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Human herpes virus: truth and fiction
There are a lot of ambiguous rumors about the causes and methods of treating the nasty blisters of the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1). Most of them have no real basis.
Appearance myths
They say: if the “cold” has disappeared from the lips, then the person is healthy.
Actually: once in the body, herpes viruses remain in it forever. In an inactive state, they hide in nerve nodes (ganglia), where they cannot be found. With a mild form of the disease (the frequency of relapses is up to 2 times a year), antiherpetic creams and ointments can be dispensed with. If the “fever” on the lips occurs more than 5 times a year, traditional remedies are not enough. In such cases, suppressive therapy is prescribed – the regular intake of drugs that suppress the activity of the virus, due to which it reminds of itself less often.
They say: Herpes appears only on the skin.
Actually: Indeed, most often the virus appears on the lips, in this case it is called labial. However, herpes can penetrate into : through the nerve pathways, it enters the mouth and larynx, eyes, genitals, lymph nodes, brain, lungs, and so on.
They say: if herpes appears during a cold, then it goes away faster.
Actually: herpes is an independent disease and does not affect the course of ARVI. But there is an inverse relationship: immunity weakened by a cold gives HSV-1 a “pass” to the surface, especially if the skin in the area of the skin of the nose and lips is irritated. Any microtrauma in these areas can provoke a rash.
Dangerous tattoo
If you have ever had a relapse of the herpes virus, be careful with any traumatic cosmetic procedures on the lips. For example, if the herpes virus is activated during tattooing, all the work of the master may go down the drain – pale unpainted areas will remain at the site of the rash. Therefore, after the end of the session, it is worth taking a course of antiviral treatment.
Propagation myths
They say: The herpes virus is airborne.
If your partner has already been sick with HSV-1 before meeting you, antibodies to the virus are present in his body, which means that re-infection on the lips will not occur.
Actually: labial herpes is transmitted only by contact – when the mucous membrane or damaged skin comes into contact with the affected area, as well as dishes, towels, cosmetics of a person who is a carrier of the virus in an active state.
They say: When engaging in oral sex, the herpes labial virus can get on the partner’s genitals and cause the development of genital herpes (HSV-2).
Actually: In case of contact on the genitals, infectious foci may also appear. Freshly picked up HSV-2 can be asymptomatic for many years. Only a condom or refusal of oral sex during a relapse of the disease will help to avoid infection. Moreover, if a partner has HSV-1, then antibodies to the virus are present in his body, which means that re-infection on the lips will not occur.
Treatment myths
They say: Herpes can be treated with antibiotics, hormonal drugs, brilliant green, UV radiation and even earwax.
Actually: HSV can only be dealt with by special antiviral drugs. Hormonal ointments reduce itching, but they do not affect the virus in any way. Zelenka dries up the site of infection, but is also powerless against the virus. Iodine simply burns the upper layers of the skin and only contributes to the spread of herpes. The situation can also worsen … Ear wax does not affect the course of the disease at all.
They say: Do not wet the affected area with water.
Actually: water does not affect the development of the disease, but if the crusts formed at the site of the bubbles get wet, there is a risk of accidentally ripping them off, and then the affected area will increase. If the wet wound becomes inflamed, the “cold” will last for a very long time.
If the “fever” on the lips has lasted for more than a week and antiviral ointments do not help, immediately consult a dermatologist. Perhaps this is not herpes – similar symptoms are given, for example, by the human papillomavirus.
They say: during pregnancy, herpes is dangerous to the fetus.
In fact: not always. If the expectant mother has already had herpes and she has strong immunity, that is, the level of antibodies in her blood is normal, there is nothing to worry about. In case of relapse of the disease, treatment should be prescribed by a doctor. If the virus is activated just before childbirth, then, in order to prevent infection of the fetus, doctors are considering a caesarean section. But if a woman has never had herpes and became infected during pregnancy, this can really become a threat to the child. Such cases should be immediately reported to the gynecologist.
What’s in your blood
If your doctor is not sure which herpes virus is present in your body, he or she may order a blood test. There are three main methods used for this:
Method No. 1: PCR diagnostics
Term: 1-2 days
Determines: the presence of the herpes virus
Designed: for newborns
Method No. 2: typing a virus using PCR diagnostics
Term: 2-5 days
Identifies: the type of herpes virus
Intended for: everyone
Method No. 3: ELISA diagnostics
Term: 3-4 days
Determines: the presence of antibodies to the herpes virus (IgM and IgL)
Designed for: for pregnant women
Possible options
Doctors identify 8 types of human herpesvirus (HHV). If the body is already infected with one of them, then the presence of antibodies to this type of virus does not reduce the risk of contracting another type of HHV.
HHV-1 (HSV-1) – labial herpes.
HHV-2 (HSV-2) – genital herpes.
HHV-3 (herpes zoster) – chickenpox, which mainly affects children, and shingles. If you have had one of these diseases, then the risk of catching another is very low.
HHV-4 (Epstein-Barr virus) is an infectious mononucleosis.
HHV-5 (cytomegalovirus) is a cytomegalovirus infection (CMV).
HHV-6 – neonatal erythema.
HHV-7 – damage to the immune system and lymphoid tissues.
HHV-8 – AIDS – associated Kaposi’s sarcoma.