Herpes is a viral infection caused by the Herpes simplex virus or varicella zoster virus, causing symptoms such as blisters on the skin or mucous membrane, which can rupture and form wounds, which hurt and hurt.
There are different types of herpes, which vary with the body site where they appear and type of virus, so the infection can appear on the lips, such as cold sores, in the eyes, such as in the ocular herpes, the vulva, vagina, penis or anus, as in the case of genital herpes, or even chest and belly, causing herpes zoster.
The treatment of herpes is done by the general practitioner, dermatologist, infectologist, gynecologist or urologist, and usually involves the use of antiviral remedies, such as acyclovir or valacyclovir, to reduce the duration of symptoms, facilitate healing of the skin and decrease the risk of recurrence or transmission.
The symptoms of herpes
The main symptoms of herpes are:
- Small blisters with liquid on the skin or mucous membranes;
- Pain, tingling or burning in the affected area;
- redness or itching on site;
- Wounds or painful ulcers when the blisters rupture;
- In-ache near the site of infection;
- Crostas on site when wounds heal;
- low fever;
- Mal is generally.
These symptoms can appear about 2 to 12 days after exposure to the Herpes simplex virus. In the case of herpes-zoster, symptoms can appear in adulthood after the age of 50, due to reactivation of the varicella zoster virus, the same as that causes chickenpox. Know how to identify the symptoms of cold sores, genital, ocular and zoster.
In the case of genital herpes, other symptoms that may arise are pain or burning when urinating, vaginal discharge or discharge from the urethra or burning and pain when defecating, if the blisters are close to the anus.
Test of Herpes Symptoms
To know the possibility of having genital herpes, please select the symptoms that presents:
This test is a tool that serves only as a means of guidance, not serving as a diagnosis and does not replace the consultation with the gynecologist, urologist or infectologist.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of herpes is made by the dermatologist, infectologist, general practitioner, gynecologist or urologist through the evaluation of symptoms, health history and physical examination of lesions on the skin or mucous membranes.
Book an appointment with the dermatologist in the region closest to you:
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Exams for herpes
The tests for herpes that can be indicated by the doctor are:
- Blood test: to detect anti-HSV or anti-VZV antibodies produced by the immune system to fight infection;
- Swab of the lesion: collected a sample of the liquid from the blisters to analyze in the laboratory and identify the type of virus;
- RT-PCR: allows to accurately detect the type of herpes virus, such as HSV-1, HSV-2 or VZV, through a sample of the lesion fluid or blood sample;
- Examination of urine and urine culture: in cases of genital herpes symptoms;
- Tzanck test: done through a scraping of lesions to evaluate the tissue under the microscope and detect specific cells present when there is infection with herpes.
These tests allow the doctor to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as aphthous stomatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, cancer by the disease, syphilis, venereal lymphogulosma or allergic conjunctivitis, for example, and thus confirm the diagnosis of herpes.
Also read: Blows on the skin: 9 common causes (and what to do)
Types of herpes
According to the symptoms, where it happens and type of herpes-viruses, herpes can be classified into some types, the main ones being:
1. Herpes zoster
Herpes zoster, popularly known as copper, is a type of herpes caused by varicella zoster virus, the same as that causes chicken pox.
This is because the virus remains inactive in the body for many years, and can be reactivated when the immune system is weakened, as in the case of HIV infection, cancer treatment or autoimmune diseases, for example.
Herpes zoster can appear anywhere in the body, being more common in the chest, nape, lumbar region or face, in the trigeminal nerve region, and can cause complications, such as postherpetic neuralgia. Understand what postherpetic neuralgia is and how to treat it.
Also read: Is Herpes zoster contagious?
2. Genital herpes
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Herpes simplex virus, mainly type 2 (HSV-2), which can be transmitted through contact with saliva or the partner’s blisters through unprotected sexual intercourse.
This type of herpes can affect the vulva or internal or external area of the vagina, in women being also called vaginal herpes or female genital herpes, or the glans or penis stem or scrotum in men, being known as male genital herpes.
In addition, genital herpes can appear in the perineum, perianal region or in the inner part of the anus, in men or women. Know how to identify symptoms of genital herpes.
3. Herpes lip
Cold sores is a type of herpes caused by the Herpes simplex virus, mainly type 1 (HSV-1), which is usually transmitted through direct contact with the wound of another person’s herpes or by sharing cups or by unprotected intimate contact.
This type of herpes is characterized by the formation of inflamed open sores around the mouth, which last about 7 to 10 days. Check out all the symptoms of cold sores.
4. Eye herpes
Eye herpes, is an infection caused by the Herpes simplex virus type 1 can reach one or both eyes and lead to the appearance of symptoms similar to those of conjunctivitis, such as itching in the eyes, excessive tearing, swelling, redness or irritation in the eye, for example. Know how to identify the symptoms of ocular herpes.
In addition, ocular herpes can also be caused by the varicella zoster virus, and usually symptoms arise on the forehead and around the eyes, causing the appearance of blisters, redness in the skin, swelling in the eyes and intense pain.
5. Herpetic stomatitis
Herpetic stomatitis is a type of herpes caused by Herpes simplex virus, mainly HSV-1 and rarely HSV-2 type, causing the appearance of blisters on the tongue, gums, mouth sky or cheeks, for example.
In addition, pain or difficulty may arise to feed or swallow or high fever about 1 to 2 days before the blisters appear. Check out all the symptoms of herpetic stomatitis.
6. Neonatal herpes
Neonatal herpes is a type of herpes caused by the Herpes simplex virus that affects newborns causing the symptoms of herpes that may arise in the skin, eyes or mouth, or may occur in a widespread way, causing encephalitis, hepatitis or pneumonitis, for example.
This type of herpes can be passed on to the baby during vaginal delivery when the mother presents genital herpes for the first time in the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. Although it is rare, transmission can also occur during pregnancy, which can usually lead to fetal death. Learn more about genital herpes in pregnancy.
Possible causes
Herpes is caused by an infection by Herpes simplex, type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 virus (HSV-2) or by varicella zoster virus, which begin to multiply at the site of infection in the skin or mucous membranes.
Generally, after having the initial infection of herpes simplex or chickenpox, the virus remains dormant in the nerves for many years, and can be reactivated when the immune system is weakened, such as HIV infection, cancer treatment, autoimmune diseases, excessive sun exposure, eye injury or stress for example.
How does the transmission
Transmission of herpes occurs through direct contact with the skin or mucous blisters containing the fluid of a person infected by one of the Herpes simplex types. See all forms of herpes transmission.
In addition, in the case of genital herpes, transmission occurs through unprotected sexual intercourse with a person with an active infection.
Read also: Transmission of genital herpes: how to catch (and how to avoid)
Herpes zoster is transmitted through contact with the secretions released by herpes zoster wounds. However, when this happens, the person is most likely to develop chickenpox, and not herpes zoster, especially if they have never had chickenpox. Understand if the herpes zoster is contagious.
How the treatment is done
The treatment of herpes should be done with guidance from the dermatologist, infectologist, general practitioner, gynecologist or urologist, with the objective of relieving symptoms, as well as reducing their duration, facilitating the healing of lesions and reducing the risk of recurrence or transmission.
The main treatments that can be indicated by the doctor are:
1. Oints for herpes
Ointments for herpes can be used in cases of cold sores or genital herpes, such as aciclovir or penciclovir ointments, for example, because they have antiviral action that reduces the multiplication of the Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, the infection of new cells. See the main ointments for cold sores and genital herpes.
These ointments can be used from the first symptoms of herpes simplers, such as itching, burning sensation or tingling in the place, until the total disappearance of the wounds, and should be used with indication and medical guidance.
In the case of ocular herpes, the ophthalmologist may indicate the use of ophthalmic acyclovir ointment.
In addition, the doctor may also recommend the use of anesthetic ointments or capsaicin ointment, to relieve the symptoms of herpes simplex or herpes-zoster.
Also read: Treatment for cold sores
2. Antiviral tablets
Antiviral tablets, such as acyclovir, valaciclovir or fanciclovir, that may be indicated for early or recurrent cold sores or genital shepes, or herpes zoster, in addition to the prevention of herpes in people with the weakened immune system.
These remedies should be used with medical indication, with doses and by the time of doctor-oriented treatment.
Read also: Treatment for genital herpes: ointments, medicines and care
In addition, in the case of post-herpetic neuropathy, the doctor may indicate the use of anticonvulsant drugs, such as pregabalin or gabapentin, to relieve pain.
3. Food for herpes
Herpes diet can help strengthen the immune system to fight infection with herpes viruses, and it is recommended to consume foods rich in lysine, zinc, vitamin C, selenium and omega-3, for example. See what eating for herpes should be like.
In addition, to relieve pain and difficulty swallowing caused by herpetic stomatitis, one should prioritize consuming more liquid or pasty foods, such as soups, mingaus and purees, and avoid acid or spicy foods.
4. 4. Home remedies
Home remedies for cold sores, such as licorice tea or thyme infusion, can be used to supplement treatment with ointments or tablets indicated by the doctor, as they have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiviral action, which help relieve symptoms.
In the case of genital herpes, sitz baths with marjoram tea or witch hazel infusion can be made, for example. Learn how to prepare home remedies for genital herpes.
In addition, in the case of herpes zoster some options of home remedies are bathing with oats or chamomile, as they can help relieve itching and discomfort, as well as speeding up the healing of the skin. See all the options of home remedies for herpes zoster.
Has Herpes Cure?
Herpes has no cure, as there are no remedies that are capable of eliminating viruses from the body, but only prevent their multiplication, relieving symptoms more quickly and preventing other cells from becoming infected. Understand why herpes has no cure.
How to prevent it
Some ways to prevent herpes are:
- Avoid kissing people with mouth sores or borrowing lipstick
- Do not share cutlery, glasses, toothbrush or face towels;
- Avoid eating or tasting other people’s food such as popsicle, lollipop or ice cream
- Always use condoms in all intimate contacts;
- Have no intimate contact with people who have active infection, i.e. with blisters or genital sores of herpes;
- Do not receive oral sex from a person who has cold sores blisters;
- Avoid sharing hygiene products, such as soap or bathing sponges, when the partner is with redness or wounds with liquid in the genitals, thighs or anus.
In addition, in the case of herpes zoster the best way to prevent is to take the herpes zoster vaccine, which is indicated from 50 years old, to prevent its development or prevent the emergence of post-herpetic neuralgia. See how much to take and the major vaccines for herpes zoster.
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