Herpes: treatment, symptoms, prevention

Reproduction of infection

Reproduction occurs in the nucleus of the affected cell. Invading a cell, the herpes virus uses its structural components as building material, and also subjugates the cell’s synthesizing systems, “forcing” the production of substances necessary for the construction of new viruses. After infection of a cell, the synthesis of new viral proteins begins after 2 hours, and their number reaches a maximum after about 8 hours. The fastest rates of cloning of virions occur in the cells of the epithelium and mucous membranes, blood and lymphatic tissues.

Virus transmission

The virus is transmitted mainly by contact:

direct contact (including sexual transmission),
airborne droplets,
through household and hygiene items (shared towels, handkerchiefs, etc.)
vertical paths (from mother to fetus). Such infection can occur during childbirth (contact with the mother’s birth canal), transplacentally, or the virus enters the uterine cavity through the cervical canal of the cervix (ascending route).

Classification of viruses

According to the existing international classification, primary and recurrent genital herpes . The latter, in turn, is divided into typical and atypical clinical forms and asymptomatic viral shedding.

The term “genital herpes” arose at the beginning of the 20th century. to designate the lesion on the skin and mucous membranes of the external genitalia. With the development of virological research methods, information about “atypical” forms of the disease began to appear. The diagnosis “atypical form of genital herpes” is made by gynecologists to designate a chronic inflammatory process of the internal genitalia (colpitis, vulvovaginitis, endocervicitis, etc.) in the presence of a laboratory confirmed herpetic nature of the disease, in contrast to the “typical” picture of the disease, in which on the mucous membrane These organs have lesions with vesicular-erosive elements. At the same time, herpetic lesions of the urethra, anal area and rectal ampulla fall out of this group, although these organs are anatomically and functionally closely related to the genital area.

Research conducted at the Herpetic Center has shown that diagnosing the HSV virus is now complicated due to the fact that in 65% of cases the disease is atypical.

Isolation and identification of HSV

In specialized virology laboratories, HSV is isolated using the culture method. Its essence lies in the fact that the material for research (the contents of herpetic eruptions, human secretions) is placed on specially grown cells in which the virus begins to multiply. Then, after 5 days, the presence of HSV is determined by characteristic changes. Thus, we can say for sure that this disease is of a herpetic nature.

To identify the causative agent of HSV, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is widely used, which makes it possible to find out what type of herpes virus is present in the body. The material for research is taken with a special brush from the rash sites. The PNR method is highly sensitive and is performed within 24–48 hours.

How long does the virus live?

Fully formed and ready for subsequent reproduction, “daughter” infectious virions appear inside the infected cell after 10 hours, and their number becomes maximum after 15 hours. During its entire life, the primary (“mother”) viral particle reproduces from 10 to 100 “daughter” ones. viral particles, and 1 ml of the contents of a herpetic vesicle contains from 1000 to 10 million viral particles. Virions are extremely thermostable - they are inactivated (destroyed) at 50-52 degrees for 30 minutes, at 37.5 degrees for 20 hours, stable at 70 degrees, and remain in tissues for a long time. On metal surfaces (coins, door handles, water taps) it survives for 2 hours, on plastic and wood - up to 3 hours, in damp medical cotton wool and gauze during the entire drying time at room temperature (up to 6 hours). A unique biological property of viruses is the lifelong preservation of viruses in a modified form in the nerve cells of the regional (relative to the site of virus introduction) ganglia of sensory nerves. The most active herpes simplex viruses (labial and genital) in this regard, the least active are the Epstein-Barr virus.

All known varieties of viruses are capable of recurrence . For example, recurrence of infections caused by the herpes simplex virus is often observed against the background of stress, nonspecific endocrine disorders, changes in the geographic area of residence, increased solar radiation, etc. Asymptomatic relapses of cytomegalovirus infection are most often observed in pregnant women and patients receiving immunosuppressive and hormonal therapy . In general, herpetic infections take a recurrent course in no more than 8-20% of patients with obvious malfunctions of the immune system.

Herpes viruses can lead to infection of the fetus during pregnancy. Pregnancy is very often a physiological immunosuppressive factor (there is a natural decrease in immunity). In the cervical canal of pregnant women, the risk of intrauterine infection of the fetus, as well as infection of the child during childbirth, significantly increases. The virus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in pregnant women. Therefore, before an expected pregnancy, we recommend that expectant mothers be examined for the presence of herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus infection on the mucous membranes of the genital organs, determine the presence and level of antibodies to these viruses, and, if necessary, receive a course of preventive treatment.

Organs and systems of the body that can be affected by the herpes simplex virus and the diseases it causes:

Optic tract (keratitis, iridocyclitis, chorioretinitis, optic neuritis, phlebothrombosis)
ENT organs (pharyngitis, “herpetic sore throat”, laryngitis, external ear, sudden deafness, vestibular disorders)
Oral organs (stomatitis, gingivitis)
Skin and mucous membranes (face, lips, genital herpes, etc.)
Lungs (bronchopneumonia)
Cardiovascular system (myocarditis, myocardiopathy, participation of HSV in the processes underlying atherosclerosis)
Gastrointestinal tract (hepatitis, ileo-colitis, proctitis)
Female genital organs (colpitis, intrauterine HSV infection: endometritis, amnionitis, chorionitis, metroendometritis, reproductive dysfunction)
Male genital organs (prostatitis, urethritis, sperm damage)
CNS (encephalitis, sympathoglioneuritis, nerve plexus damage)
Psycho-emotional sphere (depression, aggravating influence of HSV on the course of hydrocyanic dementia and nuclear schizophrenia)
Lymphatic system (HSV lymphadenopathy)

Diagnosis of herpes virus infections

The most informative laboratory tests for diagnosing herpesvirus infections are the PCR method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Depending on the location of the infectious process, blood, saliva, scrapings from the urethra, cervical canal, and vesicles can be examined.

During the diagnosis, the qualitative and quantitative content of immunoglobulins M and G is determined, as well as avidity, an indicator that can be used to assess how efficiently the immune system copes with the virus.

For more successful treatment, a general examination of the body is additionally performed to identify chronic infections. Sluggish chronic pathologies of the genitourinary, respiratory, digestive and other systems can support and cause exacerbation of herpesvirus infections.

Reminder in case of illness

It must be remembered that when a rash appears, a person becomes acutely contagious. Moreover, not only those around him can suffer, but also the sick person himself. For example, from a lesion on the lips with dirty hands, the herpes virus can be carried into the eyes or genitals.

Therefore, it is important to follow the following rules

Do not touch lips affected by rashes. If you touch them, wash your hands thoroughly.
Use your own towel and utensils.
If your lips are affected, do not squeeze the blisters or pick off the scabs. This may cause additional skin infection.
Refrain from kissing and oral-genital contact.
If you wear contact lenses, do not wet them with saliva to moisten them.
Apply antiviral cream to your lips not with your fingers, but with cosmetic sticks.

Precautionary measures

In order for the disease to pass in a mild form and its complications to appear, the following recommendations should be followed:

Rule #1. Avoid touching your face with your hands, especially in the area of blisters. Otherwise, you risk spreading the infection to a larger area of skin.
Rule #2. During illness, be especially careful about your personal hygiene.
Rule #3. Isolate yourself and try to avoid close contact with people, especially the elderly and children.

Herpes symptoms

Cold sores are caused by human infection with herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-I). As a rule, a person first encounters a herpes infection in early childhood, becoming infected from a patient through kissing or sharing cutlery. It is also possible to become infected from relatives through airborne droplets from sneezing and coughing.

The most common form of infection caused by HSV-I is facial herpes, or “cold sores.” Moreover, during the first episode of HSV in a child, not only the lips are often affected, but also the skin in the area of the nasolabial triangle and the nasal mucosa. There are also herpetic stomatitis and herpetic sore throat. The virus then spreads along the nerves and permanently “settles” in the nerve ganglia. According to statistics, up to 90-95% of people are infected with the HSV-I virus. But this infection manifests itself in different ways. In more than 80% of those infected, the virus is in an inactive form and does not make itself felt.

However, in 17-20% of people, the HSV-I virus periodically “wakes up” and begins to actively multiply. This process is called relapse and is accompanied by the appearance of rashes on the face.

The most common factors that can trigger a recurrence of herpes include:

hypothermia;
colds and other viral or bacterial infections;
overwork;
stress;
injury;
menstruation;
“strict” diets, hypovitaminosis and exhaustion;
excessive passion for tanning;

The virus can infect any area of the skin or mucous membranes of the body. But most often, during a relapse, the lips and nasal mucosa become targets. For some, herpes on the face occurs only occasionally, being mainly a cosmetic defect. But for people with severely reduced immunity, the presence of the virus in the body can become a serious problem. So, for example, in AIDS patients, cancer patients, and people who have undergone organ transplantation, the common herpes virus can cause damage to internal organs.

Causes

There are many provoking factors leading to exacerbation of the disease. In addition to the weakening of immune forces, there are a number of other reasons:

Emotional stress, physical fatigue, stressful situations.
Long-term insolation.
Surgical interventions.
Taking immunosuppressive drugs.
Hormonal imbalances.

In addition, there may be a combination of several negative factors leading to the activation of infection in the body. During illness, it is important to isolate yourself from others.

Treatment of herpes

VACCINE “VITAGERPAVAC”

against herpes simplex virus (HSV) serotypes Ι and ΙΙ

Relapses that affect the lips or nasal mucosa respond well to local treatment with cream or ointment. In more severe cases, your doctor may recommend pills.

It must be remembered that early initiation of herpes treatment is the key to success. Before the bubbles appear, the lips become very sensitive, itching and tingling occur. And if the disease begins to be treated at the stage of these precursors, then rashes may not appear, and recovery will occur as soon as possible.

Today there are no drugs that would completely destroy the herpes virus in the human body. However, there is a group of special antiviral agents that effectively suppress the reproduction of HSV-I.

If you start using antiviral cream for existing rashes, healing occurs faster than with other treatment methods.

Taking tests to diagnose herpes and CMV infection.

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Therapeutic measures

The herpes simplex virus parasitizes inside cells, so antibiotics do not affect it. And antiseptics such as cauterizing solutions, ointments and creams can only temporarily stop the superficial spread of infection, but will not kill the virus itself. The leading role in the treatment of herpes is given to antiviral drugs, among which are acyclic nucleosides and a group of interferons, in particular Viferon. In a complex treatment regimen, VIFERON® performs two main functions: it leads to the destruction of the virus at any stage of its reproduction and strengthens the defenses, including helping to get rid of secondary immunodeficiency.

Based on materials:

“HERPES VIRUS INFECTION: Epidemiology, clinical picture, diagnosis, prevention and treatment”, Yu.V. Ananyina, Karazhas N.V., Malyshev N.A., Rybalkina T.N., Kalugina M.Yu., Boshyan R.E., Kisteneva L.B., Cheshik S.G., Mazankova L.N., Vyzhlova E.N.

Materials were prepared by employees based on open information sources

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Serodiagnosis

Antibodies to the herpes virus appear in the blood serum by 4-7 days after the initial infection, reach a peak after 2-3 weeks and can persist throughout life. The diagnosis is made by the characteristic increase in antibodies and determination of their class. For example, the detection of a certain level of immunoglobulin M (antibodies) indicates a primary infection of a person or an exacerbation of herpes. The detection of a certain level of immunoglobulin G indicates that the human body has encountered the virus and has developed antibodies - the person is infected, but not infectious to others. The result is known the next day. The analysis can be repeated at intervals of several days.