Herpes

Herpes: what is it and how to fight it?

Herpes is a disease of the skin and mucous membranes caused by herpes viruses. This virus can cause small blisters to appear on affected areas, which can occur on the lips or elsewhere. There are several types of herpes viruses, but the most common are the first and second types.

The first type of herpes manifests itself as small blisters that appear on or around the lips. This is the so-called herpes simplex. The second type causes genital herpes, which manifests itself as itchy rashes on the genitals. Both types of herpes can cause both genital herpes and herpes simplex, depending on where the infection occurs.

Herpes is transmitted in various ways, including through airborne droplets from sneezing, kissing, intimate intimacy, and in some other cases that involve close skin-to-skin contact, such as in a bathhouse. Herpes viruses can infect the conjunctiva of the eye. Herpes zoster is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which can lead to chickenpox. The occurrence of herpes zoster is due to the fact that, being in a latent state in the body, when the immune system is weakened, it gains the opportunity to manifest itself.

Diseases caused by the herpes virus have been known for a long time. They were studied and treated by ancient physicians. In the 17th century, herpes was nicknamed “the disease of the French king” in honor of Louis XIV, who suffered from fever. But herpes attracted close attention from scientists after the advent of AIDS. It turned out that all patients with immunodeficiency necessarily have herpes. It turned out that herpes indicates damage to the immune system.

Herpes infection is not as scary as HIV, but it is much more common. Studies have shown that 99% of people are affected by the herpes virus. By the age of 5, a child can catch herpes. The virus multiplies in the nasopharynx, where it is warm and there is a lot of mucus. Next, the herpes virus enters the blood through the lymph, spreads throughout the body and finds an inaccessible refuge - in the nodes of the peripheral nervous system of the spinal cord, from where it begins to secretly destroy the body, slowly colonizing it. Externally, this destructive work manifests itself in the form of relapses of herpes.

There are various ways to fight herpes. There are medications that can help shorten the duration of a flare-up and reduce symptoms. These medications are called antiviral drugs and can be taken either internally or externally. In addition, there are a number of recommendations that help reduce the risk of contracting herpes and reduce the frequency of exacerbations, such as:

1. Avoid close contact with infected people and do not share personal belongings with them;
2. Avoid stressful situations, as they can cause aggravation;
3. Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep;
4. Maintain hand hygiene and avoid touching affected areas of the skin to avoid spreading the infection to other parts of the body.

It is important to remember that herpes is a chronic disease that cannot be completely cured. However, with proper treatment and preventive measures, the frequency and duration of exacerbations can be reduced and quality of life improved. If you suspect you have herpes, consult your doctor for advice and treatment.

Herpes is one of the most common viral infections that affects the skin and mucous membranes, and can also be transmitted through blood and other fluids. Herpes viruses are a family of more than 80 different viruses that can cause a variety of diseases. The most common type of herpes that affects most people is herpes simplex (HSV), caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2. Herpes simplex virus

Herpes is a group of viruses that cause various diseases transmitted mainly through mucous membranes and skin. The first type of herpes is caused by the HSV-1 virus (Herpes Simplex Virus 1). HSV affects the lining of the mouth, eyes and genitals, as well as the skin around the lips and mouth. The second type of herpes is caused by the HSV-2 virus. If it affects the genitals, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), in particular vaginal herpes (syn. vaginal herpes), are possible. Herpes can also affect the lips and eyes. Severe cases of the disease are especially common in immunocompromised patients, pregnant women, the elderly, infants and people with HIV/AIDS.

Etiology. Viruses of the herpesvirus family, resistant to freezing and drying, remain in the human body for a long time in an inactive state in nerve cells. The disease can arise from contact of a healthy person with a patient with any of the listed forms of herpes, including herpes zoster, chickenpox, and ordinary herpes. Transmission of the pathogen is possible from mother to fetus.

Clinical picture. The incubation period often lasts about 5 days, with herpetic stomatitis - 3 days. The prodromal period does not last long, usually 24 hours. Against the background of precursors - adynamia, weakness, but without an increase in body temperature, before the development of catarrhal inflammation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and facial skin - sometimes a lot of time passes from local symptoms to prodromal phenomena, which complicates diagnosis. During the prodrome, patients complain of back pain. Catarrhal gi

Herpes is a viral infection that manifests itself as itchy blisters on the skin and mucous membranes. The virus is transmitted through microscopic breaks in the skin through contact with infected surfaces or through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. Herpes can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the type of virus and the state of the person's immune system.

Types of Herpes There are several types of herpes, which can appear on different parts of the body. The most common types of herpes are:

Herpes simplex (human herpes, genital herpes, or herpes zucchini) is the most common type of herpes. It manifests itself as redness, swelling and painful blisters on the lips. The blisters may burst, causing ulcers to form. Herpes simplex can also appear on the nose, eyelids, mouth, chest, back and genitals. Herpes simplex symptoms go away within a few days, but if the infection worsens, symptoms may persist for several weeks or months.

Chickenpox is another type of herpes, also called chickenpox. It is characterized by the appearance of a skin rash, usually on