquid from the blisters on the affected areas of the body. In the absence of lesions on the skin or genitals, do a blood test for the presence of antibodies. Atypical form of herpes - pain in the lower abdomen may appear.

Herpes treatment

The method of treatment depends on the causes and localization of the herpetic infection. It is better to start at the first signs - the characteristic sensations of itching before the rash. If this time is not missed, local therapy is used - ointments with acyclovir. No cauterization with alcohol or brilliant green has no effect on herpes viruses.

Acyclovir (zovirax) is a special antiviral drug, not the only one, but the most suitable for the role of "ambulance" in the treatment. A similar drug is Valaciclovir (Valtrex). For the treatment of various types of herpes, Famciclovir (Famvir), Panavir, Docosanol (Erazaban) are also used, and for herpes simplex - Proteflazid, Flavozid.

Mild forms of herpes infection are treated on an outpatient basis. In more complex cases, drug therapy is prescribed - antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as physiotherapy. During this period, vitamins are especially important, and drinking plenty of water will help to quickly remove the waste products of viruses from the body - toxic substances. If sores appear in the oral cavity, then it is difficult for the patient to swallow, so you need to cook food in a frayed form and according to the doctor's dietary recommendations. With complicated forms of infection, the patient must be treated in a hospital.

It is impossible to completely cure herpes, but it is possible to reduce the stage of exacerbation, “calm down” faster and bring it to a dormant state, the virus can.

Whatever the causes of the disease, it is better not to self-medicate, it is impossible to take potent drugs orally, this can contribute to the formation of more resistant types of infection, and immunity can also be suppressed.

If the herpes virus is a frequent visitor to your body, you should consult a doctor. He will individually prescribe the optimal treatment regimen for a particular case, taking into account the causes of the disease. Particular importance should be given to complex immunotherapy. If the situation is severe, vaccination may be necessary.

What is the herpes virus?

The herpes virus or herpesvirus is a large family of viruses that infect both humans and animals. The mechanism of action of this group of viruses is to damage the cells of the body, because of which, once it gets into it, the virus remains there forever.

Often a person lives with the herpes virus all his life, which does not manifest itself in any way. This fact is a hallmark of the entire herpesvirus family.

Types of herpes virus

In total, 86 types of herpesviruses have been studied and described. Eight of them occur in humans. A characteristic feature of each of them are the diseases they cause. The typification of human herpesviruses is based on the ascending complexity of diseases. Here is the classification in the table:

type of herpes virus	Name of the virus	Diseases caused by a virus
Type 1	HSV-1 (herpes simplex virus type 1)	Oral herpes, less commonly genital herpes
Type 2	HSV-2 (herpes simplex virus type 2)	Genital herpes, vaginal herpes, rarely oral herpes
Type 3	Varicella zoster virus	Chicken pox, shingles
Type 4	EBV (Epstein-Barr virus)	Infectious mononucleosis, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, CNS lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma
Type 5	CMV (cytomegalovirus)	infectious mononucleosis, hepatitis, retinitis
Type 6	HHV-6A, HHV-6B (roseoloviruses)	Baby roseola, exanthema
Type 7	HHV-7 (roseolovirus)	chronic fatigue syndrome
Type 8	KSHV (Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus)	Kaposi's sarcoma

The first five types of human herpesvirus have been studied and described. The sixth, seventh and eighth types have been studied superficially. The relationship between them and diseases is not exactly established.

Herpesvirus is transmitted by skin contact with its carrier. It is not necessary for the carrier of the virus to turn into a disease. The contagiousness of the virus is high. Especially in the active form of the disease.

Speaking of herpes viruses, they often mean the first two types of viruses - herpes simplex viruses. They cause the disease of the same name, about which we will continue the conversation.
The varicella zoster virus or the third type of herpesvirus is also widespread and well studied. It causes the common chickenpox and shingles. These two diseases are the same varieties of herpes. Shingles is also called herpes zoster.

What kind of disease is herpes?

Herpes is a viral disease that is caused by herpesviruses of the first or second type. Its main symptom is a rash of vesicles on the skin or mucous membrane, grouped in small areas.

Herpes manifests itself on the lips and the skin around them, or on the external genitalia. According to the place of distribution, the disease is called oral or genital.
Oral herpes is also called "cold on the lips." This is due to the fact that the disease often manifests itself against the background of seasonal colds and seems to be their manifestation.
This is not true. Herpes is an independent disease, and colds are the cause of its development.

Causes of herpes

It was already mentioned above that the herpes virus can stay in the body for a long time without external manifestations. The development of the disease can begin due to several reasons:

• hypothermia,
• colds,
• emotional exhaustion,
• injury,
• defective food, often with diets,
• menstruation,
• side diseases.

These causes have a common feature: they lead to exhaustion. The virus manifests itself as a disease when the body's resistance decreases.

Herpes symptoms

The classic symptom of herpes is one: a rash of vesicles on the skin and mucous membranes. Bubbles appear in small concentrated groups.
The disease also has warning signs: itching, burning sensation, light tingling around the mouth or genitals. But almost no one pays attention to them, although at this stage the treatment can give the maximum effect.
The classic picture of the manifestation of herpes simplex looks like this:

• 1. In the oral or genital areas (depending on which type of herpes begins), itching and discomfort appear.
• 2. The disease begins to manifest itself by the development of the inflammatory process. A small swelling appears, which grows quite rapidly.
• 3. The swelling turns into blisters with clear liquid contents. They burst and liquid, in which millions of viral particles, flows out. Ulcers form at the site of the blisters.
• 4. Ulcers dry up and turn into scabs that can bleed and hurt a lot.

There are also atypical manifestations of herpes, when the disease goes away without a classic rash. Such cases are rare. Atypical herpes occurs with symptoms-harbingers: itching, burning, swelling and redness of the mucous membranes, rarely with pulling pain in the lower abdomen.
Such symptoms indicate herpes, but require confirmation in the form of an analysis for the herpes virus.

The establishment of the same type of herpes occurs on the basis of the place of manifestation of the rash. Here there can be no confusion as to whether the patient has a genital or oral type.

Herpes virus: treatment in adults

Regardless of whether oral or genital herpes is diagnosed in a patient, treatment is carried out according to the same tactics. But before proceeding to its description, it is necessary to recall an important nuance:
It is impossible to completely cure or get rid of the herpes virus. But correctly chosen drug therapy and a corrected lifestyle give a result in which the patient will not be disturbed by the manifestations of the disease.

Treatment of herpes, regardless of where it manifests itself, is carried out in two parallel directions:

• suppression of virus activity,
• strengthening immunity.

They are equally important, but the last point given must come first. Herpes practically does not appear in those who do not have general health problems. Who does not have bad habits, who eats right and leads a healthy lifestyle.

And the main thesis in the treatment and prevention of herpes: a healthy body itself copes with the herpes virus.

Suppression of the activity of the herpes virus

To reduce the frequency and severity of herpes symptoms, antiviral drugs are used during periods of exacerbation of the disease. Their effectiveness remains a rather controversial point, but with herpes they show good results. In the treatment of the disease, drugs are used that contain acyclovir, an antiviral substance, a synthetic analogue of the thymidine nucleoside. The latter is a natural component of human DNA. Acyclovir is found in pharmacies under various commercial names. Here are a few of them:

A drug	Price	Description
Zovirax	from 193 rub.	Antiviral drug based on acyclovir. Available in the form of a cream. In the standard course of the disease, it is applied to the areas of the skin affected by the rash and the areas adjacent to them five times a day. The course of treatment is four to ten days.
Panavir	from 137 rub.	Complex antiviral and immunomodulatory drug. For herpes, it is prescribed as a solution for intravenous injection. According to the instructions, in case of herpesvirus infection, the contents of the vial are injected in a jet twice with an interval of a day.
Vivorax	from 101 rub.	Cream with the active ingredient acyclovir. Effective in oral and genital herpes. It is applied to the affected and adjacent areas of the skin 5-6 times a day for five to ten days. The exact period of use is determined by the doctor according to the demonstrated effect.
from 50 rub.	Antiherpetic preparation of local action. The areas of the skin affected by the rash are treated with ointment five times a day, no more than ten days.

Antiviral drugs for herpes are creams and ointments for topical use. They act on the virus at the site of manifestation of the disease, which is enough for the standard course of the disease.

When herpes occurs with complications, antiviral drugs are prescribed by injection. This is a more efficient way, but due to the principle of sufficiency, it is rarely used.

It must be remembered that antiviral drugs for herpes do not cure the disease. They only effectively eliminate the symptoms of the disease and reduce the frequency of its manifestation and the severity of the course. Any antiviral agent is prescribed only on the recommendation of a doctor.

Strengthening immunity

The issue of strengthening immunity in herpes goes much further than a simple recommendation to lead a healthy lifestyle. The manifestation of the disease indicates that a serious failure has occurred in the work of the immune system, which must be solved by therapeutic methods.

It is believed that immunomodulators (drugs for regulating the functioning of the immune system) are necessary for herpes when the disease manifests itself more than four to five times a year. In such cases, we can say that the immune system does not cope with the protective function and needs external support.

You can meet the opinion that immunomodulators are a marketing product without proven effectiveness. But to achieve the goal, all means are good, and with herpes this statement is correct.

There are dozens of immunomodulators on the shelves of pharmacies. The choice of a specific one is the task of the doctor who has used them and knows exactly the features of each case history.
Here are the names and descriptions of popular immunomodulators:

A drug		Group of immunomodulators		Price		Description
Ridostin		Interferon inducer		from 137 rub.		Immunostimulating and antiviral drug, the effectiveness of which is achieved by increasing the production of interferon.
Amiksin		Interferon inducer		from 598 rub.		A preparation based on tilorone with an antiviral and immunostimulating effect. It is a low molecular weight synthetic interferon inducer.
Neovir		Interferon inducer		from 574 rubles		Immunostimulator with antiviral activity against DNA and RNA genomic viruses. Promotes an increase in the production of interferon alpha.
Tamerite		Immunomodulator		from 492 rub.		Immunostimulating drug with anti-inflammatory effect. Efficiency is based on an increase in the antibacterial activity of granulocytes and non-specific defense of the body.
Galavit		Immunomodulator		from 329 rub.		Immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory agent. The mechanism of action is based on the effect of Galavit on the activity of phagocytic cells and the normalization of antibody production.
Viferon		Interferon inducer		from 186 rub.		A drug with antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. Efficiency is provided by increased activity of natural killers and increased phagocytic activity.

Whatever drug is used, it must be remembered that immunomodulators are not a panacea. They are helpers. The protective functions of the body need to be strengthened not only with medicines.

Traditional medicine recipes for herpes

With regard to herpes in traditional medicine, there are only three proven recipes. This is due to the fact that the effectiveness of drugs in this disease is either there or it is not. Folk recipes are extremely simple.

At the first manifestation of a “cold on the lips”, even before going to the pharmacy for an anti-herpes cream, it is useful to rub the rash with a cut of a clove of garlic. It is best to do this at night so that the juice remains at the site of the lesion longer.

The antiviral effect of garlic is widely known. It well suppresses activity and herpesvirus.

The symptoms of herpes are relieved by ordinary ice. By applying a piece of ice to the place of the rash, itching, pain and burning will go away quickly, but not for long. The procedure can be repeated several times until traditional medicines give the result.

With the symptoms of herpes, brewing tea helps to fight. The brewed tea bag is applied to the site of the herpes lesion and left for 15-20 minutes. Tannins, which are contained in tea leaves, have an anesthetic effect and effectively relieve pain and discomfort.

Complications after herpes

Herpes is a very dangerous disease in terms of possible complications. Their development is facilitated by:

• weakened immunity and lack of immunostimulating therapy;
• lack of treatment and prolonged manifestations of the disease with frequent relapses.

Complications can spread to almost all systems of human life and cause many diseases. Here is some of them:

Diseases - complications of herpes - Esophagitis, pharyngitis, herpetic proctitis, viral stomatitis. Keratitis, iridocyclitis, corneal clouding. Herpetic encephalitis, meningitis, peripheral neuritis. Herpetic urethritis, herpetic cervicitis, erosion of the anterior urethra. Herpetic pneumonia, herpetic hepatitis.

It can be seen that many diseases that can manifest as complications of herpes, even in the name have the designation of herpes etiology. This once again confirms the versatility and danger of herpesvirus.

The danger lies in the mechanism of action of the disease. The virus is integrated into the genome of nerve cells and can appear anywhere where they are. And they are all over the body.
Therefore, it is necessary to treat herpes urgently in order to prevent the development of complications.

Herpes during pregnancy

Infection of a woman with herpesvirus during pregnancy needs a separate explanation.

When the virus enters the human body, it is kept in a latent state by the immune system, which produces the necessary antibodies. During pregnancy, a woman's immunity is weakened and during the primary infection with herpesvirus there is a risk of its dangerous effect on the body of the expectant mother and fetus.

The absence of anti-herpes antibodies allows the virus to freely penetrate to the fetus, which provokes the development of defects and even miscarriages.

Herpes is easier in pregnant women with repeated manifestations. The defense system is already familiar with the virus and is ready to resist it. The infection does not get to the fetus and infection of the child is possible only at the time of childbirth. Statistics show that with genital herpes in the mother, the chance of infection of the child at the time of birth is more than forty percent. Every fifth child will get herpes.

Therefore, herpes in pregnant women is a dangerous disease that requires prompt therapeutic response. It is difficult for the body of the expectant mother to resist the virus and one cannot do without a full-fledged medical treatment.

Prevention of herpes

The prevention of the manifestation of herpes is an interesting undertaking, given that most people on the planet are carriers of the herpes virus. The main task of disease prevention is not to prevent infection, but to prevent the development of diseases that it provokes. Particularly herpes.

A strong immune system copes with this task. To keep it in this state, you need to follow a few simple rules:

• to refuse from bad habits,
• eat well,
• alternate load and rest in reasonable proportions,
• avoid stress,
• avoid overheating and hypothermia.

Prevention of infection with herpesvirus, according to many experts, is a hopeless task. This is not to say that certain actions will avoid infection. But even with this opinion, the basic rules of hygiene cannot be neglected:

• hand hygiene after each visit to public places;
• use only personal hygiene products;
• use of contraceptives during casual sexual intercourse.

Vaccination against herpesvirus

At the moment, there is no preventive vaccine against herpes viruses. There is a therapeutic vaccine that prevents the recurrence of herpes. It was created by Soviet scientists in the last century. But it did not become mass due to the fact that it can be used only under strict indications.

Now work on the creation of a preventive vaccine against herpesvirus is being carried out in many countries. From time to time there is information about success in this work, but no one has yet been able to achieve the final result.

Scientists predict that a preventive vaccine can be created in the next decade, and then the fight against herpes will become effective both in terms of stopping the disease and preventing infection.

Herpes is a virus that infects a human cell, "integrating" into its genetic apparatus.

You can become infected with herpes by sexual, airborne, generic (from mother to child during childbirth) and even by contact (through a handshake, household items, a kiss).

Usually, the disease does not manifest itself until the carrier's immune system is weakened, which can lead to hypothermia, overheating, pregnancy, large doses of alcohol, stress, and infectious diseases.

It is believed that if rashes appear no more than 4-5 times a year and only on the lips, there is nothing to worry about. But if exacerbations occur more often than 5 times a year, rashes appear not only on the lips, but also on other parts of the body, and extensive ones, then you should definitely undergo an immunological examination.

Who is at risk?

Almost every one of us carries the herpes simplex virus, but few get sick. Why this happens is still a mystery to scientists. Up to 60% of those infected with the herpes simplex virus do not even suspect that they are infected, but at the same time they can transmit a dangerous virus to a partner through sexual contact.

Symptoms

Now medicine knows not only the viral nature of the disease, but also 8 types of this very virus. The most common are the first 3 types of herpes: type I contributes to the appearance of colds on the lips, type II causes diseases of the reproductive system, type III causes chicken pox and shingles.

The most common symptoms of herpes are rashes in the form of bubbles that can appear on the lips, mucous membranes of the nose and mouth, on the genitals and on the body. Before the appearance of herpetic vesicles in the place of future rashes, precursors appear: itching, burning, tingling. It is better to start drug therapy at the precursor stage to prevent the appearance of rashes.

But herpes can manifest itself atypically, when there are no classic rashes, but discharge, itching, burning, perineal cracks, swelling, redness of the mucous membranes appear. A symptom of this form of herpes can also be pain - it pulls and twists the lower abdomen, or patients complain of attacks of "sciatica".

Treatment

Treatment of herpes must be comprehensive and individual. Those who often suffer from herpes, reasonably resort to the help of potent oral agents that suppress the activity of the virus. They also reduce the number of exacerbations, but on the other hand, self-treatment with them leads to the formation of resistant types of the virus, and sometimes to even greater suppression of the immune system.

So the drug treatment of herpes should be prescribed by a doctor - a dermatovenereologist, gynecologist, urologist or immunologist.

For urgent prevention, that is, when a feeling of discomfort and tingling has already arisen, but there are no bubbles yet, ointments containing an antiviral substance such as acyclovir are used.

During treatment, lip balms containing petroleum jelly and allantoin are well suited to moisturize and soften herpetic sores.

But if herpes makes its forays more than 3 times a year, a more serious approach is required. Without individual complex immunotherapy aimed at stable normalization of immunity, it is almost impossible to radically cure recurrent herpes. In severe cases, vaccine prophylaxis is used today.

Folk methods

If a fever jumped up on the lip, and there was no special cream at hand, try to help yourself with the help of folk remedies.

To reduce itching, you can apply an ice cube or a used tea bag to the blisters for a few minutes (tea contains tannic acid, known for its antiviral properties). Tea tree and sage oils, which have an antiseptic effect, are also suitable.

Not only on the lips

Many people are familiar with fever on the lips, but people are less likely to experience manifestations of herpes in intimate places. Both infections are caused by herpes simplex viruses, close "relatives" - their DNA is 50% similar.

Genital herpes can lead to infertility of spouses: women develop inflammatory processes in the organs of the genital area that prevent pregnancy, in men the virus penetrates the spermatozoa, and they lose their viability.

Infection during pregnancy often leads to miscarriage, severe lesions and deformities of the unborn child.

In order to “catch” genital herpes in time, a virological study of blood from a vein or a sample taken from the site of the rash is carried out.

Genital herpes is surrounded by myths and rumors. So, many are sure that you can pick up an infection when visiting public baths and pools, using toilet seats, other people's dishes and towels, which is actually not the case. But the fact that the virus can enter the body with mother's milk is true.

Shingles

One of the common variants of the herpes virus is shingles, which affects the nervous system and skin. The illness usually begins with severe, shooting pain. Pain in the back or lower back, ribs. A person feels weakness, nausea, sometimes the temperature rises. After a few days, fuzzy pinkish spots appear in the pain zones, and after about a day, colonies of watery bubbles appear in their place. Gradually they dry up, forming crusts.

Shingles is terrible for its complications, including neurological, or infection with a secondary bacterial infection. In addition, severe complications occur with the eye and ear form of the disease - for example, persistent inflammation of the auditory and facial nerve, decreased visual acuity, and hearing impairment.

What then?

It is also necessary to complete the treatment of herpes correctly. After the fever disappears, replace the toothbrush and toothpaste. If you often get cold sores on your lips, it is advisable to buy small tubes of paste.

PhD in Psychology, specialist in traditional health systems, TV presenter of the program "The Most Important Thing" and author of the book "Home guide of the most important tips for your health".

Myths and truth

For many centuries of “communication” of a person with herpes, a lot of speculation has appeared around this disease. So, many are sure that herpes only affects the skin, that the virus can be cured by cauterizing the rashes with alcohol, iodine and brilliant green, and that you can become infected with herpes only if there are rashes. What is true and what is not?

"Antiherpes Diet"

Unpleasant rashes appear on the skin and mucous membranes because the herpes virus begins to multiply. To create new cells, he needs a “building material”, the role of which is played by the amino acid arginine. According to the chemical formula, it, like a twin brother, is similar to another amino acid - lysine. But it is unsuitable for the construction of herpes cells. However, if there is a lot of lysine in the body, the virus is mistaken and uses it. As a result, new cells are defective and quickly die.

Scientists from the American Mayo Clinic found that if about 1.3 g of lysine enters the body every day, the number of herpes recurrences is reduced by 2.4 times. To provide yourself with an "antiviral" amino acid, regularly eat cottage cheese and other dairy products, fish, meat and eggs. In smaller quantities, lysine is found in legumes, avocados, dried apricots, and cereals. At the same time, it is desirable to reduce the consumption of arginine - it is abundant in chocolate and wheat flour products.

It is also important that the "anti-herpes diet" contains a lot of vitamins A, C, E and zinc.

As a rule, rashes on the lips, the so-called "cold", are called herpes. But in fact, there are 8 types of herpes, which have their own characteristics of the course, distinctive features of the clinical picture and methods of treatment.

The cause of herpes is a highly contagious virus that is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy one. Despite what type of herpes is present in the human body, this disease is characterized by a period of latent course - the symptoms of the disease in question appear only at the moment when the human immunity is sufficiently weakened.

Herpes viruses are common not only among people, but also in nature. This is due to the high level of survival of the virus outside the mucous membranes or biomaterial - even indoors at room temperature, the herpes virus lives for another 24 hours.

Table of contents:

Herpes type 1 (simple)

In the special literature, this type of disease under consideration is referred to as HSV-1 (herpes simplex virus type 1) and may be called oral or labial herpes. Typical localization for this type of herpes is the lips and nasolabial triangle, and infection can occur in the first years of a child's life.

If a person has a diagnosed one, then the herpes virus affects:

• the skin of the fingers on the upper and lower extremities - more often doctors observe damage to the nail fold;
• mucous membrane of the oral cavity, internal organs, eyes and nasal cavity;
• tissues of the nervous system.

The characteristic features of the herpes simplex virus type 1 are:

• development of diseases of the nervous system;
• suppression;
• damage to the cells of the nervous system.

Symptoms of herpes simplex type 1

The most characteristic sign of the type of herpes under consideration is a rash on the lips - small bubbles appear with liquid contents inside, they grow and eventually either “fade out” on their own or burst. In addition to this symptom, doctors note common intoxication signs:

• pain syndrome in muscle tissues;
• general weakness and drowsiness;
• short term.

Note:if infection with herpes simplex type 1 occurred during oral-genital contact, then rashes, as the most pronounced symptom, will be noted on the mucous membranes of the genital organs.

Diagnostic measures

The type of herpes in question is diagnosed either according to the patient's complaints and a characteristic symptom (rashes on the lips or mucous membranes of the genital organs), or during an examination of the body for some other reason. The doctor, as part of the diagnostic procedures, is obliged to:

• determine the type of pathogen that provoked the development of herpes simplex type 1;
• differentiate the pathogen;
• determine at what stage of the development of the disease the patient sought medical help.

Treatment of herpes simplex type 1

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In general, therapy against herpes viruses has some features:

• no prophylactic drugs are available;
• herpes viruses are absolutely not sensitive to antibacterial drugs (antibiotics);
• complete destruction of the virus is impossible;
• if the course of the herpes simplex virus type 1 is short-lived, then the use of any drugs is not advisable.

One of the drugs that can really have a therapeutic effect is Acyclovir. It is sold in pharmacies in various pharmacological forms - tablets, ointments, solutions. If you use the indicated drug strictly according to the instructions, this will ensure a decrease in the number of recurrences of the manifestations of herpes simplex type 1 and shorten the treatment time for already visible signs.

Note:if a person has characteristic rashes on the lips, then it is necessary to exclude close contacts with other people - we are talking about kisses. Otherwise, the herpes simplex virus 1 will certainly be transmitted to the body of a healthy person.

Herpes virus type 2

In the specialized literature, this type of disease in question is classified as genital herpes. Both men and women are sick with it, the cause of infection is unprotected sexual contact, however, the type 2 herpes virus can "settle" in the human body, even with full caution during sex.

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Treatment of the type of herpes in question should be carried out only under the supervision of a physician and after a full examination by narrow specialists. In addition to Acyclovir, for patients diagnosed with type 2 herpes, doctors prescribe a whole range of therapeutic measures - an independent choice of drugs is inappropriate.

Herpes type 3 (varicella-zoster virus)

The same disease in medicine is called both the varicella-zoster virus and the herpes Zoster virus. It enters the human body by airborne droplets, and if it is a child, then he will develop chickenpox. An ill person remains a carrier of the virus for life, with its localization in the cells of the nervous tissue.

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In some cases, the “calmed down” type 3 herpes virus in a child may reappear already at an older age, and the clinical picture in this case will be in the nature of herpes zoster.

If the infection with the type of herpes in question "fell" on the child's body, then the following symptoms will be highlighted:

• high body temperature, chills;
• rashes on the skin in the form of vesicles;
• severe, unbearable itching of the skin.

As a rule, in childhood, the type 3 herpes virus quickly passes into an inactive state, localized in the cells of nerve tissues. Usually, the virus in question does not manifest itself in any way, but in some cases (decreased immunity, too long a course of chronic diseases, and so on), type 3 herpes virus manifests itself shingles. And in this case, the following symptoms will occur:

As a rule, after 2-3 weeks, all signs of herpes zoster disappear, and small scars remain at the site of the rash - depressions / pits with smoothed edges.

Treatment of herpes virus type 3

There is no specific treatment for the type 3 disease in question - doctors examine the patient, prescribe symptomatic therapy. In childhood, these are antipyretics and drugs that reduce itching of the skin. With herpes zoster - painkillers, antipyretics, and in case of detection of concomitant inflammatory diseases - antibacterial drugs.

Herpes type 4 (Epstein-Barr virus)

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This type of herpes is referred to in the medical literature as the Epstein-Barr virus. It provokes the development of an infectious disease, which is typical for people with diagnosed immunodeficiencies.

Symptoms of the herpes virus type 4 and treatment

Infectious mononucleosis is a lesion of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and lymph nodes, more often inherent in young people. The main signs of this disease are high body temperature, morphological changes in the structure of the blood, pathological changes in the spleen, liver and other internal organs.

The most common symptoms of herpes type 4 are:

• body temperature rises suddenly, for no apparent reason and immediately to critical levels;
• there are complaints of pain in the muscles, joints, throat and head;
• the oral mucosa swells, swells - doctors can differentially diagnose pharyngitis and / or;
• feeling of constant fatigue, fast onset fatigue, drowsiness - these symptoms can persist even after treatment of the disease for another several months;
• small papular-type rashes appear on the skin and mucous surface, which disappear without a trace after 3 days;
• lymph nodes increase significantly in size.

Diagnostic measures consist in conducting a full examination of the patient and a laboratory study of his biomaterial - specialists detect the DNA of the Epstein-Barr virus.

Note:it is this virus that can provoke the development of oncological disease - Burkitt's lymphoma. Therefore, treatment should take place only in a medical institution, under constant supervision by medical workers. .

Herpes type 5 (cytomegalovirus)

Herpesvirus type 5 causes the disease cytomegalovirus. It is noteworthy that the symptoms of this disease are blurred, the pathology proceeds in a latent form, and the clinical picture begins to develop only when immunity is weakened.

Symptoms of the herpes virus type 5 and treatment

The manifestation of cytomegalovirus is identical to the course of a cold:

• headache;
• increase in body temperature;
• general weakness and drowsiness;
• when swallowing, talking and at rest.

Cytomegalovirus can manifest itself as a lesion of the central nervous system, eyes, spleen and pancreas.

The herpes virus type 5 is especially dangerous during pregnancy - it has an active negative effect on the intrauterine development of the fetus. This may cause:

Note:treatment of the herpes virus type 5 is considered only during pregnancy. The expediency of preserving the fetus is determined by the doctor - if the infection occurred after conception, then this is an unconditional medical indication for artificial termination of pregnancy. In case of infection with the herpes virus type 5, long before the onset of pregnancy, doctors prescribe antiviral, symptomatic therapy and a course of treatment with immunomodulators.

Herpes virus type 6

This type of disease under consideration is present in the etiopathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. The disease manifests itself in people aged 20 years and older; at an earlier age, multiple sclerosis was not diagnosed.

Symptoms

Signs of multiple sclerosis include:

• fatigue of a permanent nature;
• often recurrent;
• violation of sensitivity in various manifestations - tactile, temperature and others.

These are the early symptoms of multiple sclerosis caused by the herpes virus type 6, but as the disease develops, more serious signs of pathological lesions of the patient's organs and systems appear. These include:

• rapid mood swings, disturbances in the psycho-emotional background;
• decreased visual acuity, double vision of any object;
• stupidity;
• complete absence of pain reaction;
• incontinence of urine and feces;
• muscle spasms, cramps;
• unusual pronunciation of words;
• violation of the instinct of swallowing.

Note:the clinical picture with the herpes virus type 6 can be variable - it all depends on which parts of the central nervous system are affected by the virus. This process is unpredictable, so doctors are careful to identify the symptoms of the type of herpes in question.

Treatment of herpes type 6

In the process of carrying out therapeutic measures, doctors use a whole range of medicines:

• antioxidants;
• angioprotectors;
• corticosteroids;
• drugs with immunomodulatory action;
• means that stimulate the production;
• immunoglobulins.

But this list is far from complete - medicines are selected on a strictly individual basis and only by specialists.

Herpes virus type 7

Most often, this herpes virus is combined with type 6 herpes. This combination provokes the development of chronic fatigue syndrome, which is actually not a dangerous disease, and oncological diseases of the lymphoid tissue.

This type of disease under consideration is characterized by the following manifestations:

Diagnostic measures and treatment

Diagnosis of the herpes virus type 7 is carried out only in the laboratory - the patient's blood is examined. The following methods are used:

• immunogram.

The treatment of this type of herpes consists in antiviral therapy, which is aimed at strengthening the immune system.

Note:preventive measures have not yet been developed.

Herpes type 8

The herpes virus type 8 infects lymphocytes, but it can stay in the body of absolutely healthy people for a long time. Ways of transmission of the herpes virus type 8: through the placenta from mother to child during pregnancy, during organ transplantation, can be activated during radiation therapy.

Symptoms and treatment

The herpes virus type 8 causes several cancers:

• Kaposi's sarcoma- the formation of multiple malignant neoplasms;
• primary- oncology with lesions of the serous membranes;
• Castleman's disease.

These serious cancers are treated with radiation therapy or surgery.

All types of the herpes virus must be treated without fail - the general state of human health will depend on this. There are no safe diseases, especially viral etiology - the lack of therapy can lead to irreversible pathological processes in organs and systems.

Traditional medicine in the treatment of herpes

Important:you can’t rely solely on traditional medicine - funds from this category can only strengthen the immune system, but in no way get rid of the virus. Even quite official medicines cannot cope with such a task! But you should not give up traditional medicine either - some remedies will indeed effectively restrain the appearance of signs of various diseases caused by herpes viruses.

3 tablespoons of dried chamomile flowers pour 500 ml of boiling water and insist for 6-8 hours (it is better to prepare the remedy at night). The resulting infusion can be consumed orally 1 tablespoon immediately after eating - this will help to quickly remove inflammation in the upper respiratory tract and restore immunity during a cold.

If symptoms of herpes simplex type 1 appear, namely rashes on the lips, then in the resulting infusion of chamomile, you need to moisten a gauze napkin and make lotions. This will speed up the healing process of the “cold” on the lips, and if there is purulent inflammation, then the chamomile will “pull out” all the liquid.

This plant is brewed in the same proportions as chamomile. But both traditional healers and educated doctors warn: you can’t drink too much of this tea. The maximum allowable dosage is 500 ml per day, and not in one gulp, but in several doses.

Note:licorice root can provoke severe poisoning, therefore, a drug based on it is strictly forbidden to use during pregnancy, with diagnosed hypertension and kidney failure.

This plant acts on the herpes virus from the inside, so the effect is quite impressive. Some healers recommend eating 2 flowers of this plant per knock and being treated in this way for 2 weeks, and then taking a break for 10-15 days.

You can prepare a decoction of the stems and leaves of tansy - 1 tablespoon of dry raw materials per glass of boiling water, the decoction is boiled for 10 minutes at a low boil. A decoction of tansy is taken 1 teaspoon once a day after meals.

You can use the same decoction for external use - lubricate the affected areas of the skin, make lotions.

Oils in the treatment of herpes

For the treatment of rashes with herpes, it will be effective to use various oils - tea tree, fir, camphor. During the period of the appearance of such a manifestation of herpes of any type, simply lubricate the affected areas of the skin 3-4 times a day.

Note:any remedies prepared according to prescriptions from the category of traditional medicine should not be used in the treatment of herpes without first consulting a doctor. First, it is necessary to exclude banal hypersensitivity and / or individual intolerance. Secondly, the above medicinal plants have a fairly powerful therapeutic effect and in some cases can provoke a deterioration in health. Thirdly, it is necessary to exclude / confirm the presence of diseases associated with herpes in order to outline the direction of the therapeutic course.

Herpes is often a practically harmless disease, but there are types of this virus that can become really dangerous not only for health, but also for the life of the patient. Only a doctor's consultation and competent, timely provided medical care will help patients.

Tsygankova Yana Alexandrovna, medical observer, therapist of the highest qualification category.