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Herpes in children is a very serious problem, its symptoms and course are much more severe than in adults. Herpes in children can appear not only on the lips, but also inside the mouth, around the eyes and even in the nose. The younger the child, the more severely the herpes virus attacks, so never underestimate the changes that occur.
Cold-mouth herpes is caused by the HSV-1 virus. It most often occurs in the elderly and children, that is, in people whose immune system is significantly weakened or incompletely developed. Herpes in children most often appears between 6 months and 5 years of age.
Herpes in children – causes
HSV-1 is very easy to get infected because it is a virus that is transmitted by airborne droplets and contact. Children most often get infected from their parents or their peers in kindergarten, on the square. How can an infection get? First of all, during a kiss, which is why more and more parents do not allow their children to kiss even their immediate family, it is also not advisable to lick cutlery, use one cup or lick the baby’s pacifier. Herpes in children can also appear as a result of unwashed hands, which is why it is so important to learn that you must wash your hands after leaving the toilet, after coming from kindergarten or square.
The herpes virus is very dangerous because it is hidden, it is revealed when the body is weakened, in a period of high morbidity, it can become active as a result of overheating or cooling down the body, as well as under prolonged stress. The virus activates and begins to travel to the skin, infecting the most sensitive areas in the body.
Herpes in children – symptoms
Herpes in children is much more severe than in adults. Before the appearance of serous fluid-filled blisters appear, the child experiences persistent itching and unnatural coldness in the infected area. At a later stage, the vesicles are covered with scabs, which are most often purulent and cause pain to the child. Herpes in children is not only changes in the form of blisters, but also inflammation of the oral mucosa and gums.
Apart from the changes on the skin, which are a great discomfort for the baby, because they hurt and itch. Herpes in children is also manifested by reluctance to eat, apathy, general malaise, irritability, the symptoms may include gum swelling, drooling, as well as ulcers on the tonsils or tongue, the disease is also accompanied by a very high fever. The virus also causes enlarged lymph nodes.
How long does herpes last in children? A standard complaint may last from 5 to 7 days, but in more severe cases, the disease may last up to two weeks. Proper hygiene is very important at this time, the child must not scratch the vesicles or scabs, because then the virus can spread throughout the body. As for treatment, the virus is treated with painkillers and antipyretics, children under 12 are not allowed to give aspirin. Treatment in children should be under the supervision of a pediatrician, as not all drugs that are given to adults with herpes can be given to children. Home remedies can work, for example cool herbal teas, for example horsetail or lemon balm, for compresses with aloe pulp. There are special preparations for washing ulcers in pharmacies.
You can also choose to have a herpes mail-order test available on Medonet Market. Thanks to this, the child will not be stressed by a visit to the clinic, because the test is carried out independently at home. The waiting time for the results is 7 business days.
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