How to cure advanced herpes. How to cure herpes forever and is it possible to get rid of a herpes infection. The main features and symptoms are described below

Attention! Self-medication can be hazardous to your health.

An external symptom of infection is a blistering rash on various parts of the body. In the people, it is called a fever or a cold. Occurs most often in conditions of weakened immunity. If bubbles form on the genitals of a person, they speak of a sexual infection.

The way to implement it is as follows:

The virus is attached to the epithelium of the cell with the help of "spines".
Sometimes there is detachment of herpes. In this case, infection does not occur. This phenomenon is called reversible adhesion.
If detachment does not take place, the shells of the cell membrane and the virus merge.
Herpes penetrates the cell nucleus, introducing its own DNA into it.
A day later, the affected cell itself begins to serve as a source of infection. Viruses enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body of a living being.
The affected cell dies.
From the blood, herpes enters the plexus of nerve fibers, where it is inaccessible to interferons and antibodies, that is, the action of immunity. Here he exists all his life. Therefore, when infected, a person forever remains a carrier.

Being in a latent state, the virus can be activated from time to time. This is facilitated by a decrease in protective forces, for example, with colds, infectious diseases, the appearance of inflammation, smoking, and the use of drugs.

You can become infected with herpesvirus by contact with a rash or secretions of a patient, for example, by contact with household items. Another way of infection is kissing and sexual intercourse. This is how genital herpes, which is one of the sexually transmitted diseases, is transmitted. The infection can also be transmitted from mother to child during labor. Approximately half of the carriers of the virus have relapses of the disease.

Symptoms and development

Herpes simplex is manifested by the formation of crowded vesicles. They are filled with transparent contents and have an inflamed base. Before their occurrence, a person feels a burning sensation and itching of the skin, in some cases, general malaise and chills are possible.

With herpes zoster, pain first appears along the nerve and headaches. A few days later, rashes form on the skin in the region of the nerve. They look like clustered bubbles. Initially, the bubbles are filled with transparent contents. Then it becomes bloody, purulent.

At the same time, the patient has the following symptoms:

increase in body temperature;
swollen lymph nodes;
general deterioration of well-being;
the appearance of neuralgic pains, which can persist for several months.

Herpes simplex goes through 4 stages of development:

pinching. Itching occurs in the corners of the mouth, on the tongue, on the lips, or in other parts of the face before the “fever” appears on the skin. In the area where the recurrence of the infection will subsequently appear, precursors appear: tingling and tingling, pain. The skin in this place turns red.
Inflammation. First, a small painful bubble forms. Over time, it gets bigger. Inside it is filled with a clear liquid. She gradually fades.
ulceration. The bubble bursts. A fluid containing billions of viral particles flows out. In place of the bubble, an ulcer appears. It is during this period that a person is a dangerous source of infection, since many viral particles are released into the environment.
eschar formation. The ulcer is covered with a crust. If it is damaged, bleeding and pain appear.

If the "fever" on the skin does not go away in 10 days, you should consult a doctor. This condition may indicate the presence of other serious diseases. In people with weak immunity, necrotic forms can be observed, scars appear on the skin.

The development of genital herpes and its symptoms are somewhat different. With primary genital herpes (for the first time in a person's life), its course is asymptomatic. This leads to a virus carrier or recurrent form.

Doctors consider the asymptomatic course the most dangerous. Without knowing about the infection, a person continues to have sex and serves as a source of infection for partners. Moreover, it is during the primary development of herpes that is especially contagious.

The incubation period for primary genital herpes is 1-10 days. Rashes can occur both on the outside of the genital organs, and inside the vagina or urethra, on the legs, thighs, in women - on the buttocks. Sometimes groups of vesicles form in or within the rectum.

Types of herpes

In the family of herpetic infections, there are about a hundred varieties. Of these, only 8 are dangerous to humans.

Virus type	Causing disease	Peculiarities
Herpes simplex virus type 1	Herpes skin	Affects the skin and mucous ENT organs. The area of the nasolabial triangle, the wings of the nose, lips. Small groups of small bubbles appear. With eye damage, ophthalmic herpes develops. The cornea and conjunctiva suffer.
Herpes simplex virus type 2	Herpes genital	It is localized on the skin and mucous membranes of the genital organs, in the perineum, on the inner surface of the thighs, buttocks. There are typical rashes with transparent contents, severe itching.
Type 3 Varicella-Zoster	Herpes zoster, chicken pox	With primary infection, chickenpox develops. The disease begins with an acute increase in body temperature. After a few hours, bubbles filled with a watery substance form. First they appear on the head and neck, then on the trunk and extremities, they itch a lot. When the infection is reactivated, shingles is diagnosed. A rash, identical to chickenpox, appears along the nerve fibers. The course of the disease is longer, with severe pain syndrome.
type 4 Epstein-Barr virus	Mononucleosis	Infection leads to the development of infectious mononucleosis. It affects the lymphoid tissue. Typical and atypical forms of various degrees of severity are observed.
type 5 cytomegalovirus	Cytomegaly	Causes cytomegalovirus infection. Often occurs without symptoms, sometimes as an acute respiratory disease. Accompanied by an increase in lymph nodes, inflammation of the pharynx. Pneumonia may occur. Cytomegalovirus poses the greatest danger to pregnant women and the fetus, as it leads to malformations.
6 type	Chronic fatigue syndrome, in childhood - exanthema	This type is one of the prerequisites for the development of encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, cervical carcinoma, and the formation of AIDS. Acute infection causes chronic fatigue syndrome and, in infants, exanthema.
7 type	chronic fatigue syndrome	The method of transmission has not been established, presumably - airborne droplets. Type 7 virus infection causes chronic fatigue syndrome. Such conditions are characterized by: subfebrile body temperature, aches and poor sleep, swollen lymph nodes, decreased intellectual abilities.
8 type	Kaposi's sarcoma	About a quarter of the population is infected with herpesvirus type 8. It is he who is considered the cause of the development of Kaposi's sarcoma. Manifestations of the disease are blue-purple vascular nodules on the skin and mucous membranes.

All types of herpes are very common. Mostly they are in a latent state and reveal themselves when the body is under stressful conditions.

Causes of the disease and ways of infection

The cause of the herpes virus is infection from a patient with a virus on the epithelium.

There are many ways of transmission:

airborne method;
direct contact;
sexual contact;
infection through hygiene items, personal items;
penetration through the cervical canal into the uterine cavity;
transplacental method;
tribal activity.

There are a number of factors that increase the risk of infection and provoke relapses.:

local damage in the area of the nasolabial triangle or eyes;
acute respiratory diseases, influenza and other diseases that are accompanied by a rise in body temperature;
exposure to ultraviolet radiation;
hypothermia or overheating;
strong cold wind;
state of immunodeficiency;
changes in immune protection in women depending on the period of the menstrual cycle;
work with various chemical compounds;
living near hazardous industries or working on them;
bad ecology;
chronic overwork and stress;
deficiency of trace elements and vitamins in the body.

The patient becomes most dangerous for other people during the formation of blisters. When they dry out, the chance of spreading infection decreases. However, the risk of infection exists even if a person does not have any symptoms of a herpes infection. He can transmit the virus along with saliva.

At risk of developing herpes are women whose age is from 20 to 40 years. According to statistics, 135 of them out of 100 thousand people are diagnosed with a simple herpes virus of the second type, a genital infection. It is estimated that in Europe it holds the second place among sexually transmitted diseases, after trichomoniasis.

Treatment of herpes, especially its chronic form, is a complex process. You don't have to take steps on your own. It is important to consult with your doctor.

Medical preparations

Clinical studies show that in the treatment of chronic and acute forms of the disease caused by the herpes simplex virus of the first or second type, it is most appropriate to use acyclovir, famciclovir and valaciclovir.

In case of primary disease or recurrence of genital herpes, the prescribed dose is 200 mg 5 times a day. The duration of treatment varies from 5 to 10 days.

People with herpes simplex type 1, which is manifested by skin rashes, are advised to use acyclovir 5% cream at an early stage. The agent is used up to 5 times a day for 5 to 7 days.

In case of infection with genital herpes, valaciclovir is prescribed. The dosage of the drug is 0.5 g twice a day. The duration of treatment with the drug is from 5 to 10 days.

During pregnancy, treatment is indicated for the so-called disseminated forms of herpesvirus (hepatitis, encephalitis). Acyclovir is used. If during the month before the date of birth, the mother has herpetic eruptions on the genitals, the primary genital form of infection, then a caesarean section is recommended. This helps to avoid infection of the child.

Folk remedies

Together with medications, you can use folk recipes:

Tincture on birch buds. 25 g of dry raw materials, which can be bought at a pharmacy, are poured with alcohol. Insist 14 days, filter. During relapses, the affected areas of the skin are wiped with tincture.
Decoction of chamomile flowers. Used to treat wounds. It is prepared in the following way: take 30 g of dried flowers, pour hot water and boil for 10 minutes. They insist for about an hour.
Compress with celandine juice. Freshly squeezed juice is used for herpes zoster. To do this, the plant is rubbed, the liquid is filtered. A cotton swab or gauze is moistened in it, applied to the affected area, covered with cellophane and left overnight.
Baking soda. The contents of a tablespoon are added to a glass of water, heated. Moisten a cotton swab, apply to the rash several times, until the water cools.
Essential oils. Effective in the treatment of genital herpes, as they have antiviral properties. Take 2 drops of tea tree oil, add 4 drops of bergamot oil and a teaspoon of vodka or alcohol. The solution is wiped with herpes vesicles several times a day.
Aloe leaves. They act as natural antibiotics, as they have an antibacterial effect. A cross section is made on the leaf of the plant and pressed against the affected area. The procedure is repeated 2-3 times a day.
Garlic. 3 cloves are crushed, a spoonful of honey and a spoonful of crushed activated carbon are added. Everything is mixed. The rashes are smeared with gruel.
Tea. To prepare a compress from black tea, the drink is brewed, filtered. The tea leaves are applied to the affected area, gauze is placed on top and left for half an hour.

The occurrence of a relapse

Herpes recurrences are provoked by the following factors:

the ability of the virus to stay inside the cells of the body in a “sleeping” state for a long time;
low viability of herpesvirus in the environment;
a high degree of variability, due to which immunity to it is short-term.

The frequency of relapses is individual. For some, they occur once every few years, for others - monthly.

With re-infection, the clinical picture is less pronounced in comparison with cases of primary infection. This is due to the effect of acquired immunity. Symptoms of the disease are observed for 10 days and disappear faster.

After the infection goes into remission, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system:

adhere to proper nutrition;
take vitamin complexes;
often be in the fresh air;
observe the regime of work and rest;
get moderate physical activity;
avoid hypothermia.

Preventive methods

For carriers of herpesvirus, vaccination is used as a preventive measure in some countries. There are antiherpetic vaccinations, including domestic development. Polyvaccine is administered in cycles of 5 injections 1-2 times a year. The drug is administered subcutaneously at intervals of 5 to 10 days. You can only get vaccinated during remission. After the last rash has disappeared, at least 14 days should pass.

Another important preventive measure is antiviral drugs. To prevent rashes, you can use Acyclovir, Famciclovir or Penciclovir.

if one of the family members falls ill, minimize contact with him for a while while a rash is present on his body;
when visiting the toilet room, use disposable toilet tissues or disinfectants;
do not have casual sex, especially without condoms;
avoid overheating, hypothermia, stress;
do not use other people's hygiene products or cosmetics.

In order to prevent the “awakening” of the virus in the body, it is necessary to adhere to a healthy lifestyle, avoid hypothermia, and monitor immunity. For prevention and during exacerbations, consult a doctor, treat yourself with antiviral drugs in time and help yourself with folk remedies.

Causes of the herpes virus

Of almost a hundred types of pathogenic microorganisms, eight affect the human body. Herpes, the causes of which are little known, affects about 90 percent of the world's population, and the annual increase in infectious patients even outstrips the birth rate. Once in the body, the virus settles in it forever, and periodically causes relapses of diseases. They can occur without any symptoms or in an acute form with severe consequences, even death.

Herpes viruses have a spherical shape, in the center of which is DNA, surrounded by a shell of protein molecules. They have geometrically correct, exactly the same structures, perfectly fitted to each other to form an icosahedron. The virus is very easy to catch because it is highly contagious. A person can even be a carrier of several types of herpes at once.

Herpes causes: when it enters the human or animal body, the virus enters the cell nucleus and begins to multiply. It is carried with the flow of blood and lymph to various organs, settling mainly in the nerve endings. With hypothermia, stress or nervous overload, the virus appears in the form of bubbles filled with liquid. They are accompanied by a general deterioration in the condition, an increase in temperature. The place of localization of the rashes are the skin and mucous membranes.

The virus got its name "herpes" - "herpein" from Herodotus, translated from ancient Greek - to crawl or sneak. The virus moves freely and imperceptibly in the body and attacks.

Herpes lives in nerve cells, genetically invading the cells of the body. Penetrating into the nerve fibers, it can be passive for a long time. “Cold on the lips” is just an exacerbation of a viral disease. What are the causes of herpes?

Symptoms appear as a result of a weakened immune system or due to some other disease or stress. Therefore, the appearance of itchy blisters on the lips is associated with a cold. Various areas of the skin on the face or body are attacked, but most often these are the mucous membranes, eyes, internal organs, the central nervous system and the brain. Repeated cases of herpes are relapses of a "sleeping" virus.

A person becomes infected with this infectious disease by contacting a patient who has exposed areas of the skin damaged by the virus. The infection, having settled in the skin cell, tends to multiply rapidly. If a person with a weakened immune system, then the disease worsens. The following factors also contribute to this:

stressful situations;
supercooled state of the body;
the presence of acute respiratory diseases;
having any of the infectious diseases that suppress the immune system;
frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages;
poisoning of the body of any nature.

The course of the disease depending on its varieties and causes

Depending on the manifestations, herpes is divided into eight types:

The first type, HPI, often causes blisters on the lips.
The second type - HSVII - manifests itself on the genitals.
The third type is the symptoms of chickenpox, also known as shingles.
The fourth type is infectious mononucleosis.
The fifth type is called Cytomegalovirus.
Herpes of the sixth, seventh and eighth types, presumably from chronic fatigue, the appearance of various rashes.

Scientists investigated the causes of herpes, revealing that the virus can be a stimulant for the onset of Alzheimer's disease: the DNA of the herpes simplex virus was found in the brain in about 70% of patients!

The most severe infection is shingles, in which the rash passes along the nerve trunk, although sometimes the disease can be asymptomatic. Severe pain and fever can be triggered by other diseases. If the diagnosis is incorrect, then the destruction of the nerve sheath and the development of chronic neuralgia are possible. It is characterized by intense pain, which is difficult to remove with the help of drugs.

Herpes simplex viruses can cause inflammatory processes in the oral mucosa or upper respiratory tract, manifested in the form of sores. Herpetic eye damage is fraught with clouding of the lens or even blindness.

The disease caused by herpetic lesions of the meninges of the brain is especially severe. It is accompanied by severe pain in the muscles and joints and photophobia. Without treatment, a third of patients die.

It is dangerous to become infected with ordinary chickenpox during pregnancy if the expectant mother did not have chickenpox in childhood. After it, a strong immunity is formed for life. Otherwise, vaccination is necessary five to six months before the conception of a child, otherwise he may be born with severe defects.

By external rashes, you can understand without diagnostics that it is herpes. Before the appearance of blisters, these places tingle, they itch, redden, fever, fever and various pains are possible, as with a general malaise. However, if everything is not so clear, you need to apply a laboratory test for the presence of a virus in the liquid from the blisters on the affected areas of the body. In the absence of lesions on the skin or genitals, do a blood test for the presence of antibodies. Atypical form of herpes - pain in the lower abdomen may appear.

Herpes treatment

The method of treatment depends on the causes and localization of the herpetic infection. It is better to start at the first signs - the characteristic sensations of itching before the rash. If this time is not missed, local therapy is used - ointments with acyclovir. No cauterization with alcohol or brilliant green has no effect on herpes viruses.

Acyclovir (zovirax) is a special antiviral drug, not the only one, but the most suitable for the role of "ambulance" in the treatment. A similar drug is Valaciclovir (Valtrex). For the treatment of various types of herpes, Famciclovir (Famvir), Panavir, Docosanol (Erazaban) are also used, and for herpes simplex - Proteflazid, Flavozid.

Mild forms of herpes infection are treated on an outpatient basis. In more complex cases, drug therapy is prescribed - antiviral and anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as physiotherapy. During this period, vitamins are especially important, and drinking plenty of water will help to quickly remove the waste products of viruses from the body - toxic substances. If sores appear in the oral cavity, then it is difficult for the patient to swallow, so you need to cook food in a frayed form and according to the doctor's dietary recommendations. With complicated forms of infection, the patient must be treated in a hospital.

It is impossible to completely cure herpes, but it is possible to reduce the stage of exacerbation, “calm down” faster and bring it to a dormant state, the virus can.

Whatever the causes of the disease, it is better not to self-medicate, it is impossible to take potent drugs orally, this can contribute to the formation of more resistant types of infection, and immunity can also be suppressed.

If the herpes virus is a frequent visitor to your body, you should consult a doctor. He will individually prescribe the optimal treatment regimen for a particular case, taking into account the causes of the disease. Particular importance should be given to complex immunotherapy. If the situation is severe, vaccination may be necessary.

What is the herpes virus?

The herpes virus or herpesvirus is a large family of viruses that infect both humans and animals. The mechanism of action of this group of viruses is to damage the cells of the body, because of which, once it gets into it, the virus remains there forever.

Often a person lives with the herpes virus all his life, which does not manifest itself in any way. This fact is a hallmark of the entire herpesvirus family.

Types of herpes virus

In total, 86 types of herpesviruses have been studied and described. Eight of them occur in humans. A characteristic feature of each of them are the diseases they cause. The typification of human herpesviruses is based on the ascending complexity of diseases. Here is the classification in the table:

type of herpes virus	Name of the virus	Diseases caused by a virus
Type 1	HSV-1 (herpes simplex virus type 1)	Oral herpes, less commonly genital herpes
Type 2	HSV-2 (herpes simplex virus type 2)	Genital herpes, vaginal herpes, rarely oral herpes
Type 3	Varicella zoster virus	Chicken pox, shingles
Type 4	EBV (Epstein-Barr virus)	Infectious mononucleosis, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, CNS lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma
Type 5	CMV (cytomegalovirus)	infectious mononucleosis, hepatitis, retinitis
Type 6	HHV-6A, HHV-6B (roseoloviruses)	Baby roseola, exanthema
Type 7	HHV-7 (roseolovirus)	chronic fatigue syndrome
Type 8	KSHV (Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus)	Kaposi's sarcoma

The first five types of human herpesvirus have been studied and described. The sixth, seventh and eighth types have been studied superficially. The relationship between them and diseases is not exactly established.

Herpesvirus is transmitted by skin contact with its carrier. It is not necessary for the carrier of the virus to turn into a disease. The contagiousness of the virus is high. Especially in the active form of the disease.

Speaking of herpes viruses, they often mean the first two types of viruses - herpes simplex viruses. They cause the disease of the same name, about which we will continue the conversation.
The varicella zoster virus or the third type of herpesvirus is also widespread and well studied. It causes the common chickenpox and shingles. These two diseases are the same varieties of herpes. Shingles is also called herpes zoster.

What kind of disease is herpes?

Herpes is a viral disease that is caused by herpesviruses of the first or second type. Its main symptom is a rash of vesicles on the skin or mucous membrane, grouped in small areas.

Herpes manifests itself on the lips and the skin around them, or on the external genitalia. According to the place of distribution, the disease is called oral or genital.
Oral herpes is also called "cold on the lips." This is due to the fact that the disease often manifests itself against the background of seasonal colds and seems to be their manifestation.
This is not true. Herpes is an independent disease, and colds are the cause of its development.

Causes of herpes

It was already mentioned above that the herpes virus can stay in the body for a long time without external manifestations. The development of the disease can begin due to several reasons:

hypothermia,
colds,
emotional exhaustion,
injury,
defective food, often with diets,
menstruation,
side diseases.

These causes have a common feature: they lead to exhaustion. The virus manifests itself as a disease when the body's resistance decreases.

Herpes symptoms

The classic symptom of herpes is one: a rash of vesicles on the skin and mucous membranes. Bubbles appear in small concentrated groups.
The disease also has warning signs: itching, burning sensation, light tingling around the mouth or genitals. But almost no one pays attention to them, although at this stage the treatment can give the maximum effect.
The classic picture of the manifestation of herpes simplex looks like this:

1. In the oral or genital areas (depending on which type of herpes begins), itching and discomfort appear.
2. The disease begins to manifest itself by the development of the inflammatory process. A small swelling appears, which grows quite rapidly.
3. The swelling turns into blisters with clear liquid contents. They burst and liquid, in which millions of viral particles, flows out. Ulcers form at the site of the blisters.
4. Ulcers dry up and turn into scabs that can bleed and hurt a lot.

There are also atypical manifestations of herpes, when the disease goes away without a classic rash. Such cases are rare. Atypical herpes occurs with symptoms-harbingers: itching, burning, swelling and redness of the mucous membranes, rarely with pulling pain in the lower abdomen.
Such symptoms indicate herpes, but require confirmation in the form of an analysis for the herpes virus.

The establishment of the same type of herpes occurs on the basis of the place of manifestation of the rash. Here there can be no confusion as to whether the patient has a genital or oral type.

Herpes virus: treatment in adults

Regardless of whether oral or genital herpes is diagnosed in a patient, treatment is carried out according to the same tactics. But before proceeding to its description, it is necessary to recall an important nuance:
It is impossible to completely cure or get rid of the herpes virus. But correctly chosen drug therapy and a corrected lifestyle give a result in which the patient will not be disturbed by the manifestations of the disease.

Treatment of herpes, regardless of where it manifests itself, is carried out in two parallel directions:

suppression of virus activity,
strengthening immunity.

They are equally important, but the last point given must come first. Herpes practically does not appear in those who do not have general health problems. Who does not have bad habits, who eats right and leads a healthy lifestyle.

And the main thesis in the treatment and prevention of herpes: a healthy body itself copes with the herpes virus.

Suppression of the activity of the herpes virus

To reduce the frequency and severity of herpes symptoms, antiviral drugs are used during periods of exacerbation of the disease. Their effectiveness remains a rather controversial point, but with herpes they show good results. In the treatment of the disease, drugs are used that contain acyclovir, an antiviral substance, a synthetic analogue of the thymidine nucleoside. The latter is a natural component of human DNA. Acyclovir is found in pharmacies under various commercial names. Here are a few of them:

A drug	Price	Description
Zovirax	from 193 rub.	Antiviral drug based on acyclovir. Available in the form of a cream. In the standard course of the disease, it is applied to the areas of the skin affected by the rash and the areas adjacent to them five times a day. The course of treatment is four to ten days.
Panavir	from 137 rub.	Complex antiviral and immunomodulatory drug. For herpes, it is prescribed as a solution for intravenous injection. According to the instructions, in case of herpesvirus infection, the contents of the vial are injected in a jet twice with an interval of a day.
Vivorax	from 101 rub.	Cream with the active ingredient acyclovir. Effective in oral and genital herpes. It is applied to the affected and adjacent areas of the skin 5-6 times a day for five to ten days. The exact period of use is determined by the doctor according to the demonstrated effect.
from 50 rub.	Antiherpetic preparation of local action. The areas of the skin affected by the rash are treated with ointment five times a day, no more than ten days.

Antiviral drugs for herpes are creams and ointments for topical use. They act on the virus at the site of manifestation of the disease, which is enough for the standard course of the disease.

When herpes occurs with complications, antiviral drugs are prescribed by injection. This is a more efficient way, but due to the principle of sufficiency, it is rarely used.

It must be remembered that antiviral drugs for herpes do not cure the disease. They only effectively eliminate the symptoms of the disease and reduce the frequency of its manifestation and the severity of the course. Any antiviral agent is prescribed only on the recommendation of a doctor.

Strengthening immunity

The issue of strengthening immunity in herpes goes much further than a simple recommendation to lead a healthy lifestyle. The manifestation of the disease indicates that a serious failure has occurred in the work of the immune system, which must be solved by therapeutic methods.

It is believed that immunomodulators (drugs for regulating the functioning of the immune system) are necessary for herpes when the disease manifests itself more than four to five times a year. In such cases, we can say that the immune system does not cope with the protective function and needs external support.

You can meet the opinion that immunomodulators are a marketing product without proven effectiveness. But to achieve the goal, all means are good, and with herpes this statement is correct.

There are dozens of immunomodulators on the shelves of pharmacies. The choice of a specific one is the task of the doctor who has used them and knows exactly the features of each case history.
Here are the names and descriptions of popular immunomodulators:

A drug	Group of immunomodulators	Price	Description
Ridostin	Interferon inducer	from 137 rub.	Immunostimulating and antiviral drug, the effectiveness of which is achieved by increasing the production of interferon.
Amiksin	Interferon inducer	from 598 rub.	A preparation based on tilorone with an antiviral and immunostimulating effect. It is a low molecular weight synthetic interferon inducer.
Neovir	Interferon inducer	from 574 rubles	Immunostimulator with antiviral activity against DNA and RNA genomic viruses. Promotes an increase in the production of interferon alpha.
Tamerite	Immunomodulator	from 492 rub.	Immunostimulating drug with anti-inflammatory effect. Efficiency is based on an increase in the antibacterial activity of granulocytes and non-specific defense of the body.
Galavit	Immunomodulator	from 329 rub.	Immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory agent. The mechanism of action is based on the effect of Galavit on the activity of phagocytic cells and the normalization of antibody production.
Viferon	Interferon inducer	from 186 rub.	A drug with antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. Efficiency is provided by increased activity of natural killers and increased phagocytic activity.

Whatever drug is used, it must be remembered that immunomodulators are not a panacea. They are helpers. The protective functions of the body need to be strengthened not only with medicines.

Traditional medicine recipes for herpes

With regard to herpes in traditional medicine, there are only three proven recipes. This is due to the fact that the effectiveness of drugs in this disease is either there or it is not. Folk recipes are extremely simple.

At the first manifestation of a “cold on the lips”, even before going to the pharmacy for an anti-herpes cream, it is useful to rub the rash with a cut of a clove of garlic. It is best to do this at night so that the juice remains at the site of the lesion longer.

The antiviral effect of garlic is widely known. It well suppresses activity and herpesvirus.

The symptoms of herpes are relieved by ordinary ice. By applying a piece of ice to the place of the rash, itching, pain and burning will go away quickly, but not for long. The procedure can be repeated several times until traditional medicines give the result.

With the symptoms of herpes, brewing tea helps to fight. The brewed tea bag is applied to the site of the herpes lesion and left for 15-20 minutes. Tannins, which are contained in tea leaves, have an anesthetic effect and effectively relieve pain and discomfort.

Complications after herpes

Herpes is a very dangerous disease in terms of possible complications. Their development is facilitated by:

weakened immunity and lack of immunostimulating therapy;
lack of treatment and prolonged manifestations of the disease with frequent relapses.

Complications can spread to almost all systems of human life and cause many diseases. Here are some of them:

Diseases - complications of herpes - Esophagitis, pharyngitis, herpetic proctitis, viral stomatitis. Keratitis, iridocyclitis, corneal clouding. Herpetic encephalitis, meningitis, peripheral neuritis. Herpetic urethritis, herpetic cervicitis, erosion of the anterior urethra. Herpetic pneumonia, herpetic hepatitis.

It can be seen that many diseases that can manifest as complications of herpes, even in the name have the designation of herpes etiology. This once again confirms the versatility and danger of herpesvirus.

The danger lies in the mechanism of action of the disease. The virus is integrated into the genome of nerve cells and can appear anywhere where they are. And they are all over the body.
Therefore, it is necessary to treat herpes urgently in order to prevent the development of complications.

Herpes during pregnancy

Infection of a woman with herpesvirus during pregnancy needs a separate explanation.

When the virus enters the human body, it is kept in a latent state by the immune system, which produces the necessary antibodies. During pregnancy, a woman's immunity is weakened and during the primary infection with herpesvirus there is a risk of its dangerous effect on the body of the expectant mother and fetus.

The absence of anti-herpes antibodies allows the virus to freely penetrate to the fetus, which provokes the development of defects and even miscarriages.

Herpes is easier in pregnant women with repeated manifestations. The defense system is already familiar with the virus and is ready to resist it. The infection does not get to the fetus and infection of the child is possible only at the time of childbirth. Statistics show that with genital herpes in the mother, the chance of infection of the child at the time of birth is more than forty percent. Every fifth child will get herpes.

Therefore, herpes in pregnant women is a dangerous disease that requires prompt therapeutic response. It is difficult for the body of the expectant mother to resist the virus and one cannot do without a full-fledged medical treatment.

Prevention of herpes

The prevention of the manifestation of herpes is an interesting undertaking, given that most people on the planet are carriers of the herpes virus. The main task of disease prevention is not to prevent infection, but to prevent the development of diseases that it provokes. Particularly herpes.

A strong immune system copes with this task. To keep it in this state, you need to follow a few simple rules:

to refuse from bad habits,
eat well,
alternate load and rest in reasonable proportions,
avoid stress,
avoid overheating and hypothermia.

Prevention of infection with herpesvirus, according to many experts, is a hopeless task. This is not to say that certain actions will avoid infection. But even with this opinion, the basic rules of hygiene cannot be neglected:

hand hygiene after each visit to public places;
use only personal hygiene products;
use of contraceptives during casual sexual intercourse.

Vaccination against herpesvirus

At the moment, there is no preventive vaccine against herpes viruses. There is a therapeutic vaccine that prevents the recurrence of herpes. It was created by Soviet scientists in the last century. But it did not become mass due to the fact that it can be used only under strict indications.

Now work on the creation of a preventive vaccine against herpesvirus is being carried out in many countries. From time to time there is information about success in this work, but no one has yet been able to achieve the final result.

Scientists predict that a preventive vaccine can be created in the next decade, and then the fight against herpes will become effective both in terms of stopping the disease and preventing infection.

This is an intracellular parasite that is built into the genetic apparatus of cells for its own reproduction. This is the main feature of any viruses - they cannot reproduce without the cells of the "host" organism.

Externally, the human herpes virus manifests itself in the form of a blistering rash. Its other names - cold, fever - characterize the time of manifestation of the virus. It is activated when the body's defenses are weakened. If pimples-vesicles appear on the genitals, then such a manifestation of the virus is called a sexual infection. It is transmitted sexually.

Note: in addition, another type of herpes is known - chickenpox. It also has the appearance of a blistering rash and is transmitted by airborne droplets over a long distance.

First, the virus is attached to the cell epithelium by the so-called "spikes". In this case, the detachment of the virus from a healthy cell and its non-infection is possible, doctors call this process “reversible adhesion”. If detachment does not occur, the virus envelope fuses with the human cell membrane. The virus then enters the nucleus and injects its DNA into it. After 24 hours, the infected cell becomes a source of new viruses. They are released into the blood and carried throughout the body. The human cell itself dies.

Carriers of the herpes virus - 95% of the world's population

The virus in the blood of an infected person is not the only problem of a herpes infection. Worse another. From the blood, herpes penetrates into the nerve fibers and their plexuses - the ganglia. Here it is protected from any effects of immunity (antibodies and interferons). In addition, herpes (unlike other viruses) inhibits phagocytosis (the production of the body's natural defenses - its own interferon). Here, in the ganglia of the spinal cord, herpes remains for life, even after blocking its reproduction and suppression of the acute stage of the disease. This explains the fact that once infected, a person becomes a carrier and source of herpes for life.

The virus in the body is stored in the ganglia of the spinal cord. Where is he in sleep (medical terminology - latent) state. And it is activated when immunity decreases (colds, infection with another virus, inflammation, allergies or alcohol, cigarettes, drugs.

Having become infected with herpes in early childhood or preschool age, a person becomes a virus carrier. Some carriers often show up(rashes with colds and inflammations), in others - rarely or not at all. However, statistics confirm the fact that the world's population is infected with the herpes virus by 98%.

Herpes virus: varieties

Infection or transmission of the virus occurs from a sick person to a healthy person. At the same time, the susceptibility of the body of an infected person, the level of his immunity is important. As mentioned earlier, the virus can attach to the shell of a healthy cell and then fall off (“reversible adhesion”) without the formation of infection and carriage.

When infected, the virus seeks to enter the human blood. Together with the blood flow, it gets the opportunity to reach any organs, tissues and cells. To penetrate into the bloodstream, herpes uses any means available to it: airborne, contact and sexual infection. He does not disdain any opportunity to get a new space for life and multiply as much as possible in human cells.

According to the characteristics of infection and external manifestations, eight types of herpes are distinguished. that can destroy human cells. All other types (their modern science has counted about 80) are not terrible for a person, since they do not multiply in human cells. The most common is the herpes simplex virus.

What is Herpes Simplex Virus: Oral and Genital Infection

Herpes virus types 1 and 2 are called simple(in Latin designation - simplex or simplex). Herpes virus type 1 (or HSV-1, or nerpes simplex virus HSV-1) is called oral, oral, labial, labial. He prefers the skin on the lips (along their edge) and the nasolabial triangle. But it can also appear on the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, genitals (especially after oral sex), on the skin of the hands and fingers. The herpes simplex virus in children often manifests itself along with seasonal colds and influenza epidemics.

Note: Herpes simplex virus is transmitted mainly by contact (kissing, touching). Often, infection occurs asymptomatically in the first year of life from the next of kin (during care, bathing, swaddling).

The herpes virus type 2 or HSV-2 is located on the genitals, and therefore received the name genital. The herpes virus of the second type is classified as a sexually transmitted infection. The genital herpes virus in men is less likely to form than in women.

When diagnosed " herpes simplex virus type 2» treatment is based on the stimulation of immunity and the use of a specific antiviral drug (which acts specifically against herpes).

The third virus is the causative agent of chickenpox

In addition, widespread herpes virus type 3 - Zoster(in Western terminology varicella zoster). In the body of children, it manifests itself as the ubiquitous chickenpox. In adults, the carriage of the virus can be expressed as shingles (it has nothing to do with ringworm from stray animals). Zoster is a virus of herpes zoster and chickenpox, called volatile. It is transmitted by airborne droplets, capable of infecting a new organism at a distance of 50 m.

Other types of herpes

All other types of human herpes are not as well understood as the previous oral, genital and varicella.

Herpes virus type 4 - called the Epstein-Barr virus(abbreviated as VEB). It causes a disease that doctors call infectious mononucleosis, with damage to the human lymphatic system.
Herpes virus type 5 - called cytomegalovirus (CMV). In case of illness, cytomegaloviruses penetrate through the saliva (kiss) and salivary glands of a person, here they are stored in a dormant form. However, they can also penetrate into other organs, be stored there (for example, in women - on the mucous membrane of the cervix). The cytomegalovirus virus in children often manifests itself as a sluggish long flu.

Note: with the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus virus, the treatment consists in taking or injecting antiviral drugs (acyclovir is the most tested drug that has been tested and is recommended even for pregnant women).

Herpes simplex virus type 6 or HHV-6- is the causative agent of exanthema (other names for the disease are baby roseola and pseudorubella). This disease is expressed in fever and rash. Type 6 virus is transmitted more often by airborne droplets and manifests itself in children under the age of 2 years. The herpes virus type 6 has two subspecies - virus A and B, which are stored mainly in the salivary glands and on the nasopharyngeal mucosa. The herpes virus type 6 in a child often manifests itself against the background of other diseases (ARVI, inflammation, dysbacteriosis or intestinal infection). It significantly aggravates any inflammatory processes, catarrhal infections.

Tip: with the diagnosis of "herpes virus type 6", the treatment in the child will be aimed at combating the virus and counteracting the symptoms of the disease (rash and fever). Panciclovir, foscarnet are used against the virus, treatment with an antiseptic (miramistin) against the rash, means to reduce it against the temperature.

Herpes virus type 7 (HHV-6, HHV-6)- a factor that is poorly studied by the theory of modern medicine. It is only known that it settles on human lymphocytes and contributes to the appearance of immunodeficiency, chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as enlarged lymph nodes. Also causes pseudorubella in older children.
Herpes virus type 8- also a little-studied type of virus, doctors suggest that it is one of the consequences formed AIDS or cancerous tumors.

Coxsackievirus is not a herpes infection

Besides, is not herpes, but has similar manifestations of the Coxsackie virus rash. His eruptions look like red spots and sores on the palms, feet and around the mouth. According to the localization of the rash, the virus received the second name " hand-foot-mouth". His first manifestations of the virus are often confused with chickenpox rashes.

If you have been diagnosed with Coxsackievirus, in adults, treatment will use general antiseptics and antipyretics. In children, additional antihistamines are prescribed (to reduce itching). There is no specific treatment for the Coxsackie virus.

The DNA of different herpes viruses is different. So the DNA of the herpes virus type 7 differs from HSV, EBV, Zoster, cytomegalovirus by 50-70%. The degree of homogeneity (similarity) of various viruses is only 30-50%. This suggests that specific antibodies are needed to treat each type of virus. And the presence of antibodies against one type of herpes does not guarantee protection against another type.

Herpes virus: how is it transmitted?

contact mode of infection- various touches, kisses, sexual life, as well as through common dishes, towels, bedding, clothes, as well as when a child passes through the birth canal from a sick mother. Important: the dormant virus is in a latent (inactive) state. For infection, an exacerbation of the disease with an external manifestation of a blistering rash and wounds is necessary. It is the rash that becomes the source of infection for the surrounding people. The carriage of simple viruses HSV-1 and HSV-2 is transmitted by contact. Moreover, the oral virus can successfully settle on the genitals, and the genital one - on the lips and other open parts of the body. These viruses interchange with each other on different parts of the body (which is often seen in those who practice oral sex).
Airborne infection. This is the most likely way to get chickenpox and one of the possible ways to get oral herpes.
Infection through blood- this method is possible through microtraumas, scratches and cuts, or during pregnancy, or during medical procedures (for example, during blood transfusion).

With low immunity, the primary infection forms a high temperature and multiple rashes. And in children - lethargy and capriciousness. Primary infection with herpes can also be asymptomatic. With strong immunity, protective forces produce the necessary antibodies and block the reproduction of the virus. In this case, the person does not know that he has become a virus carrier.

Secondary manifestations of infection, as a rule, cause a lower temperature. This is due to the fact that the body has already encountered this virus and knows how to deal with it. In this case, secondary rashes are possible in any part of the body. The dormant virus is located in the spinal cord and spreads along the nerve fibers to any organ.

Herpes simplex virus and pregnancy

The herpes virus during pregnancy does not always manifest itself in the form of a blistering rash. According to medical examinations, a rash forms in only a third of women. The presence of rashes also depends on the state of immunity.

Herpes simplex virus in pregnant women can be a recurrence of infection or a primary infection.. The reaction of the immune system, the type and amount of antibodies produced and, most importantly, the level of negative consequences for the child in the womb depend on whether the woman had previously had contact with a carrier of the infection or whether she became infected for the first time during pregnancy. How does the herpes virus affect pregnancy?

A recurrent (repeated) virus is not dangerous for an infant herpes simplex. During pregnancy, the mother's blood contains a sufficient amount of antibodies that can protect the baby from infection (there is a risk of infection, but its probability is only 5%). There is a high risk of infecting a child during childbirth, when passing through the birth canal (if at that moment the woman has blisters). In such cases, the woman is offered a caesarean section.

If the recurrence appeared from oral herpes, then infection of the baby during childbirth has a low probability.

Why is the herpes virus dangerous?

The primary herpes virus during pregnancy has sad consequences. Due to the lack of antibodies, it penetrates from the mother's blood into the blood of the developing fetus, causing deformities and other disorders in it, often incompatible with life. The primary herpes virus in the blood during pregnancy often causes spontaneous miscarriages or severe damage to the developing brain.

However, even here the risk of infection is not one hundred percent. According to medical studies, the risk of severe complications is 75%. In this case, the immunity of the mother plays an important role. It can block the reproduction of the virus even during the initial infection.

The most dangerous is the infection of a pregnant woman with herpes in the absence of antibodies to this disease. That is, those rare situations when the expectant mother did not become a carrier of the HSV-1 virus or Zoster in childhood and first became infected with it while carrying a baby. Or even rarer cases when a woman during pregnancy got a new sexual partner and became infected with the genital HSV-2 virus from him.

How to determine what you have - a primary infection or a relapse? After all, even with the first infection, a high temperature is not necessary, and relapses happen without an obvious carriage?

The most reliable answer will give a blood test for immune bodies and enzymes - ELISA.

ELISA blood test for the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies

The first time a virus enters the body, the immune system begins to produce antibodies. At the same time, specific antibodies remain in the human body, which will further control the reproduction of the virus.

The first antibodies that appear in a person's blood during infection are referred to as IgM by doctors.. With their help, the immune system blocks the vital activity of the virus.

In the future, to control herpes in a dormant state, other types of antibodies are produced - IgG. The amount of IgG antibodies indicates the relationship of the body with the dormant virus. If there are a lot of these antibodies, it means that immunity has fallen and the virus is out of control. Thus, a sharp increase in the IgG index or its high values in a blood test for ELISA (immunoenzymes) is a sign of activation of chronic herpes, relapse.

Note: The term "herpes simplex virus igg (or IgG) - refers to a recurrence of infection, which is blocked by group G antibodies. The analysis for herpes simplex virus igg - positive - in chronic infection (virus carrier). As practice shows, this analysis gives positive results in 95% of the population.

Herpes virus: symptoms of manifestation

What does the herpes virus look like? External manifestations of a herpetic rash differ from other types of rashes. These are bubbles that burst and turn into sores.. Subsequently, wounds located nearby can merge into one weeping spot under the crust. At the same time, until the virus is completely neutralized, the wounds do not heal, ooze, hurt, itch.

Formed wounds - a source of infection for the people around. Before the formation of wounds, a person - the carrier of the infection is able to infect only with close contact of the mucous membranes (kiss and sexual intercourse) or in the presence of skin lesions (abrasions, scratches). After the bubbles with purulent exudate have burst, the person becomes a source of easy infection for the people around him.

In acute herpesvirus type 1 and 2, the symptoms are pronounced. We list the most important signs by which you can distinguish herpes from other viruses, colds or flu:

Itching and burning - appear before the bubbles. These are the first symptoms of herpes. If you are prone to cold sores, start taking antivirals as soon as you feel the first burning sensation and discomfort.
Redness and swelling - appears in places of a future rash.
The rash looks like bubbles, which can be located in groups.
After a few days, the bubbles burst, the liquid flows out, and a crust forms.
12-14 days after the first symptoms appear, the crusts and wounds heal (unless a bacterial infection has joined).
Also in the area of rashes, lymph nodes increase.
Temperature rise is possible.

The herpes virus in children manifests itself more easily than in adults. This is especially noticeable during the first infection. Everyone knows that harmless chickenpox ( herpes virus type 3), which most preschool children tolerate without complications, can be a very serious, and even fatal disease for adults.

For the herpes virus in children, symptoms of fever, lethargy, moodiness may be the only sign of illness. In this case, it is difficult to determine whether it is herpes. For treatment, you can use general means of raising immunity (vitamins, human interferon).

Herpes virus in the blood: treatment

A few decades ago, doctors did not know how to treat viruses. The complexity of therapy was that viruses penetrate inside a living cell, and they can be destroyed only together with the cell. Then how to treat the herpes virus so that the losses of the body are minimal?

Modern medicine offers a number of drugs against herpes infection. The "grandfather" of modern anti-herpes drugs is acyclovir and medicines based on it.

Acyclovir is a relatively inexpensive drug that loses its high efficacy when used repeatedly. The virus mutates, adapts to the means of struggle and control. Therefore, drugs based on acyclovir are most effective at the first manifestations of the rash.

If you are deciding how to treat a virus in a child, you can safely turn to drugs that contain acyclovir. These are Acic, Virolex, Gerpevir and Herpesin, Zovirax, Lizavir, Supraviran, Citivir. For the first time, treatment with this antivirus will be affordable and effective.

Herpes simplex virus: how to treat relapses

How to kill the herpes virus so that the number of relapses is reduced to at least one per year? To do this, it is necessary to act in several directions:

Raise and maintain your own immunity. In addition to general measures to improve the regime of the day and nutrition, it is necessary to take probiotics and human interferon;
Limit the activity of the virus with an effective antiviral agent; It is necessary to start taking it as soon as you suspect something was wrong (redness or itching, burning appeared).
Remove the virus from human blood.

It is important to know: the body itself fights the virus, sooner or later it takes control of the uninvited guest. But with infection or recurrence of the herpes virus, treatment speeds up recovery.

How to cure the herpes virus in the blood?

The most effective is the treatment of the virus in human blood. For him, take antiviral pills or make similar injections. They act directly on the virus. Such treatment is supplemented by taking interferon, which in combination allows you to take control of the vital activity of the virus, remove it from the blood and preserve it in the nerve plexuses.

What is the herpes virus afraid of? What means are the most effective in combating it? This is a group of generic acyclovir drugs:

Valaciclovir (Valtrex) - tablets.
Penciclovir (Vectavir, Fenistil Pencivir) - ointments.
Famvir (tablets).

The effectiveness of their use also depends on the timeliness of the start of treatment. The sooner you start taking an antiviral agent, the easier it is for the body to block the reproduction of the virus.

Herpes virus: treatment with folk remedies

Natural first aid kit uses the following tools to fight the virus:

Garlic and herb wormwood (inside 3-4 times a day) - antiviral treatment, blood purification.
Wound healing with tea tree oil, aloe, propolis.

If you have a herpes virus, treatment will speed up your recovery and prevent new infections from coming back. Therefore, treating herpes is better than not treating it. Use your choice of pharmaceutical preparations or traditional medicine.

Back in 2012, statistics were published that the herpes simplex virus on the planet infected more than half of people under the age of fifty. What kind of virus is this, why is it so common and how dangerous is the disease of the same name? Let's talk in this article.

What is the herpes virus?

Often a person lives with the herpes virus all his life, which does not manifest itself in any way. This fact is a hallmark of the entire herpesvirus family.

Types of herpes virus

type of herpes virus	Name of the virus	Diseases caused by a virus
Type 1	HSV-1 (herpes simplex virus type 1)	Oral herpes, less commonly genital herpes
Type 2	HSV-2 (herpes simplex virus type 2)	Genital herpes, vaginal herpes, rarely oral herpes
Type 3	Varicella zoster virus	Chicken pox, shingles
Type 4	EBV (Epstein-Barr virus)	Infectious mononucleosis, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, CNS lymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma
Type 5	CMV (cytomegalovirus)	infectious mononucleosis, hepatitis, retinitis
Type 6	HHV-6A, HHV-6B (roseoloviruses)	Baby roseola, exanthema
Type 7	HHV-7 (roseolovirus)	chronic fatigue syndrome
Type 8	KSHV (Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus)	Kaposi's sarcoma

What kind of disease is herpes?

Herpes is a viral disease that is caused by herpesviruses of the first or second type. Its main symptom is a rash of vesicles on the skin or mucous membrane, grouped in small areas.

Causes of herpes

It was already mentioned above that the herpes virus can stay in the body for a long time without external manifestations. The development of the disease can begin due to several reasons:

hypothermia,
colds,
emotional exhaustion,
injury,
defective food, often with diets,
menstruation,
side diseases.

These causes have a common feature: they lead to exhaustion. The virus manifests itself as a disease when the body's resistance decreases.

Herpes symptoms

1. In the oral or genital areas (depending on which type of herpes begins), itching and discomfort appear.
2. The disease begins to manifest itself by the development of the inflammatory process. A small swelling appears, which grows quite rapidly.
3. The swelling turns into blisters with clear liquid contents. They burst and liquid, in which millions of viral particles, flows out. Ulcers form at the site of the blisters.
4. Ulcers dry up and turn into scabs that can bleed and hurt a lot.

The establishment of the same type of herpes occurs on the basis of the place of manifestation of the rash. Here there can be no confusion as to whether the patient has a genital or oral type.

Herpes virus: treatment in adults

Treatment of herpes, regardless of where it manifests itself, is carried out in two parallel directions:

suppression of virus activity,
strengthening immunity.

And the main thesis in the treatment and prevention of herpes: a healthy body itself copes with the herpes virus.

Suppression of the activity of the herpes virus

A drug	Price	Description
Zovirax	from 193 rub.	Antiviral drug based on acyclovir. Available in the form of a cream. In the standard course of the disease, it is applied to the areas of the skin affected by the rash and the areas adjacent to them five times a day. The course of treatment is four to ten days.
Panavir	from 137 rub.	Complex antiviral and immunomodulatory drug. For herpes, it is prescribed as a solution for intravenous injection. According to the instructions, in case of herpesvirus infection, the contents of the vial are injected in a jet twice with an interval of a day.
Vivorax	from 101 rub.	Cream with the active ingredient acyclovir. Effective in oral and genital herpes. It is applied to the affected and adjacent areas of the skin 5-6 times a day for five to ten days. The exact period of use is determined by the doctor according to the demonstrated effect.
	from 50 rub.	Antiherpetic preparation of local action. The areas of the skin affected by the rash are treated with ointment five times a day, no more than ten days.

Antiviral drugs for herpes are creams and ointments for topical use. They act on the virus at the site of manifestation of the disease, which is enough for the standard course of the disease.

When herpes occurs with complications, antiviral drugs are prescribed by injection. This is a more efficient way, but due to the principle of sufficiency, it is rarely used.

Strengthening immunity

You can meet the opinion that immunomodulators are a marketing product without proven effectiveness. But to achieve the goal, all means are good, and with herpes this statement is correct.

A drug	Group of immunomodulators	Price	Description
Ridostin	Interferon inducer	from 137 rub.	Immunostimulating and antiviral drug, the effectiveness of which is achieved by increasing the production of interferon.
Amiksin	Interferon inducer	from 598 rub.	A preparation based on tilorone with an antiviral and immunostimulating effect. It is a low molecular weight synthetic interferon inducer.
Neovir	Interferon inducer	from 574 rubles	Immunostimulator with antiviral activity against DNA and RNA genomic viruses. Promotes an increase in the production of interferon alpha.
Tamerite	Immunomodulator	from 492 rub.	Immunostimulating drug with anti-inflammatory effect. Efficiency is based on an increase in the antibacterial activity of granulocytes and non-specific defense of the body.
Galavit	Immunomodulator	from 329 rub.	Immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory agent. The mechanism of action is based on the effect of Galavit on the activity of phagocytic cells and the normalization of antibody production.
Viferon	Interferon inducer	from 186 rub.	A drug with antiviral and immunomodulatory effects. Efficiency is provided by increased activity of natural killers and increased phagocytic activity.

Whatever drug is used, it must be remembered that immunomodulators are not a panacea. They are helpers. The protective functions of the body need to be strengthened not only with medicines.

Traditional medicine recipes for herpes

The antiviral effect of garlic is widely known. It well suppresses activity and herpesvirus.

Complications after herpes

Herpes is a very dangerous disease in terms of possible complications. Their development is facilitated by:

weakened immunity and lack of immunostimulating therapy;
lack of treatment and prolonged manifestations of the disease with frequent relapses.

Complications can spread to almost all systems of human life and cause many diseases. Here are some of them:

Diseases - complications of herpes - Esophagitis, herpetic proctitis, viral stomatitis. Keratitis, iridocyclitis, corneal clouding. Herpetic encephalitis, meningitis, peripheral neuritis. Herpetic urethritis, herpetic cervicitis, erosion of the anterior urethra. Herpetic pneumonia, herpetic hepatitis.

Herpes during pregnancy

Infection of a woman with herpesvirus during pregnancy needs a separate explanation.

The absence of anti-herpes antibodies allows the virus to freely penetrate to the fetus, which provokes the development of defects and even miscarriages.

Prevention of herpes

A strong immune system copes with this task. To keep it in this state, you need to follow a few simple rules:

to refuse from bad habits,
eat well,
alternate load and rest in reasonable proportions,
avoid stress,
avoid overheating and hypothermia.

hand hygiene after each visit to public places;
use only personal hygiene products;
use of contraceptives during casual sexual intercourse.

Vaccination against herpesvirus

Scientists predict that a preventive vaccine can be created in the next decade, and then the fight against herpes will become effective both in terms of stopping the disease and preventing infection.

Herpes- a disease caused by viruses of various types; lesions can be localized on the genitals, mucous membranes and throughout the body, leading to unpleasant sensations and physical discomfort.

Complete elimination of herpes pathogens is impossible, therapy is aimed at suppressing their activity and putting them into a dormant state. The herpes virus can be in the body for a long time without leading to the development of a clinical picture.

The first symptoms occur suddenly and require immediate medical attention: depending on the stage at which measures are taken, the effectiveness of treatment and the speed of getting rid of the main symptoms depend.

Herpes - what kind of disease?

Herpes is a viral disease that has its own classification depending on the clinical manifestations and localization of the lesion.

To suppress the activity of the virus, complex treatment is used, including the use of antiseptics, antiviral drugs in various forms, and means for symptomatic therapy.

Depending on the form of herpes, infection can occur in the following ways:

airborne way: in a room with normal temperature conditions and indicators of air humidity, the pathogen can maintain its vital activity for no more than a day;
Personal hygiene items used by people infected with active herpes;
Blood transfusion and through open wounds or small violations of the integrity of the skin;
Contacts of mucous membranes and unprotected intercourse.

Causes of the disease

The cause of the disease is the entry of the herpes virus into the body. For a long time, it may not manifest itself in any way.

Under the influence of the following factors, the pathogen is activated:

Exacerbation of various diseases in a chronic form;
Disturbances in the work of the immune or endocrine system;
Systematic exposure to low temperature regimes;
Complications arising from diabetes mellitus;
Stress factors, emotional overstrain;
Reception of pharmacological preparations of hormonal type;
Infectious lesions of the body;
Radiation therapy and chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer;
Pregnancy;
The presence of bad habits;
Deficiency of vitamins and nutrients in the body.

Symptoms and features of the disease

The clinical picture of herpes that occurs on the body includes the following symptoms:

The severity of the symptoms of herpes on the body depends on the general health and immune system of the person.

Herpes on the back and lower back

The back and lower back are the most vulnerable parts of the body, on which herpes most often appears, since its causative agent is.

This form is called herpes zoster, it can affect all people who had chickenpox in childhood. The disease is not considered severe and dangerous, but it can cause severe physical discomfort to the patient.

The main features and symptoms are described below:

Localization of the lesion on the buttocks most often occurs due to the activity of the type 2 herpes virus, but other types of pathogens can also become their cause if, due to a violation of hygiene rules, they were transferred from other parts of the body.

The symptoms look like this:

Herpes on legs, feet and toes

In some cases, the rashes do not spread throughout the body, but are localized on the legs; the activity of the varicella-zoster virus, as well as type 1 or 2 herpes, leads to a similar clinical picture.

People who are actively involved in sports are prone to this form, since infection can occur through microscopic damage to the epidermis on the lower extremities, for example, on the soles of the feet and fingertips.

The symptoms look like this:

Herpes on arms, hands and fingers

Rashes that do not spread throughout the body, but only affect - this is a sign of infection with herpes simplex type 1 or 2.

The development of the disease is described below:

With the localization of herpes on the hands, the patient does not have a feverish state or a general deterioration in well-being.

Herpes that affects the body can be localized on the abdomen - this form of the disease is more difficult to tolerate than rashes on the arms, legs and buttocks.

The causative agent is the varicella-zoster virus, the features of the clinical picture depend on the stage of the disease.

At the first stage, when there is an increase in the activity of the virus, the patient has the following symptoms:

After 5 days, the causative agent of the disease begins to multiply in the body, during this period a new stage is released, which is characterized by the following symptoms:

Increase in body temperature, severe weakness of the body;
Increased itching, especially at night. When combing, there is a risk of secondary infections;
The appearance of blisters, their drying with the subsequent formation of crusts occurs after 5-7 days.

Diagnosis of herpes on the body

In the event of herpetic eruptions on any part of the body, an appeal to a dermatologist is required.

The following diagnostic methods are practiced:

If the rash spreads to the genital area, additional consultation with a gynecologist or urologist may be required.

If necessary, a dermatologist can refer you to a pulmonologist, gastroenterologist or infectious disease specialist for examination.

Treatment of herpes on the body

It is impossible to completely get rid of the causative agent of the disease; therapy is aimed at suppressing its activity, which leads to the disappearance of symptoms. Treatment is complex and is prescribed by a specialist, depending on the characteristics of the course of the disease and the localization of herpes.

Treatment features:

In the treatment of herpes on the body, it is forbidden to use hormonal drugs because it can cause serious health problems;
Therapy is prescribed taking into account the age of the patient, stage of the disease, extent of lesions and other factors. The whole process is prescribed and controlled by a doctor;
Antibiotics are also not used in the treatment of herpes on the body., experts prescribe them only in rare cases with a severe course of the disease, when foci of purulent inflammation appear on the skin or mucous membranes.

Below are the main groups of drugs and examples of drugs that are prescribed only after consultation with specialists.

Antivirals

Antiviral drugs form the basis of the course of treatment of herpes on the body with any localization of rashes.

Their action is aimed at suppressing the activity of the causative agent of the disease, which leads to a decrease in the severity of symptoms, gradual recovery and minimization of the risk of relapse.

Effective remedies for the treatment of herpes are:

Valaciclovir- is produced in the form of tablets based on the substance of the same name, its concentration is 500 mg in each tablet. It is used to treat herpes on the body in patients older than 12 years. In the treatment of genital herpes, 4 tablets are prescribed per day, they should be taken in 2 doses. Course duration - no more than 10 days. In case of relapses, a repeated course of 3 days is prescribed, the dosage is reduced to 2 tablets per day. With the localization of rashes on the back and lower back, 2 tablets are prescribed every 8 hours for a week, treatment begins 2 days after the appearance of rashes. If the patient has HIV infection, the dosage should not exceed 2 tablets per day. The cost of a package containing 10 tablets is 450-500 rubles ;
- is a budgetary antiviral drug based on acyclovir, it can be used to treat any form of herpes over the age of 3 years. Tablets are prescribed for adults to take 4 times a day, 800 mg each, between doses it is necessary to maintain a break of at least 6 hours. The duration of treatment is 5 days. For children over 6 years of age, the same dosage is prescribed, but the intake is carried out 4 times a day. At a younger age, 400-200 mg of the drug is prescribed. Instead of tablets, a 5% cream can be used, which is applied to rashes on the body every 4 hours. Depending on the dynamics, the duration of the course varies from 5 to 10 days. The cost of the drug is from 20 to 50 rubles .

It must be remembered that all of these drugs stop the process of reproduction of the herpes virus, but do not protect other people from infection, therefore, if localized in the genital area, one should refrain from sexual intercourse until complete recovery.

Immunomodulators

Another important component of drug therapy in the treatment of herpes on the body are drugs that have a stimulating effect on the immune system.

These include:

Imunofan- in the form of a solution for subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. The daily dosage is 50 mcg, 1 injection is carried out daily, the duration of the course is 15-20 days. With a tendency to recurrence of herpes, it is possible to repeat the course after 2-4 weeks. The drug is used to treat adults and children over 2 years of age. The cost is from 400 rubles ;
Arbidol- available in the form of tablets based on umifenovir, they must be taken before eating. The product is intended for adults and children over 2 years of age. At the age of over 12 years, the reception is carried out 4 times a day, 2 tablets, a break of 6 hours is maintained between doses. The duration of the course is 5 days. For the treatment of herpes in children under 12 years of age, the dosage is determined by the specialist individually. The packaging cost is from 250 rubles .

Antihistamines

The use of antihistamines and on the body is necessary to suppress itching, burning and other manifestations of physical discomfort.

The following funds are assigned:

- these are containing 10 mg of loratadine, they can be used to treat children from 2 years old. At the age of over 12 years, 1 tablet per day is prescribed, the duration of the course is determined by the speed and duration of the therapeutic effect. For children under 12 years of age and patients with severe liver damage, the dosage is adjusted individually. A package containing 10 tablets costs from 220 rubles ;
cetirizine- is another modern antihistamine drug in tablet form containing 10 mg of cetirizine. The tool can be used to eliminate itching on the body in the treatment of herpes in patients older than 6 years, provided that the body weight is more than 30 kg. It is allowed to take no more than 1 tablet per day. Average cost per pack 150 rubles ;
Desloratadine- in the form of tablets, it is used to treat patients older than 12 years. The daily dosage is 1 tablet, the duration of the course is individual and depends on the symptoms. To eliminate itching in the treatment of herpes in childhood, pediatricians sometimes prescribe Desloratadine in the form of a syrup. The cost of funds is from 130 rubles .

Treatment of herpes on the body with folk remedies

Traditional medicine knows a large number of ways to combat the manifestations of herpes that occur in various parts of the body, but they are allowed to practice only after agreement with a specialist and confirmation of the diagnosis.

Below are some effective home remedies:

Features of the treatment of herpes on the body in pregnant women

If the herpes virus enters the body of a woman before conception, the risk of infection of the child is minimal, since maternal antibodies provide reliable protection.

When infected already during pregnancy, the risk of transmitting the pathogen to the fetus increases significantly, which can create a threat of miscarriage or provoke pathologies of further development.

On the body during pregnancy should be carried out under the supervision of a physician, since there is a ban on the use of many pharmacological drugs.

The following treatment options may be offered to a pregnant woman:

Features of the treatment of herpes on the body in children

For the treatment of herpetic eruptions on the body in children, antiviral and immunostimulating drugs are also used, but only a pediatrician should deal with their appointment.

Some features of the treatment of the disease in childhood are discussed below: