Herpes is the result of an infection with the herpes simplex virus. It causes not only the popular cold sores, i.e. cold or greaves on the lips (HSV 1), but also genital herpes - a rash of painful blisters on the genitals (HSV 2). Cold sores can also cause more serious changes in the body. What are HSV herpes infections? Is there an effective treatment for herpes?
Herpesis most often associated with tiny, painful blisters around the mouth or genitals. However, infection with the herpes virus can cause much more serious he alth problems and even be life-threatening.
Herpes simplex virus, or HSV, comes in many types. The most crucial for human he alth, however, are two of them:
- herpes simplex virus type hsv1 - his work is the popularlabial herpes(greaves, cold), which is associated with changes in the mucous membranes of the mouth, face, upper limbs and the torso. It can also cause changes in the genital area, but this is extremely rare;
- herpes simplex virus type hsv2 - mainly responsible for changes in the genital organs and buttocks -genital herpesor genital herpes. It is an important risk factor for infection with sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection.
Herpes - symptoms of infection
The main symptoms of herpes are:
- skin changes
- blisters
- blush
but their location depends on what virus we have been infected with.
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Symptoms of herpes labialis - infections with the hsv-1 variant
Skin lesions caused by the hsv-1 virus take the form of small blisters filled with serous material, and later often purulent. The changes may cause a slight soreness or burning sensation.
The most common locations are:
- around the lips
- face
- oral mucosa with painful erosions
Corneal involvement is a more dangerous situation as it can lead to visual impairment.
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Symptoms of genital herpes - infections with the hsv-2 variant
In the case ofhsv-2 virus infection, serous blisters appear on both the mucous membranes and the skin of the genital organs. They quickly transform into erosions. The changes are accompanied by local swelling and erythema.General symptomsthat may occur are:
- fever
- headaches
- chills
- lymph nodes enlargement, most often inguinal
Common changes in the course of genital herpes infection are:
- labia
- vaginitis
- cervicitis
- inflammation of the glans and foreskin
- urethritis
- proctitis
- pharyngitis
Herpes - method of infection
Most people are infected with HSV-1 in childhood, and with HSV-2 after sexual contact. The virus remains latent throughout its life within the ganglia.
It appears at:
- immunosuppression
- infectious diseases
- fever
- excessive sunlight or cooling
- stress
- exhaustion
- menstruation in women
An important role in subsequent infections is played by the fact thateven in the asymptomatic periodthe HSV-2 virus may remain in the epithelium and undergo secretion with vaginal discharge, semen or saliva.
Herpes and pregnancy (herpes in pregnancy)
Genital herpes is a huge threat to the fetus and newborn. In the case of vertical transmission of the HSV 2 virus, i.e. transmission from mother to child in the first or second trimester of pregnancy, miscarriage or serious developmental defects may occur.
The most dangerous for a child is natural birthwhen the mother has primary infection within the organs. In such situations, termination of pregnancy by caesarean section is recommended.
The effects of a perinatal infection may be:
- vesicular rash on the skin
- stomatitis
- keratitis
- meningitis
- encephalitis
- disseminated multi-organ changes
Herpes - diagnosis
Virus infection diagnosis can usually be made on the basis of clinical symptoms, but tests such as:
- detection of viral DNA using PCR
- cytology in Giemza staining
- immunofluorescence test using monoclonal antibodies to HSV-1 or HSV-2.
Herpes - treatment
The person who oncecontracted the herpes virusit is not possible to remove the virus from the body . The drugs used only serve to inhibit its replication.
For minor lesions caused by HSV1, topical treatment with zinc paste or antiviral drugs such as aciclovir, penciclovir, denotivir, docosanol or tromantadine is often sufficient. In more serious cases, aciclovir should be administered orally or intravenously.