Symptoms of herpes on the lips and methods of treating the infectious disease

Herpes infection is a chronic disease caused by the herpes virus. The pathogen is detected in half of children before the age of three, the rest become infected later. 95% of the population is diagnosed with herpesvirus of various types.

What is a herpetic infection

Herpes infection is the collective name for eight varieties of the herpes virus that exist in nature and infect the human body. According to the classification of herpes infection, there are:

1. The first type of virus provokes labial herpes, a characteristic rash appears on the lips and wings of the nose. It is transmitted by airborne droplets and household contact.
2. The second type is genital herpes, which affects the genitals and is transmitted through sexual contact.
3. The third type is herpes zoster, which appears on the body as chickenpox or shingles.
4. The fourth type is known as the Epstein-Barr virus, the disease occurs in the form of infectious mononucleosis.
5. The fifth type, cytomegalovirus, is extremely dangerous for pregnant women, as it can cause severe pathologies in the fetus.
6. Types of herpes six to eight have not yet been studied enough; doctors suggest that the pathogen can provoke chronic fatigue syndrome, a sudden rash on the body, Kaposi's sarcoma, and also be involved in multiple sclerosis, cervical carcinoma, etc.

Most often, the body is affected by herpes of the first and second types, and many people have also encountered chickenpox, which occurs mainly in childhood. Other types of the virus are much less common.

The herpes virus was first isolated more than a hundred years ago. Scientists have described it as an extremely small pathogen that contains DNA.

When penetrating into a favorable environment - the host's body - the herpes virus actively multiplies, creating hundreds of copies inside itself.

Overview of Herpes Virus Infection

Causes

The immediate cause of the disease is the penetration of the herpes virus into the body. Ways of transmission of the herpes virus to a healthy person:

1. Tactile contact - infection is possible when a person touches active viral particles, for example, when smearing burst herpes vesicles on a sick person.
2. Airborne - the virus is released into the air when coughing or sneezing.
3. Sexual contact - from an infected sexual partner, since the pathogen is contained in semen and the vaginal environment, as well as through tactile contact, if the patient develops a rash on the genitals.
4. From mother to fetus - there is a risk of developing congenital herpes infection. Infection occurs in several ways: ascending (when the virus infects the ovum, rising from the vagina to the embryo), transplacentally (penetrating the placenta), intranatally (during labor), postnatally (if the virus is activated in the first hours or days after birth).
5. Autoinoculation – self-infection is possible when a person scratches the vesicles and transfers the virus on their hands to other parts of the body, for example, the genitals.
6. The transfusion route of transmission is through blood transfusion.

Primary infection

It is enough for a person to encounter a primary herpes infection once, and the pathogen firmly lingers in his body - through the skin, microcracks, and especially wounds and scratches, the pathogen penetrates the human blood and affects the nervous system, hiding in the nerve ganglia. A person is most contagious in the first two years after the virus enters the body. Subsequently, the body suppresses its activity, it becomes less aggressive and dangerous. A herpetic infection can be congenital if it is acquired during childbirth or transmitted in utero.

Causes of relapses

Activation of the virus occurs under unfavorable circumstances, when a person’s immunity sharply decreases. Before this, the virus is in a hidden, latent state, and may not manifest itself for a long time.

With strong immunity, patients may not even suspect for several years that they are carriers of the herpes virus. If the immune system is severely weakened and a large number of viral particles enter the blood, generalized herpes is possible, which can be fatal.

Sometimes congenital herpetic infections end this way if the child is weak (underweight, premature birth, concomitant pathologies).

Herpes virus - who is to blame and what to do

Symptoms and localization for different pathogens

Labial herpes

The symptoms of the herpes virus directly depend on what type of pathogen the patient is infected with. The most typical form that most patients are accustomed to seeing is labial herpes.

The disease has a second “popular” name - cold, fever, since herpes often accompanies hypothermia, decreased immunity after an infection.

Activates during the cold season.

It mainly appears on the face, affecting the mucous membranes of the nose and lips. The course of the virus is typical - the skin begins to itch, swelling appears, and after a few hours you can notice small vesicles.

The rashes on the skin increase in size within 2-3 days, after which they burst, and the ulcers heal. Inside these vesicles are thousands of living, active viral particles that the immune system fights.

The vesicles open on their own at the stage when the viral particles are already inactivated and are not dangerous. The disease caused by the herpes simplex virus lasts from 7 to 12 days.

Labial herpes on the lips

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Genital herpes

The second type of virus is called genital - this type of herpes is characterized by lesions of the skin of the genital organs. Typical rashes appear on the surface of the labia of women, in the perineum, and on the head of the penis. The prodromal period is characterized by the same symptoms.

Since when localized in the genital area there is a risk of injury to the vesicles, the infection in skin diseases often spreads to the inner side of the thighs, near the anus. The area of ​​the rash turns red, becomes hot to the touch, and touching it is painful.

The duration of herpes is the same - one and a half weeks.

Genital herpes

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Varicella-Zoster virus

Herpes of the third type is the causative agent of chickenpox, which affects most children in childhood. The pathogen causes the appearance of blisters on the body with transparent contents inside.

Rashes are characterized by widespread skin manifestations - the rash can be found throughout the body.

In most children, chickenpox does not cause serious symptoms - the temperature rarely rises above low-grade fever, the child may refuse to eat, and in the first days looks drowsy and lethargic. After a couple of days, when the vesicles stop appearing, the patient’s condition returns to normal.

Herpesvirus of the third type hides in the body, and with a decrease in immunity it can be a repeated infection in the form of herpes zoster - with this manifestation, the vesicles are usually localized in the lumbar region, they are crowded and merge into herpetic conglomerate islands. Herpes zoster provokes an increase in body temperature, enlarged lymph nodes, and neuralgic pain. Usually, after a few days when active treatment begins, the general symptoms subside, and the vesicles themselves on the body disappear within a few weeks.

Photo No. 1 - herpes zoster, photo No. 2 - chickenpox

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Epstein-Barr

Herpes type 4 occurs in the form of infectious mononucleosis. Mononucleosis occurs predominantly in children and young people.

When the virus becomes active, patients complain of a sharp deterioration in their health – body temperature rises, fever, headaches and fever begin.

Typical symptoms include sore throat, muscle pain, nausea and loss of appetite. The liver and spleen may enlarge, and signs of jaundice may appear.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in children: symptoms (temperature), consequences, prevention, vaccination

Cytomegalovirus

The fifth type of herpes virus is called cytomegalovirus. Often it remains in the body without visible manifestations, and during an exacerbation, the course of this type of herpes is more similar to infectious mononucleosis. At the initial stage, patients develop chills, fever, and a febrile state.

The lymph nodes swell, and the throat becomes painful when swallowing, swelling and redness. As the disease progresses, muscle pain appears, dry mouth appears, shooting pain appears in the salivary glands, and the mucous membrane itself turns red.

Patients find it difficult to swallow and breathe.

Symptoms of cytomegalovirus

Other types of herpesvirus

The sixth type of herpes is the most mysterious form of the disease. The manifestations of this type of herpes are very diverse, so diagnosing the pathology can be difficult.

Patients may be diagnosed with redness of the pharynx, fever, catarrhal otitis, swelling of the eyelids, lymphadenopathy, encephalitis, febrile convulsions.

Doctors suspect that persistent herpesvirus infection may be associated with the appearance of pathologies such as hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, hemophagocytosis, and eosinophilia.

During primary infection, herpes occurs as mononucleosis, accompanied by fever and intoxication.

Herpetic infection can provoke chronic fatigue syndrome, encephalitis, febrile convulsions.

Herpes type eight is associated with Kaposi's sarcoma. The pathogen primarily attacks the lymphatic system and manifests itself as malignant lesions of the skin.

Symptoms of the disease are bluish-brown spots on the legs and feet. The rash transforms into clearly defined nodes, their size can reach from one to five centimeters.

The nodes are able to connect with each other, and after some time ulcers appear in their place.

Types of herpes and their symptoms - Galina Vinogradova

How is diagnosis done?

Diagnosis of infection can be made using direct types. To do this, samples are taken (scraped) directly from the surface of the skin - from the skin, mucous membranes, blood and sperm. Cultural analysis allows you to determine the presence of pathogen DNA, but a positive result for the virus can only be obtained in the active phase of the disease.

The polymerase chain reaction method can determine the type of herpesvirus in the blood, but only if there is a relapse of the disease. PCR has a huge disadvantage - it produces false results. For chronic herpetic infection, the method has unreliable results.

Serological research methods are enzyme immunoassay and immunoblotting. Today, these are one of the most accurate methods for determining the pathogen, or rather, not the virus itself, but antibodies to it.

Treatment methods

Antiviral drugs and immunomodulatory agents are mainly used to treat herpes infection. Complications of herpetic infection are relieved with symptomatic medications - analgesics, antipyretics, external preparations for healing the skin. The most effective therapy against herpes are:

1. Acyclovir is an effective antiviral agent, available in the form of ointments and tablets. It is well tolerated and has few negative consequences. Apply the ointment every three hours to the surface of the skin with the rash. Tablets are taken 2 to 5 times a day, as recommended by a doctor.
2. Valtrex is available exclusively in tablet form. The drug is more effective than Acyclovir. The tablets should be taken three times a day at equal intervals, the course of therapy is up to 7 days.
3. Allomedin is a new drug whose action is based on stimulating local immunity. It is best to use at the initial stage of the appearance of herpes. The surface of the skin should be treated with gel 2-3 times a day.

For recurrent herpetic infections, patients are recommended, in addition to immunomodulators, fortified preparations, local products to improve skin regeneration with vitamins A and E.

Possible complications

Among the many complications of herpes infection in adults and children, the following complications can be identified:

• damage to the gastrointestinal mucosa - ulcers, erosions;
• eye lesions – keratitis, herpetic conjunctivitis, iridocyclitis;
• damage to the central nervous system - herpetic encephalitis, peripheral neuritis, paralysis, paresis;
• urogenital lesions – herpetic urethritis, cervicitis, erosions;
• herpetic pneumonia and hepatitis;
• damage to the joints and urinary system;
• malignancy of tumors.

Prevention

Prevention of herpes infection consists of a few simple steps that people can take to avoid contracting herpes initially or triggering a recurrence:

• wash your hands with soap after contact with skin that shows signs of a herpetic rash;
• use personal hygiene products;
• with active genital herpes, refrain from intimate contact so as not to infect your partner;
• Boost your immunity in every possible way - eat right, exercise, harden yourself.

Almost every person has a herpetic infection in the body, but this does not mean that the patient needs to wait for frequent relapses. With strong immunity, the body can weaken the virus and make it practically inactive.

Source: https://herpes.center/gerpesvirus/gerpeticheskaya-infekciya

Herpetic rashes on the lips: nature of the disease, symptoms, treatment

Herpes on the lips is a chronic infectious viral disease . Pathogenic particles enter the body through the skin and become embedded in the replication apparatus of nerve cells.

Periodically, when the immune system weakens for some internal reason, the virus migrates back to the cells of the upper layers of the skin and infects them, resulting in painful blisters.

In nature, there are 8 varieties of herpes viruses to which the human body is susceptible. And each is characterized by different localizations of rashes:

1. Herpes simplex virus type 1 . Affects the skin of the upper torso. It may appear on the lips, cheeks, eyebrows, chin, nose, ears or eyes. According to statistics, about 70% of the world's population is infected with this type of herpes virus.
2. Herpes simplex virus type 2 . It is transmitted sexually and is localized in the lower part of the body: on the genitals. The disease increases the risk of developing STIs. Infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or infection of the fetus.
3. Herpes virus type 3 or Herpes zoster . It causes chickenpox, which affects almost all children. After recovery, a person remains a virus carrier for the rest of his life. Relapses, if they occur, provoke the development of herpes zoster. It is localized in the upper part of the body. Affects the skin in the chest, neck, and lower back areas.
4. Herpes virus type 4 or Epstein-Barr . It is the causative agent of mononucleosis, a disease characterized by damage to the pharynx, liver, spleen and changes in the morphology of blood cells. The infection is acute: there is a significant increase in temperature and pain in the area of ​​the lymph nodes.
5. Herpes virus type 5 . Provokes the development of cytomegalovirus infection. Symptoms of the disease rarely appear, as it is characterized by sluggish virus carriage. Both primary infection and relapses are dangerous for the fetus, as they lead to the development of birth defects.
6. Herpes virus type 6 . It provokes a disease such as roseola infantum. Its other names are sixth disease, three-day fever, pseudorubella or sudden exanthema. Most often, roseolovirus occurs in children under two years of age and does not require specific treatment.
7. Herpes virus type 7 . According to many scientists, it is the cause of the development of chronic fatigue syndrome. The mechanism of its occurrence is logical: the virus accumulates in the centers of the ANS - the autonomic nervous system, where it provokes inhibition of the zone responsible for inhibitory processes.
8. Herpes virus type 8 . Causes a number of dangerous pathologies, including Kaposi's sarcoma, lymphoma of the serous cavities, and Castleman's disease. But it is activated only with a long-term and persistent decrease in immunity. For example, with HIV.

Persons whose bodies have already developed antibodies to virus-1 do not have antibodies to virus-2. And the localization of rashes can change: herpes of the second type can affect the lips, and the first type - the genitals. Therefore, doctors recommend avoiding oral-genital contact.

Conclusion: herpes on the lips appears when the first type of virus is activated. Less often - the second. In the medical literature you can find other names for these pathogenic particles: Herpes simplex virus, HSV-1 (2), Human herpes virus or HSV-1 (2).

Paths and stages of infection

HSV-1 can be infected both from a sick person and from a carrier. Usually, the first contact with the virus occurs in infancy, but herpes on the lips appears later: when immunity decreases.

Methods of infection:

• Contact: through a kiss, a handkerchief, lipstick.
• Airborne: when being near a person who has had a relapse of the disease.
• Sexual: with oral-genital contact.
• Intrauterine: infection of the fetus from the mother.
• Transfusion: with blood or plasma transfusion.

When a viral particle lands on the skin, it “looks” for the easiest ways to enter the body. These are the soft mucous membranes of the lips. That is why herpes affects them more often than areas near the lips, nose, ears, cheeks and eyes, which are not as favorable for its development.

Immediately after infection, the virus penetrates the axons of nerve cells, migrates along the nerves to their replication apparatus and integrates its genetic material (DNA) into the chromosomes of the host cells. As a result, infected cells begin to produce new viral particles, and the person becomes a lifelong carrier of herpes on the lips.

The body is able to suppress the primary infection. When this happens, the patient will develop immunity to the virus. New pathogens produced by infected host cells will be immediately destroyed by antibodies - an equilibrium will arise.

But acquired immunity is not sterile. In the event of a decrease in the protective functions of the body, for example, due to a lack of vitamins, individual viral particles along the dendrites (processes) of neurons will reach the surface of the skin and infect its cells, as a result of which herpes on the lips will enter the active phase.

Main conclusions:

1. After penetrating the chromosomes of cells, it is impossible to destroy HSV-1, since it is stored in them in the form of genes. To do this, it would be necessary to replace all the neurons, and modern medicine is not yet capable of this.
2. External manifestations of HSV-1 begin to bother a person only after the immune system has weakened. When healthy, the virus is in “sleep mode.”

Interesting fact! 5% of people are immune to Herpes simplex virus 1. The reasons for this phenomenon are still unknown.

What leads to relapses

Primary infection with HSV-1 is often asymptomatic. And re-activation of herpes on the lips is possible only at moments when a person’s immunity decreases. The latter can occur under the influence of such factors:

• Hypothermia.
• Food or chemical poisoning.
• Lack of vitamins.
• Living in unfavorable conditions.
• Frequent colds and infectious diseases.
• Pathologies of the skin and mucous membranes.
• AIDS and the development of malignant tumors.
• Severe and/or prolonged stress.
• Diabetes mellitus, adrenal dysfunction or other endocrine pathologies.

In some carriers of HSV-1, the infection never manifests itself. They usually don't even know they are infected.

Signs and stages of the disease

Symptoms of herpes on the lips appear no earlier than 7–30 days after the pathogens enter the human body. The process of development of the disease can be divided into 4 characteristic stages:

1. First, the patient begins to feel itching, and the future affected area becomes red. These are the first signs of the development of herpes on the lips. If, after detecting them, you immediately begin ointment therapy, you can avoid rashes .
2. Then the itching intensifies, and a small, painful blister filled with clear liquid appears on the lip, which gradually increases in size. As the formation grows, the exudate filling it becomes cloudy.
3. After 2–4 days, the vesicle bursts and liquid flows out of it, which contains a huge amount of viral agents. At this stage of herpes on the lips, the patient is most dangerous to others, since pathogenic particles easily survive in the external environment and are spread by airborne droplets.
4. Over the next 7 days, the herpes heals: ulcers form in place of the burst blisters, then they dry out, the crusts fall off, and the skin begins to recover. If treatment for herpes on the lips was started late, then at this stage a new relapse may occur .

As the disease develops, some people experience generalized symptoms: general malaise, headache, fever. Most often this happens during primary infection.

Which doctor should I contact?

Treatment of herpes on the lips is the task of a dermatologist or infectious disease specialist. If bubbles characteristic of the disease appear on the oral mucosa, you can visit the dentist. In the eye area - an ophthalmologist. On the genitals - a gynecologist or urologist.

To find out and eliminate the cause that led to a decrease in immunity and activation of viral agents, you should consult a therapist. And to prescribe medications that help restore the body’s defenses, contact an immunologist.

Diagnosis of the disease

Herpes leads to the formation of very specific rashes, so a quick examination is usually enough to make a correct diagnosis. If necessary, doctors may order laboratory tests such as:

1. ELISA or enzyme immunoassay is a test of blood from a vein. It consists of detecting antibodies to Human herpesvirus in the patient’s blood. If there are immune particles in the body, then there is a pathogen. Moreover, by the concentration of antibodies in the sample, it is possible to determine what led to the appearance of the rash: primary infection or relapse of chronic herpes. Because it increases over time.
2. PCR or polymerase chain reaction - examination of blood or the contents of vesicles. It consists of detecting the DNA of the virus in the taken material. That is, the procedure is aimed at searching for a specific pathogen.
3. Immunofluorescence - examination of the contents of vesicles. It involves detecting virus antigens. If a pathogen is present in the patient’s body, then after chemical reactions the taken material will begin to glow.
4. General blood and urine tests. They are always prescribed, no matter what disease is suspected. With herpes on the lips, the indicators are usually normal.

How to cure herpes

Most often, the disease is treated at home. However, with the development of complications and severe manifestations, inpatient therapy is prescribed.

The list of medications depends on the stage of the disease.

During the period of exacerbation, antiherpetic drugs, immunomodulators that restore cellular immunity, as well as interferon inducers are indicated.

And during remission of herpes on the lips, treatment should be aimed at reducing the intoxication syndrome and strengthening the body’s protective functions with the help of adaptogens, antioxidants and prostaglandin inhibitors.

The following medications can be used to treat herpes on the lips:

Name of the medication
Release form
Operating principle
Terms of use

Acyclovir; Zovirax; Gerpevir.	Ointment or cream	The active substance of the product interacts with the DNA molecules of the virus and breaks them, which prevents the pathogen from multiplying.	Apply to the affected area of ​​skin 5 times a day. The course of treatment is 7–10 days.
Remantadine; Rimantadine; Algirem; Flumadin; Polyrem.	Tablets 100 mg	They block the penetration of viral particles into the cell and inhibit the exit from it, which leads to a decrease in the number of pathogens in the body.	Adults take 1 tablet 2 times a day.
Famciclovir; Famvir; Minaker.	Tablets 250 mg	The active substance of the drugs penetrates the infected cell and suppresses the replication of viral DNA, which helps cure herpes on the lips.	Take 1 tablet 3 times a day.
Gel	Activates antibody recognition of infected skin cells and helps suppress the replication of viral particles.	Apply to “cold” lips several times a day. The duration of treatment is three days.
Gel	Interacts with receptors of affected skin cells and helps suppress DNA replication of viral particles.	Apply to affected areas every 12 hours.

Attention! When treating herpes on the lips with these medications, read the instructions included with them: there are contraindications. And also do not forget to wash your hands before and after applying ointments to avoid infection of healthy areas of the skin: eyes, cheeks, ears.

Folk remedies

Herpes on the lips can be treated using traditional therapy. It will not replace medication, but will speed up the healing of damaged skin.

The following remedies can quickly and effectively cope with the disease:

1. Peppermint. Combine 1 tbsp. l. plants and 200 ml of water, place the mixture in a water bath and boil for 15 minutes. Apply the decoction to herpes on the lips several times a day.
2. Garlic. Grate 2 cloves on a fine grater and wrap in gauze. Apply the compress to the inflamed area for 5–10 minutes. You should not keep the product on for longer, as you may get burned.
3. Fir oil. Lubricate the cold sores on your lips every 2 hours.
4. Propolis tincture. Apply the liquid to a cotton swab or swab and lubricate the sore that remains in place of the blister. After cauterization, it is recommended to use an emollient cream.
5. Hydrogen peroxide. Dip a cotton swab into the preparation and treat the herpes on the lip. Repeat after 12 hours.
6. Soda. Boil 200 ml of water, add 1 tbsp. l. substances and stir until dissolved. Soak a cotton swab in the resulting mixture and apply to the herpetic vesicle. Carry out the procedure every 3 hours.

Prevention of herpes

The relapse rate can be reduced. The first step is to adjust your diet. Preference is given to products that are rich in lysine, an amino acid that inhibits the reproduction of the virus. It is found in milk, fruits, vegetables and poultry. You will have to give up chocolate and raisins, since these products are rich in arginine, an amino acid that is necessary for viral particles to reproduce.

Since herpes on the lips appears only against the background of weakened immunity, it is necessary to constantly strengthen it. To do this, you need to harden yourself, be in the fresh air, engage in brisk walking, cycling or other active pastime. Take vitamin complexes. And, most importantly, consult a therapist at least once a year.

To prevent infection with the herpes virus, it is necessary to limit contact with people who show clear signs of recurrent or primary infection. Especially if the herpes on the lips has not yet become covered with a dried crust.

Source: https://StomaGet.ru/bolezni/gub/lechenie-gerpesa-na-gubah

Herpes on the lips: main symptoms

Herpetic rashes can manifest themselves differently depending on the state of the immune system. Symptoms of herpes on the lips go through certain stages of development, which have varying intensities.

Main symptoms

First stage of herpes

During this period (incubation), the first symptoms are noted, which can be characterized as inflammation on the lip. The patient feels itching and burning, but there are no visible signs. Primary herpes is accompanied by malaise and a feeling of weakness.

While a relapse of the disease occurs, as a rule, against the background of an already existing weakening of the immune system as a result of some infectious process or stress.
In addition to itching and burning, during the incubation period the body temperature may rise, chills, general weakness, headache and a feeling of weakness may occur.

Since repeated herpes is a frequent accompaniment of infectious diseases, a person can explain his condition by the onset of ARI.

Second stage: redness

The incubation period for herpes on the lips is very short. Within two hours, in some cases the next morning, a person notices redness and swelling on the lip . During this period, the onset of the disease becomes noticeable.

The itching and burning do not stop, but only intensify.
At this stage of herpes, viral particles that have entered the blood from the nervous tissue begin to actively invade the epithelial cells on the lips.

The cells gradually die, and the epithelium peels off, after which the next stage of the disease occurs.

Third stage: appearance of vesicles

This period is called a cold on the lips, since the main symptoms of this stage are rashes.
Herpetic rashes have a characteristic appearance and stage of development. First, one or more bubbles with clear liquid appear on the lip. This happens a day or two after redness. Gradually these bubbles merge. And after some time, the vesicle looks like an abscess, since it contains a large accumulation of viral particles. A person who has herpes in the blistering stage on his lips tries to avoid close contact with people, and this is understandable, since he does not look entirely healthy. But not only because of appearance, you need to avoid close contact: at the bubble stage there is the greatest chance of infecting someone around you .

Stage four: appearance of ulcers

After 3-4 days, the covering of the blisters bursts, and a wound remains in their place. It is painful, constantly wet, and does not look very pleasant. The skin on the lip around this ulcer is red and swollen.

The herpes pathogen continues to be released from the wound, so you need to take some precautions so as not to infect others. The main thing is not to touch the wound with your fingers or scratch it.

At this stage, it is important to frequently treat the wound with antiseptic solutions (brilliant, potassium permanganate).

Crust formation stage

As with any wound, after an exacerbation of herpes, a crust or scab appears on the ulcer, which promotes speedy healing. Signs of healing appear as soon as a crust begins to form.

It is very important not to pick off the formed scab during this period, since an infectious complication may accompany the disease. But it is a mistake to think that this stage is not contagious.

However, some amount of the virus may be on the lips.

Healing stage

The duration of healing can be up to 1-1.5 weeks. This is because the surface layer of the skin must be completely restored. This whole process must take place under the crust.

If you tear off this protective layer at least once, the healing will last much longer.
When the skin is completely restored after herpes, the crust will fall off by itself, without leaving any scars.

A scar will appear if the crust is constantly torn off.

Mechanism of the disease

Primary contact with viral particles will lead to infection. In most cases, the initial symptoms and symptoms of relapses are very similar.

This is due to the fact that after penetrating the mucous membrane, the virus begins intensive division, penetrates the sensitive processes of nerve cells, along which it moves to the very nucleus of these cells, where it is integrated into the genetic material and remains there forever. And the nucleus of these cells is located in the spinal cord, where the virus comes from during exacerbations.

On the mucous membrane and skin of the lips, the virus multiplies rapidly and infects more and more new cells until the body’s own immune defense is activated and the production of antibodies begins. Only then does recovery begin.

Development of relapse

When a person experiences certain adverse events, herpes comes out of the cells of the nervous system. Such unfavorable factors include:

• stress;
• infectious diseases;
• exacerbation of chronic pathology;
• overheating or hypothermia;
• violation of the rest and work regime.

After some time, the number of antibodies produced decreases, and the immune system cannot fully respond to the repeated release of viral particles from the nervous tissue.

The slightest weakening of the immune system will lead to activation of the virus, but the immune system will not be able to respond instantly, and the symptoms of herpes will again make themselves felt.
Activated viral particles travel along the same processes of nerve cells to the areas from which the infection occurred.

Therefore, rashes of herpes, which primarily penetrated through the oral mucosa, cannot appear on the genitals.

In some cases, signs of relapse may be erased or go unnoticed. This occurs when the amount of antibodies in the blood against the virus is sufficient to suppress the release of viral particles. But there are severe complications of herpes and atypical forms of herpes infection.

Complications of herpes on the lips

A person with herpetic rashes on the lips can independently provoke complications of herpes.
This happens when, after touching the sore, the patient rubs his eyes with unwashed hands. But complications arise not only after this; significant immunodeficiency often leads to them. The following possible complications are identified:

1. Stomatitis. The symptoms of this disease are very striking: sharply painful ulcers appear in the mouth, which cause great inconvenience, and body temperature rises.
2. Eye damage. As a rule, it occurs when hand hygiene is not observed. The cornea suffers. Eyes fester, increased lacrimation
3. Gingivitis has the same nature and symptoms as stomatitis.
4. Meningitis and encephalitis. Serious diseases that affect the central nervous system. More typical for children. A severe headache occurs, the temperature rises, and focal neurological symptoms occur.
5. Skin necrosis at the site of herpetic eruptions. This complication occurs with severe immunodeficiency, both congenital and acquired.

When complications appear in the form of ophthalmoherpes, meningitis, encephalitis, skin necrosis, we can immediately talk about a serious deficiency of the immune response. In this case, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Herpes on the lips: main symptoms Link to main publication

Source: https://GerpInfo.com/gerpes/simptomy.html

Herpetic infection

Herpetic infection is a chronic recurrent infection caused by the herpes simplex virus and characterized by predominant damage to the integumentary tissues and nerve cells. The main route of transmission of herpes infection is contact, but airborne and transplacental transmission of the virus is possible. A distinctive feature of herpes infection is the ability of viruses to persist for a long time in the nerve ganglia. This leads to relapses of herpes during periods of decreased body defenses. Manifestations of herpes infection include herpes labialis, genital herpes, visceral herpes, generalized herpes, herpetic stomatitis and conjunctivitis.

Herpetic infection is a chronic recurrent infection caused by the herpes simplex virus and characterized by predominant damage to the integumentary tissues and nerve cells. Currently, there are two types of herpes simplex virus.

Type I of the virus primarily affects the mucous membranes and skin of the mouth, nose, eyes, and is transmitted primarily through household contact; type II causes genital herpes and is transmitted primarily through sexual contact. The reservoir and source of herpetic infection is a person: a carrier or a patient.

The release of the pathogen can continue for a very long time.

The transmission mechanism is contact; the virus is released onto the surface of the affected mucous membranes and skin. In addition to the main routes of transmission for type I of the virus, airborne droplets and airborne dust can also occur, and type II can be transmitted vertically from mother to child (transplacentally and intranatally).

Viruses that have entered the body tend to persist for a long time (mainly in ganglion cells), causing relapses of infection during periods of weakening of the body's defenses (colds, vitamin deficiencies).

Herpetic infection is classified according to the predominant damage to certain tissues: herpes of the skin, mucous membrane of the mouth, eyes, acute respiratory viral infections, genital herpes, visceral herpes, herpetic damage to the nervous system, herpes of newborns, generalized form.

Herpetic infection

The incubation period of herpetic infection is usually 2-12 days, the onset can be either acute or gradual, often the primary infection goes completely unnoticed by the patient, and the course of the disease becomes recurrent.

Relapses can occur 2-3 times a year, or extremely rarely - 1-2 times every 10 years or less.

Relapses tend to develop against a background of weakened immunity, so clinical manifestations of herpes often accompany ARVI, pneumonia, and other acute infections.

Herpetic skin lesions are localized mainly on the lips and wings of the nose. First, itching and burning are subjectively felt in a localized area of ​​the skin, then this area thickens, vesicles are formed on it, filled with transparent contents, which gradually become cloudy.

The blisters break open, leaving behind shallow erosions and crusts that heal after a few days without consequences. Sometimes bacterial flora penetrates through damaged skin, causing secondary suppuration and complicating healing. Regional lymphadenitis may be observed (the nodes are enlarged and slightly painful).

There are no general symptoms observed, or the disease occurs against the background of other infections that cause additional symptoms.

Herpetic lesions of the oral mucosa are characterized by the occurrence of acute or recurrent stomatitis. The disease may be accompanied by symptoms of general intoxication and fever. The mucous membrane of the oral cavity is covered with groups of small vesicles filled with transparent contents, which quickly open and leave painful erosions.

Erosion in the oral cavity can take up to 2 weeks to heal. The disease can occur in the form of aphthous stomatitis (the formation of aphthous stomatitis occurs - single, slowly healing erosions of the oral mucosa). In this case, general clinical manifestations (intoxication, hyperthermia) are usually absent. Herpetic stomatitis is prone to recurrence.

Herpes of the ARVI type often occurs without characteristic blistering rashes on the mucous membranes and skin, resembling the clinical picture of other respiratory viral diseases. In rare cases, a herpetic vesicular rash forms on the tonsils and back of the throat (herpangina).

Genital herpes usually manifests itself as local rashes (vesicles mainly form on the glans penis and the inner surface of the foreskin in men and on the labia majora and minora in women) and general symptoms (fever, intoxication, regional lymphadenitis). Patients may notice pain in the lower abdomen and lumbar region, and burning and itching in the areas where the rash is localized.

Ophthalmoherpes manifests itself as a rash on the cornea, which subsequently causes the formation of ulcerative defects, a decrease in the sensitivity of the cornea, which contributes to deterioration of vision. Herpes of the posterior parts of the eyeball is rare. Chronic recurrent herpes of the eye can lead to persistent clouding of the cornea and blindness.

Herpetic infection of the nervous system occurs as serous meningitis (expressed in the form of general and meningeal symptoms, proceeds benignly), or encephalitis (severe intoxication, fever reaches extremely high numbers, convulsive symptoms, various paresis, paralysis and disorders of consciousness are noted). Herpetic encephalitis leads to death in 30% of cases; after treatment, it leaves serious consequences in the form of persistent paralysis and paresis, and dementia.

Visceral forms of herpes occur in accordance with the clinical picture of inflammatory diseases of the affected organs. These can be herpetic pneumonia, hepatitis, pancreatitis, nephritis, esophagitis, adrenal herpes. With herpetic lesions of hollow organs accessible to endoscopy, vesicular rashes and erosions may be observed on the mucous membrane.

In newborns and patients with severe immune deficiency, a generalized form of herpetic infection may develop, characterized by a high prevalence of skin manifestations, lesions of the mucous membranes and internal organs against the background of general intoxication and fever. The generalized form in AIDS patients often occurs in the form of Kaposi's eczema herpetiformis.

One form of herpes infection is herpes zoster. The onset of the disease is often preceded by prodromal phenomena - general malaise, headaches, a rise in temperature to subfebrile levels, and dyspeptic symptoms. There may be a burning sensation and itching in the area of ​​projection of the peripheral nerve trunks.

The prodromal period lasts from one day to 3-4 days, and may differ in varying intensity of symptoms depending on the condition of the patient’s body.

In many cases, an acute onset is noted: the temperature rises sharply to febrile levels, general intoxication is noted, and herpetiform rashes appear on the skin along the innervation of the spinal ganglia.

The process can spread within one or more nerve trunks. Most often, the rashes are localized along the projection of the intercostal nerves or branches of the trigeminal nerve on the face; less often, damage to the extremities and genitals is noted.

The rashes are groups of vesicles with serous contents, located in areas of hyperemic, dense skin. In the area of ​​the rash there is a burning sensation and intense pain of a vegetative nature. The pain occurs in attacks, often at night.

Disorders of tactile sensitivity in the area of ​​innervation of the affected nerves, radicular paresis of the facial and oculomotor nerves, bladder sphincter, muscles of the abdominal wall and limbs may be observed.

The abortive form of herpes zoster infection occurs in the form of a short-term papular rash without the formation of vesicles. In the bullous form, herpetic vesicles merge, forming large blisters - bullae.

The bullous form can often progress to the bullous-hemorrhagic form, when the contents of the bullae become hemorrhagic in nature.

In some cases, the bullae merge along the nerve fiber, forming a single extended ribbon-shaped bubble, which leaves a dark necrotic scab after opening.

The severity of shingles depends on the location of the lesion and the state of the body's defenses. Lichen is especially severe in the area of ​​innervation of the nerves of the face and head, and the eyelids and cornea of ​​the eye are often affected.

The duration of the course can range from several days (abortive form) to 2-3 weeks, in some cases dragging on for up to a month or more.

After suffering from herpes zoster, relapses of herpetic infection in this form are quite rare.

Diagnosis of herpetic infection is carried out using virological analysis of the contents of vesicles and scraping of erosions.

Isolation of the herpes simplex virus does not provide sufficient diagnostic data on the activity of the process.

Additional diagnostic methods include RNIF of fingerprint smears (giant multinucleated cells with Cowdry type A inclusions are detected), RSC, RN, ELISA in paired sera.

Study of immunoglobulins: an increase in the titer of immunoglobulin M indicates a primary lesion, and immunoglobulin G indicates a relapse.

Recently, a common method for diagnosing herpes infection is PCR (polymerase chain reaction).

The variety of clinical forms of herpetic infection determines the wide range of specialists who treat it. Treatment of genital herpes is carried out by venereologists, and in women - by gynecologists. Neurologists treat herpetic infections of the nervous system.

Treatment tactics for herpetic infection are selected depending on the clinical form and course of the disease. Etiotropic therapy may include acyclovir and other antiviral drugs. In mild cases, local treatment is used (ointments with acyclovir, Burov's fluid).

Glucocorticosteroid ointments are contraindicated.

General treatment with antiviral drugs is prescribed in courses, for primary herpes - up to 10 days, chronic recurrent herpes is an indication for long-term treatment (up to a year).

For frequently recurrent herpes, immunostimulating therapy is recommended for the period of remission. Immunomodulators, adaptogens, immunoglobulins, vaccination, and intravenous laser blood irradiation (ILBI) are prescribed. Physiotherapy is widely used: ultraviolet irradiation, infrared irradiation, magnetic therapy, EHF, etc.

A herpetic infection with damage to the central nervous system has an unfavorable prognosis (herpetic encephalitis has a high risk of death, it leaves behind severe persistent disorders of the innervation and functioning of the central nervous system), as well as herpes in people suffering from AIDS. Herpes of the cornea of ​​the eye can contribute to the development of blindness, and cervical herpes - cancer. Herpes zoster often leaves behind various sensitivity disorders and neuralgia for some time.

Prevention of herpes type I corresponds to general measures for the prevention of respiratory diseases, herpes type II corresponds to the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Secondary prevention of relapses of herpes consists of immunostimulating therapy and specific vaccination with an inactivated herpes vaccine.

Source: https://www.KrasotaiMedicina.ru/diseases/infectious/herpetic-infection

Herpes on the lips - causes, signs, symptoms, treatment

How does herpes infection occur?

As mentioned above, cold sores are caused by two types of viruses - herpes virus type 1 and herpes virus type 2. Infection with herpes virus type 1 mainly occurs in childhood and adolescence.

The main routes of transmission of infection are contact (for example, through personal objects) and airborne droplets (by inhaling the virus, kissing). However, infection can also occur through oral-genital contact.

Infection with herpes virus type 2 occurs through direct sexual contact and is therefore more common among young people and adults.

Transmission of pathogens of both types 1 and 2 can occur from mother to fetus (transplacentally), and also in isolated cases through infected blood products (parenterally). It is worth noting that the risk of infection increases significantly if an infected person has herpetic rashes on the skin and mucous membranes.

Symptoms of herpetic infection

Colds on the lips are characterized by the appearance of so-called precursors - itching and tingling at the site of the lesion (duration from 2 to 4 days).

Then rashes appear in the form of bubbles filled with clear liquid, around which swelling forms. In this case, there may be malaise, general weakness, and a slight increase in temperature.

As a rule, inflammatory phenomena, if a secondary infection does not occur, disappear by 7–9 days.

Forms of herpetic infection

There are several forms of herpes infection. The bullous form of herpes is characterized by the appearance of blisters that can reach the size of a plum. The abortive form occurs without the formation of a blistering rash, and at the site of the lesion there is swelling and small cone-shaped elevations above the surface of the skin or mucous membranes.

The most severe forms of herpes are ulcerative, ulcerative-necrotic and gangrenous. They are characterized by the appearance of vesicles with hemorrhagic contents, the appearance of long-term non-healing deep ulcers that leave scars.

The development of the gangrenous form occurs in people weakened by any diseases, as well as in elderly patients with gastric ulcers, diabetes mellitus and other concomitant pathologies.

Provocateurs of herpes infection

Colds on the lips rarely have an acute form; a chronic course of the disease is much more common. According to WHO, approximately 70% of people around the world are infected with the herpes simplex virus and about 10-20% of patients experience various symptoms of herpes infection.

Exacerbations of chronic herpes occur for a number of reasons.

The main factors that lead to relapse are emotional and physical stress, hypothermia, sexual intercourse, menstruation in women, concomitant diseases (ARVI, including influenza), ultraviolet radiation and others.

Why is the herpes virus dangerous?

Treatment of herpes

The herpes virus enters the body through the mucous membranes and settles in the nerve ganglia for life. Therefore, it is impossible to completely get rid of the pathogen.

However, with proper therapy, it is possible to reduce the intensity of the rash, significantly reduce the duration of the prodromal period and reduce the frequency of exacerbations. Treatment of herpes includes antiviral therapy using antiherpetic drugs.

But since colds on the lips are accompanied by immunodeficiency, the treatment regimen also includes immunomodulatory agents, for example, interferon preparations or its inducers. In the combined treatment of herpes, the drug Viferon can be used, which resists viruses and corrects protective functions.

Source: https://healthage.ru/poleznye-sovety/lechenie-boleznej/gerpes-na-gubax-prichiny-priznaki-simptomy-lechenie/