The herpes virus is well understood. He belongs to the same family that causes chickenpox. They are very easy to get infected, so about so many people carry this virus in themselves. Fortunately, not everyone who is a carrier becomes eventually sick. For some reason, for some people, the virus remains "asleep" for life, while in others it causes severe infections. There are also people who for many years are suffering from herpes every month until at some point the virus becomes inactive. What is the reason for this? First of all, with immunity. The stronger the resistance of the body - the less chances of herpes to develop into a serious illness. But as soon as the immunity weakens, the virus immediately makes itself felt. Outbreaks of herpes usually fall in the fall, when colds come in sharply, as well as in people after the illnesses and in pregnant women. For the latter, herpes can be especially dangerous, since it can negatively affect the development of the child.
What to look for
Unfortunately, as soon as we become infected with herpes, we can get problems with it for life. During herpes simplex infection, the virus is implanted directly into the spinal cord, as the nerve endings are the best place to wait for the possibility of an attack. Once the virus "wakes up," it moves along the nerve to the membrane of the skin or mucosa and begins to multiply there. This mainly affects the skin and mucous membranes around the mouth and nose (for example, the border at the junction of the mucous membrane and skin). The place where you virus is localized, becomes strained, and then there is itching and burning. Then there is sowing of small, painful blisters filled with serous fluid. There are a lot of viruses in this fluid, so at this stage the disease is the most contagious. "Catch" the virus can easily be through the kiss of a person who was infected. And even touching his cup or fork with his mouth can lead to the spread of infection. After 6-10 days, the vesicles mature and break through, creating painful erosions, sometimes real scabs on the skin. After about a week, these scabs are gone without a trace. At this time, it is not allowed to scratch the affected skin, because this prolongs the healing time, and can even lead to sepsis. Sometimes herpes is accompanied by fever and mood worsening. Lymph nodes can also be enlarged nearby.
Who is at risk?
Even herpes can suffer from herpes if a careless mother with an active form of herpes will kiss a small child. The same applies to the untidy treatment of nipples, bottles, toys, which the child pulls into his mouth. Pediatricians believe that in children up to 5 years of age, herpes is usually asymptomatic. And if there are changes, as a rule, in young children this refers to the gums, tongue or cheeks from the inside.
In young and elderly people, a simple herpes virus is activated during periods of weakening of the immune system (infectious diseases, infections with high temperature). Even if a person simply overheats too much on the beach or overcooled in the winter - herpes can manifest. It can occur after invasive cosmetic procedures (such as deep peeling, permanent makeup), and due to alcohol abuse. In young people, herpes often makes itself felt due to stress (for example, examinations, interviews). In women, relapse can occur immediately before and during menstruation.
Herpes virus and its features
Herpes is a contagious disease, but usually it is harmless. This can be dangerous, for example, when the virus enters the eyes or the brain (this happens very rarely). Then, inflammation of the conjunctiva and the cornea, or the development of meningitis, can be dangerous. Even if there is no loss of vision or neurological complications, the disease requires very rapid initiation of treatment by a specialist. For herpes, the symptoms are not too uncomfortable for us, we should start taking the drugs as soon as possible. It is better to do this before the appearance of vesicles, when the adoption of antiviral drugs is most effective. Choose the remedies that will be applied locally every 2 hours (for example, Zovirax, Acyclovir, Acic, Erazaban, Virin, Avirol, Gerpex and others) or lotions (for example, Sonol). If you do not have at your fingertips special means, you can lubricate the affected area repeatedly moistened with a tablet of polipyrine. If your doctor recommends, you should take antiviral medicines additionally. Unfortunately, sometimes it comes to bacterial superinfection of herpes. In this case, your doctor may recommend ointments containing antibiotics (eg, neomycin or tetracycline). With frequently recurring attacks of herpes, sometimes experts recommend a "secret weapon" that is prepared for a particular patient - this is a complex autovaccine. With very frequent bouts of herpes, ask about this possibility of your doctor.
How to protect yourself from herpes?
First of all, know the enemy in person. Know what herpes is, how it manifests itself, describe the disease specifically. To avoid getting the herpes virus, you must take care of the resistance of your body. Well, and of course, try to avoid contact with infected persons. If infection has already occurred, you should be careful not to take risks of complications and protect others from infection. Therefore, to wash hands after touching the blisters and after the introduction of the drug - it is necessary. You should not kiss anyone if you have cold sores, especially children. Do not touch the eyes (special care should be taken when removing make-up from the face and eyes). In any case, it is better not to wear contact lenses throughout the period of exacerbation of herpes. It is best to use separate face towels for the time of illness, individual cups, cutlery, etc. After use, rinse them thoroughly with hot water and detergent.
The truth and myths about herpes
Anyone who is the carrier of a simple herpes virus, falls ill
This is not true. Why the virus does not always cause the disease is not known for certain. The secret to modern science is the fact that some viruses cause severe infections, while others remain "asleep" throughout their entire life. There are also people who for many years suffer from cold sores every month, regardless of the season, lifestyle and state of health. As experts expected - six years after the first infection, only one in ten people experiences repeated infection with herpes.
Herpes is the most contagious at the time of the appearance of blisters on the skin or mucous membranes
Yes it is. When the virus enters the body (or the "sleeping" virus, already present in the body, suddenly becomes active), the skin becomes hard, and then itching and burning. After 2-3 days of sowing, several small, painful blisters appear in the skin, filled with serous fluid. It is in this liquid that many viruses are contained, so at this stage the herpes disease is the most contagious.
Herpes virus can be of different types
It's true. The herpes virus has two different types - HSV-1 and HSV-2. The first type affects the changes in the area of the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose. The second type affects the genitals. Anxiety in women causes changes in the mucous membrane of the vulva, vagina and cervix, in men - foreskin, glans penis and skin. In both sexes, genital herpes can affect around the anus and urethra. Sometimes there are changes, such as herpetic ulcers. "Sexual" herpes can be transmitted to a partner during sex, and, as a vaginal, and oral.
Children do not suffer from herpes
This is not true. Even babies can get cold sores if their infected mother is misused. It manifests in the same way as in an adult. If such a negligent mother with an active phase of herpes will kiss the baby - he will become infected. Each deterioration in the immunity of the child will lead to an exacerbation of the disease.