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Herpes Simplex - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Definition:
Herpes is a virus that infects the skin, mucous membranes and nerves. Herpes infections are a group of diseases caused by a herpes virus. There are eight different herpes viruses that can infect humans. Herpes simplex is commonly referred to as cold sores or fever blisters. Cold sores are a type of facial lesion which are usually found either on lips or on the area adjacent to mouth.
Herpes Simplex virus is mainly divided into two main sub categories. Type-I is the most common and is responsible for herpes simplex eye disease. Type II is responsible for sexually transmitted herpes.
They usually begin as a group bumps which are red in colours. This is preceded by itching and burning of the area. The blisters begin to dry up after a few days while forming a yellow crust. The crust then falls off and redness also starts going away. It takes atleast 10-15 days to cure completely.
Causes of Herpes Simplex:
Some of the main Causes of Herpes Simplex are:
- There are two kinds of herpes virus, type 1 and type 2, that are the main cause of herpes simplex. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is usually associated with infections of the lips, mouth, and face. Herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) is transmitted by sexual contact, kissing, or other close contact.
- Family members should not share towels or linen with someone who has an outbreak of herpes on the genitalia or cold sores.
- Once you have herpes simplex type 1, you cannot be reinfected with the type 1 virus. You can be infected with the type 2 virus.
- Fever, sun exposure and menstruation can act as trigger factors for herpes simplex.
Symptoms of Herpes Simplex:
Some important Symptoms of Herpes Simplex includes:
- Primary symptoms of herpes simplex are oftently accompanied by fever rising to about 102°F, muscle aches, and flu-like malaise.
- Once herpes simplex virus gets entry into the body, it spreads to mucosal areas through nerve cellPain in the legs, buttocks may be due to viral infection.
- Vaginal discharge.
- Headache.
- Skin eruptions may also ben seen after 2-12 days of exposure to herpes virus.
- Urinary pain or difficulty is a common symptom in case of herpes simplex.
- Blisters and/or ulcers may also be seen very often in mouth, lips and gums or genitalia.
- There will be enlargement of lymph nodes in the region of neck or groin.
- Swollen glands in the groin area.
- You may have the feeling of sore mouth.
- Genital Lesions in both male and female, aer also very common in herpes simplex suffering patients.
Treatment of Herpes Simplex:
Some Important Treatment options for Herpes Simplex may be:
- Non-prescription analgesics can reduce pain and fever during initial outbreaks of herpes simplex.
- Antiviral drugs are very effectivge in slowing the replication rate of herpes virus and providing a greater opportunity for the immune response to intervene. Some Oral antiviral drugs effective in curing herpes simplex fast include:
- Aciclovir.
- Valaciclovir.
- Famciclovir.
- Vaccines function very effectively to prevent the infection in new patients. Some vaccines have been tried to prevent the HSV occurrence. These include the smallpox, Polio and Lupidon C vaccine.
- Proper nutrition, exercise, and rest helps in maintaining a healthy immune system thus in turn can used for the treatment of herpes simplex.
- Docosanol is another treatment that may be effective. Docosanol works as a barring entry into the cell for the virus.
- Isoniplex is used in herpes simplex virus infections due to its antiviral action, and more significantly, the ability to stimulate the body's immune response.
- Long-term drug therapy ('suppressive treatment') may be helpful for individuals who suffer frequent recurrent outbreaks.
- Keep the infected area as clean and dry as possible. This will help your natural healing processes.
- By using high protection factor sunscreens and other measures are important for the treatment of herpes simplex.
- Topical antibiotic ointments also may be applied to prevent secondary bacterial infections.
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