Herpes is one of the most common viral infections of humans. Over 90% of people around the world are infected with the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and up to 20% of them have some kind of evidence of infection.
Herpes simplex virus infects the skin and mucous membranes (mostly on the face and in the genital area), central nervous system (meningitis, encephalitis), Eye (conjunctivitis, keratitis). The herpes virus causes the pathology of pregnancy and childbirth, often leading to "Spontaneous" abortions and the death of the fetus or cause generalized infection in newborns; notes link genital herpes cervical cancer and prostate cancer.
Causes
Factors contributing to the expression and / or recurrence of herpes are:
- reduction in immunological reactivity,
- overcooling or overheating of the body,
- disease
- medical procedures, including abortion and the introduction of an intrauterine device,
- some mental and physiological states.
The source of infection is a sick person who has the herpes virus is present in the epithelium of the mucous membranes.
herpes symptoms
Incubation period at herpes is, on average, from 2 to 10 days, sometimes reaching 3 weeks.
The primary symptoms are multiple blisters are prone to fusion. Their appearance is accompanied by unpleasant sensations: itching, soreness.
A significant part of the cases observed general symptoms: weakness, headache, Muscle aches, fever. One-third of women and one in ten men with primary herpes develop complications, the most serious of which is herpetic meningitis (inflammation of the meninges).
If no rash complications stored 2 to 3 weeks, covered crusts, and then disappear.
herpes treatment
Treatment of patients with herpes, especially chronic relapsing forms, presents considerable difficulties.
As shown by numerous clinical studies in recent years, the drug of first choice for treatment of acute and recurrent forms herpes caused by the herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2, is acyclovir (Zovirax and its analogs), valacyclovir (Valtrex), famciclovir (Famvir).
For the treatment of primary episodes and recurrences of genital herpes in patients with an intact immune system acyclovir administered at a dose of 200 mg 5 times a day for 5-10 days or until resolution of clinical manifestations.
5% acyclovir cream is prescribed to patients herpes simplex on the skin in the early stages of the disease 5 times a day for 5-7 days.
For genital herpes assigned valacyclovir 0.5 g of 2 times a day for 5-10 days.
Famvir prescribed for acute HSV infection of 0.25 g three times a day for 7 days. During pregnancy and lactation the drug can be prescribed only for health reasons.
Alpizarin used for the treatment of herpetic lesions of different localization. Appliques 2% ointment produced at mucosal 4-6 times a day for 5-10 days, a 5% ointment applied to the skin 4-6 times a day 5-10 days. In more severe herpes infection alpizarin (0.1 g) is administered orally 1-3 tablets 3-4 times a day for 7-10 days.
Vir-IP (vidarabine phosphate) -10% ethyl gel. Apply to the affected areas 4 times a day for 7 days.
Gelpin (brivudine) - Tablets 0.125 g, 1 tablet orally 4 times a day for 5-7 days (after meal with plenty of fluids.
Oxoline. 1% - or a 2% ointment applied to the affected areas three times a day.
Riodoksol. It is applied at a moderate course of HSV infections of the skin and mucous membranes in the form of applications 0.25% - 0.5% - 1% or ointments (depending on the localization process and the nature of the disease) for 5-10 days.
Tromantadine. A preparation in the form of a 1% ointment applied to the affected sites 3 times a day for 7-10 days. For the successful use of tromantadine he was appointed at the first signs of herpes.
Flakozid - flavonoid derived from the leaves of the Amur velvet, velvet Laval administered orally after meals 0.1-0.5 g of 3 times a day for 10 days.
Helepin as 1% ointment applied to the affected mucosal 3_raza a day for 7-10 days. When skin lesions applied a 5% ointment. In severe cases helepin (0.1 g) orally administered 3 tablets a day for 10-15 days.
Epigen-sex (aqueous extract of licorice root). Applied 6 times a day for 5-10 days.
As a means of preventing recurrences of genital herpes in some countries have been created and tested various antiherpethetical vaccine. Let now includes domestic herpetic polio vaccination cycles (1-2 year) consisting of intradermal injections of 0.2 ml of the drug every 5-10 days for a total of 5 to ring injection. Research on improving the method of vaccination of patients with herpes infection are continuing.
When genital herpes patient should be advised to abstain from sexual intercourse until the disappearance of clinical manifestations. During this period, the use of condoms should be mandatory for all sexual contacts. Sexual partners of patients with genital herpes should be evaluated and, if they have herpes manifestations - to treat.
Treatment of herpes in pregnancy
Treatment of pregnant women with the necessary development of disseminated forms of herpetic infection (encephalitis, hepatitis etc.); Acyclovir is used in standard dosages. Caesarean section as prophylaxis of neonatal herpes zoster shown in the presence of rashes on the genitals or in the primary genital herpes infection in the mother during 1 month before giving birth. In other cases there may be a natural delivery.
complications
With a weakened immunity to herpes recurs 3-6 times during the year. On the affected area there are groups of painful vesicles. A few days before this part of the patients experiencing discomfort in the area of the rash. Common symptoms and an increase in units for the period of exacerbation uncharacteristically. Duration of disease recurrence is usually 7-10 days.
Intrigue herpes virus is that, once infiltrating into the body, it remains almost always in it for life. At the same time, carriers of herpes is not fatal: antibodies to it have almost 100% of the adult Russia's population (that is, all we have ever met with the virus and obtain a natural "Inoculation").
With good immunity intensity (either with competent its correction), subject to certain rules healthy Life does not give the body a small amount of dormant viruses exit the cell, where the pathogens and be doomed life.
With the weakening of immunity (a typical case - after the common cold, even though the reasons may be many), herpes viruses are activated, proliferate and -spikes affected nerve cells are located in the areas innervated by the last of the epithelium, causing the characteristic clinical picture of acute herpetic infection.
The consequences of herpes complications in women
In addition to periodic exacerbations persistence of HSV in the mucous of female genital mutilation is fraught with a number of very unpleasant consequences: persistent itching in the external genitals and the vagina (65%), mucus (58%), "cervical erosion (16%), habitual miscarriage in the early stages (21%).
If the infection of the fetus in early pregnancy can lead to spontaneous abortion, it infected more later periods can cause damage to the skin, eyes, nervous system, followed by a delay development. It should be noted that such dire consequences are typical for primary infection during pregnancy, when The presence of the immune system (which is the vast percentage of Russians) even his temporary decrease during pregnancy is not so dangerous.
The consequences of herpes in pregnancy
Pregnancy is a very common physiological immunosupressiivnym factor (regular decrease occurs immunity). The presence of the herpes simplex virus in the cervix of pregnant women increases the risk of intrauterine infection of the fetus, as well as - infection of the child during childbirth.
Therefore, before anticipated pregnancy expectant mothers, we recommend to get tested for the presence of HSV (and CMV) On the mucous membrane of genitals, to determine the presence and level of antibodies to this virus and, if necessary, receive preventive treatment. It is advisable to re-study during pregnancy, taking into account the above-mentioned changes in the immune system. Detection of herpes simplex virus genital organs in the last weeks before delivery is the basis for a caesarean section.
Read more about herpes during pregnancy can be read in our separate article
