Herpes
Definition
Herpes is a contagious viral disease that comes in episodes.
This disease is known since antiquity.
The virus responsible for herpes belongs to the family of herpes viridae which brings together many viruses. Everyone is responsible for a particular disease such as Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV).
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the virus that causes herpes.
Extremely small infectious particle, it multiplies in the body where it remains now between outbreaks.
There are two types:
* Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), mainly responsible for herpes labialis
* Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), mainly responsible for genital herpes
Risk Factors
The main mode of infection is direct contact with herpetic lesions or infected secretions (saliva, nasal secretions, tears ...). The risk of infection is highest during outbreaks, but also outside of them in lower proportions.
In cases of herpes, it is advisable to have no direct contact of the skin (baisers.), particularly with people at risk such as pregnant women, newborns and immunocompromised individuals.
It should also be careful when one partner has genital herpes. Condom use is strongly recommended for people with genital herpes, either with or without seizures. It is even recommended to observe abstinence during times of crisis, particularly as reports can be painful.
Note that sexual contact involving the mouth and sex can lead to transmission of the virus on their lips to the genitals. The converse, although less frequent, is also possible.
You should know that a person infected with the virus also could infect themselves by touching another part of his body with his fingers.
Finally, the risk of transmission from mother to child during pregnancy is especially if primary infection or recurrences near term, at birth or even after birth.
Neonatal herpes is very serious, it is essential to avoid any contact between an infected person and a newborn.
There are circumstances favoring the occurrence of crises such as:
* Fever
* The stress or emotion
* Fatigue, jet lag
* Alcohol intake
* Rules
* A local trauma (tooth extraction, irritation
sex ...)
* Sun exposure
* Intercourse
* Some laser treatments, dermabrasion, ...
It can also be healthy carriers and transmit the virus.
Symptoms and diagnosis
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the virus that causes herpes.
The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) is primarily responsible for herpes infections of the upper body (face and mouth in particular) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2) of the lower body (genital area in particular) but HSV1 and HSV2 can infect all parts mucocutaneous.
These infections are usually benign.
There are a few forms, rare by serious complications, such as meningo-encephalitis syndrome, Kaposi's sarcoma-Juliusberg in a patient who has eczema, ... or the forms occurring on certain lands as fragile newborns, pregnant women or immunocompromised patients.
Ocular herpes is also, it can progress to blindness.
Signs of herpes have the following characteristics: at first itching, burning and tingling are felt by the patient. Then a few hours or days after the lesion appears as redness, followed by small blisters that ooze and then dry to form scabs.
Treatments explained
Herpes is not always perceived as a serious illness. While in general it does not life threatening, it is a source of discomfort, pain, anguish and therefore disrupts the quality of life in personal and social.
It is not possible to definitively eliminate the virus from the body. However, with currently available treatments and means of hygiene simple life, it is possible to limit the emergence of crises and to better support them.
Therefore, at the onset of symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor to advise a solution. The available treatments reduce pain, accelerate healing.
Mainly antivirals may be prescribed topical or oral.
Read also Hepatitis B
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