Herpes simple

Description of herpes simplex

Herpes simplex is a common viral disease in which rashes appear on the mucous membranes or skin of a person in the form of multiple clusters of bubbles.

According to antiviral-meds-info.com statistics, at the moment about 90% of the world’s inhabitants are infected with herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2.

The causative agent of this pathology is the herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2. After overcoming the skin barrier, the virus moves through the blood and lymphatic channels and thus reaches the tissues of internal organs. There the virus enters the nerve ganglia, invading the human genetic apparatus. After that, it is impossible to completely remove the virus from the body. The replication mechanisms of the herpes virus are the same as for any DNA-containing viruses. That is, the virus, entering the cell, triggers a productive or lytic type of disease. In this case, the infected areas can become inflamed, and after the body destroys the virus along with its cells, microscopic foci of necrosis are formed in the affected area.

The incubation period for herpes simplex usually lasts 1–26 days.

It is noteworthy that the reasons for the activation of herpes simplex lie in stress, chronic diseases, vitamin deficiency, etc.

Herpes simplex is most common on the lips.

This form of the disease is popularly called “labial cold”, although herpes simplex infection has nothing to do with a real cold. Often, herpes occurs on the human genitals.

Alzheimer’s disease may be a consequence of herpes simplex, according to research conducted by scientists from Colombia. In 70% of patients, herpes simplex type 1 is found in the brain tissues. In addition, 90% of the plaques in the brain of patients contain antigens of the herpes simplex virus.

Typically, herpes simplex virus type 1 causes the following diseases:

• acute herpetic stomatitis. As a rule, a person encounters him in childhood at the first infection. The incubation period of the disease in this case can last up to 5 days. Damage to the mucous membranes, formed as a result of tissue damage by the virus, heal after 2-3 weeks;
• Kaposi’s rash. The disease has symptoms similar to chickenpox. In some cases, it can be fatal;
• keratoconjunctivitis. With simple recurrent herpes in this form of the disease, the patient may experience cloudy eyes, which in turn can lead to blindness;
• herpes simplex encephalitis is a disease with a high risk of death. If the patient recovers, some neurological disorders remain;
• labialis is the most common form of type 1 herpes. The rash in this case is formed at the junction of the skin and mucous membranes. After healing, it does not leave scars on the body.

In turn, the herpes simplex virus type 2 can creep as follows:

• simple genital herpes, which is characterized by frequent relapses;
• herpes simplex virus in a newborn – occurs when the mother of the child becomes infected during childbirth. In some cases, it can be fatal;
• the herpes simplex virus during pregnancy can provoke serious consequences.

However, any type of herpes simplex virus can infect both areas of the human body (for example, after orogenital intercourse).

It is important to note that the herpes simplex virus is dangerous not only for humans. It often causes various diseases in dogs, rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, etc.

The choice of a specialist who will treat the disease depends largely on the area in which the tissue is damaged, and in what form the herpes simplex virus proceeds. So, simple and herpes zoster of the skin is treated by a dermatologist, treatment of genital herpes is carried out by gynecologists, andrologists and urologists. With ophthalmic herpes, the help of an ophthalmologist may be required, and with herpes of the oral cavity – a dentist.

Since herpes simplex usually manifests itself against the background of reduced immunity, it will not be superfluous to consult an immunologist. He will determine the reason for the decrease in the body’s defenses, and will give the necessary recommendations.

Infection routes

Herpes simplex virus is spread by contact with rashes or natural fluids. However, in some cases, the virus is transmitted through skin contact of a healthy person with a carrier of the virus. Often in the initial stages, the disease cannot be detected on its own without the use of laboratory research methods. Most often, infection with type 1 of the virus occurs in childhood, while herpes simplex genital – only after the beginning of an intimate life. 

At a temperature of 23-26 degrees and an average humidity in the room, the herpes virus can be active throughout the day. At a temperature of 50-55 degrees, it dies in half an hour, and at a temperature of -70 degrees it can live for about 5 days. On metal objects (for example, money, doorknobs), the virus lives for about 2 hours, while on clean medical wet cotton wool for up to 6 hours.

Herpes immunity

Children under 6 months of age have antibodies to the virus in their bodies, which were passed on from their mother. However, during the first years of life, they will quickly be used up. Therefore, the child’s body becomes most susceptible to the effects of the virus at the age of 6 months to 2 years.

IgG and special antibodies are found in the blood and mucous membranes of patients who have had herpes simplex virus, which drive the virus into a “dormant” state and prevent it from developing further.

Herpes in pregnant women

All types of viruses can pose a danger to a pregnant woman and her fetus. As you know, the herpes simplex virus is found in huge quantities in the environment, so it carries a special danger.

Of both types of herpes, type 1 is considered less dangerous, since it has been in the body of patients since childhood. This means that the body has developed IgG and natural killer cells for herpes simplex, which help the body to protect the fetus from the virus and maintain its amount at a low level.

Herpes simplex type 2 is more dangerous. So, if a woman has a primary infection, then she has a risk of intrauterine infection of the fetus. If she has been sick with this type of virus for a long time, and she has frequent exacerbations, then there is a possibility of infection of the baby during childbirth. That is why women with herpes simplex virus are advised to have a caesarean section.

The greatest threat is the herpes simplex virus type 2 if it entered the woman’s body when she was already pregnant. It is not without reason that this virus is classified as having a sharply negative effect on the fetus.

So, herpes simplex during pregnancy less than 13 weeks can lead to miscarriage, in the second trimester – to fetal malformations, and before childbirth can cause severe inflammation of the pelvic organs.

However, the herpes virus does not interfere with conception, provided that the intimate organs have not been damaged due to the disease , and this has not led to infertility.

In order to avoid various complications before planning pregnancy, a woman is recommended to do a PCR for the herpes simplex virus.

Symptoms

Herpes simplex is one of the most common viral diseases caused by 2 serotypes of the pathogen.

With the first type of virus with herpes simplex, a person is in contact practically from birth, and by 18 months it is in a latent form in almost everyone’s body. Herpes simplex shows symptoms on the skin and mucous membranes of the lips, nose, eyelids, and oral mucosa. The virus of the second type can only be infected through sexual contact, while rashes on the genitals are observed, after which it also goes into a latent form.

Knowledge of the symptoms manifested in herpes simplex is necessary in order to identify this disease as early as possible and begin its treatment. Usually, herpes simplex shows symptoms due to a decrease in the body’s defenses. Often this happens against the background of hypothermia, which gives rise to the common speech to identify the virus of the first type with the “cold”. Also provoking factors are overheating, stress, various infectious diseases that weaken the immune system (including HIV).

In the typical development of herpes simplex, 4 stages can be distinguished, which correspond to local symptoms of the disease:

• Stage 1. Itching, tingling sensations appear on the lips, tongue, corners of the mouth, in other areas, then redness of the skin and mucous membranes appears.
• Stage 2. The next day, in the area of ​​redness, in the absence of adequate treatment, small bubbles appear (first transparent, then with a cloudy content), the itching decreases. The number of bubbles can reach 10 or more.
• Stage 3. The bubble ruptures, the fluid with the multiplied herpes simplex virus flows out and an ulcer forms. The site of injury becomes painful.
• Stage 4. The sores are covered with a crust, skin damage is combined with pain.

All stages and symptoms of the virus multiplication in herpes simplex can be repeated many times, and the bubbles can merge into one larger size. In this case, the area of ​​the rash becomes edematous.

With primary infection with the herpes simplex virus, symptoms are more pronounced. The period after communication with a sick person usually lasts from one to eight days, after which chills, headaches, malaise are noted, the temperature in some cases reaches 39-40 ° C. Redness, then a rash appears on the surface of the lips, tongue, it is unlikely in the palate. tonsils and arches. Lymph nodes in the submandibular regions may enlarge. In children with significantly reduced immunity, the virus can also damage internal organs. On average, the duration of the disease is seven to ten days, but in the presence of a bacterial infection, it is prolonged. 

Relapses occurring with herpes simplex occur with similar symptoms, but in a milder form. The incidence of the disease is different: from once in several years, to three to four times within one month. Herpes simplex virus is not contagious without developing external symptoms.

With the herpes simplex virus in the mouth, called herpetic stomatitis, symptoms are different. A specific rash appears on the inner surface of the lips, cheeks, gums, palate. Within an hour or two, superficial ulcers open and appear. The next day, a whitish bloom appears on their surface. In the oral cavity, one of the symptoms of the development of herpes simplex against the background of rashes is soreness and increased production of saliva.

When the foci of inflammation are infected, the symptoms of herpes simplex after the bubbles dry out are aggravated by the appearance of large crusts with a layered brown structure. The process of treatment with this course of the disease is delayed; if symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, scar formation is possible.

Sometimes an edematous form may develop, in which severe edema occurs at the site of the herpes simplex virus (more often on the lips, eyelids, genitals) against the background of usual symptoms. This form, with frequent relapses, creates a state of persistent swelling of the lesion sites.

The combination of manifestations of the disease in different parts of the body often occurs with a pronounced decrease in immunity.

In women, symptoms of recurrent herpes simplex are often associated with the menstrual cycle. Frequent relapses of genital herpes simplex can cause difficulties in maintaining a normal sex life with the appearance of symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders.

The penetration of the herpes simplex virus can occur in places of damage with skin diseases: pemphigus, ichthyosis, with thermal burns of the skin. In this case, the main symptom is extensive skin erosion, and with the addition of a secondary infection – abscesses.

Symptoms of the erosive and ulcerative form of herpes simplex are characterized by the appearance of long non-healing ulcers that do not have seals, after opening the vesicles with typical polycyclic outlines. Pronounced pain sensations are noted.

One of the rare forms of herpes simplex is herpetic folliculitis, which develops against the background of HIV infection. Symptoms include multiple vesicles, which quickly break open and become brownish crusted. It occurs only in men around the lips and chin. 

At the same time, forms of herpes simplex are distinguished, in which the disease stops at the initial stage. Symptoms in this case may be limited to:

• itchy red spots with close to rounded contours, disappearing in 3-4 days
• single bubbles
• short-term itching that disappears in 1-2 days.

With dubious symptoms of herpes simplex, especially with genital localization, PCR (polymerase chain reaction technique) or RIF (immunofluorescence reaction) are used to detect the virus. However, these techniques are not cheap and are only used when needed.

Antiviral drugs are used for treatment, which reduce the symptoms of herpes simplex, but do not completely destroy the virus. It also improves immunity and treats major diseases.

Treatment of herpes simplex in order to obtain a lasting result, as soon as possible relief of symptoms, should be comprehensive and carried out by a specialist doctor. This is also true because more serious health problems can be hidden behind the manifestations of herpes.

Diagnostics

If you suspect you have a disease similar to herpes, immediately go to the hospital, where you will be prescribed to do the necessary tests and make the correct diagnosis.

Diagnosis of herpes simplex consists of anamnesis (survey), examination and laboratory diagnosis.

Anamnesis is collected by a doctor. During the examination, an element (vesicle, or vesicle) is found that rises above the level of the skin, containing a transparent liquid (hemispherical in shape with rounded outlines). When dry, the bubbles form crusts. If the vesicle is damaged, a small superficial defect remains , which disappears without a trace over time. The herpes virus of the first type, as a rule, affects the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and pharynx, eyes, and can cause encephalitis. Herpes virus of the second type is localized in the genital area. Nowadays, due to the diversity of people’s sexual life, there are cases of HSV-2 detection in places characteristic of HSV-1 and vice versa. These mutated viruses are more resistant and difficult to treat.

After examination by a doctor, the tests necessary for delivery to the laboratory are prescribed. None of the modern methods for diagnosing viral diseases gives a complete guarantee about this disease. Therefore, it is necessary to resort to using at least two diagnostic methods or to conduct repeated studies.

For laboratory diagnosis of herpes simplex, it is necessary to take the following materials for tests: blood, saliva, the contents of herpetic vesicles, smears from the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, pharynx, cervical canal and urethra.

Later, the resulting fluids are examined for the content of herpes simplex virus. Diagnostics can be carried out by the following methods: microscopic, molecular biological, cultural and serological.

Microscopic method. The resulting smears are stained with special dyes. In the presence of the herpes simplex virus, giant multinucleated cells are found. The amount of cytoplasm in them is increased, in the nuclei there are Caudi inclusions, which are lumps of marginal chromatin. However, this study has a low diagnostic specificity, since this method cannot distinguish HSV from other types of herpes. The sensitivity is about 60%. In our time, this study is not reliable. 

Cultural method. This type of research consists of several stages. First, material is taken from the patient (mainly the contents of the vesicles), presumably containing a virus. Then either a laboratory animal is infected with it, or (most often) it is introduced into a special cell culture or chicken embryo. After a day, the infected animals show symptoms of the disease. After 2-3 days, changes begin to occur in the layers of cells: they round up, form huge cells with atypical inclusions in the nucleus and many nucleoli. On the second day, plaques of 2-3 mm in size are formed in the chicken embryo. For better visibility, they are painted with neutral red. In the presence of the above changes, the analysis for the herpes simplex virus is considered positive. This method is accurate, however, it is time consuming and expensive. 

Molecular biological method. This method includes the polymerization chain reaction (PCR). With the help of this reaction, it is possible to identify the pathogen in the analysis of blood, sputum, saliva, urine, contents of vesicles, cerebrospinal fluid. DNA is separated from the material obtained from the patient. Then the fragments specific to this virus are copied many times and the results obtained are recorded. This study is the method of choice due to its high accuracy. PCR is able to distinguish HSV-1 and HSV-2 and to determine the amount of herpes simplex virus, which makes it possible to use this method both for diagnosis and for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment.

If there is even a minimal amount of HSV in the material obtained, the reaction becomes positive, in the absence – negative.

Serological method. Used more often than others. As a research material, blood serum is mainly taken. Diagnosis is based on the detection of antigens (specific viral proteins) and antibodies (specific immune complexes of the body) to the herpes simplex virus. Antibodies are protein complexes that are produced by blood cells. When a pathogen enters the body, antibodies bind to it and after a while it is activated. 

In HSV disease, the focus is on three types of antibodies: M, G to early proteins and G to late proteins. Antibody M appears in the blood a week after contracting the herpes virus and indicates an acute, first-onset infection. In some people, this protein may be found when an old infection reappears. Antibody G – an indicator of chronic disease, appears in the body 14-21 days after the disease. Its different concentrations indicate either the transition of the disease into a chronic stage, or about the low resistance of the body, or about recovery. 

The serological method allows you to determine the amount of the virus and monitor the increase in its titers in the blood, which makes it possible to assess the effectiveness of treatment. To do this, examine the sera taken at intervals of 7-14 days. This diagnostic method is based on RNIF and ELISA.

Indirect Immunofluorescence Reaction (RNIF) – highly sensitive and specific method. It is based on the binding of the antigen + antibody complexes and the subsequent attachment to them of fluorochrome-labeled antibodies specific to specific antibodies to the antigens of herpes viruses. Subsequently, when glowing with ultraviolet light, complexes that can be calculated are determined.

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has a high accuracy and specificity, about 100%. To diagnose HSV, two methods of ELISA are used: with a labeled antigen and with a labeled antibody.

In a labeled antigen assay, a labeled herpes antigen is added to the available serum. If there were antibodies in the serum, antigen + antibody complexes are formed. After the instrumentation is washed and specific enzymes are added to them, which can react with these complexes. Then a reaction takes place and the samples are colored. By the brightness of the colored substance, the titer of antibodies in the blood is judged. 

The reaction with a labeled antibody is more complicated. Labeled antibodies are added after the unlabeled antigen + antibody substrate has already formed. In this case, a new complex is formed, where the antigen is surrounded by two antibodies. This arrangement improves the quality of the ELISA reaction, which helps to detect antibodies even with their low content.

If the test is positive for antibodies M, G to primary proteins and G to secondary proteins, this indicates an initial acute form of the disease. If the analysis is negative for these types of antibodies, the person has never had a simple herpes virus. If the test is positive for antibodies M and negative for antibodies G to primary proteins and G to secondary proteins, it can be concluded that the disease is very recent. If the test is negative for antibodies M and positive for antibodies G to primary proteins and G to secondary proteins – either the second half of the initial acute infection, or exacerbation (relapse) of herpes disease. If the analysis for antibodies M and antibodies G to primary proteins is negative, and antibodies G to secondary proteins are positive, a stable immunity against herpes simplex virus has been developed.

The disease can be judged by the percentage of antibodies G. The presence of antibodies G more than 60% indicates that a person is a carrier of infection, and the disease has passed into a chronic stage. If the amount of G antibodies is 50-60% – the transition of the disease from the acute stage to the chronic one, it is necessary to repeat the study after two weeks. The absence of these antibodies suggests that the person has never had the herpes simplex virus.

The analysis is deciphered in the laboratory. Diagnosis and diagnosis is carried out exclusively by a physician.

Treatment

Treatment of herpes simplex has always been and remains an urgent problem. This is due to the fact that the majority of the world’s population (about 90%) is infected with this virus.

Unfortunately, today not a single drug is able to completely remove the virus from the body, so all treatment for herpes simplex is reduced to eliminating the symptoms of the disease.

The herpes simplex virus may require different treatment depending on the location of the affected tissue.

However, in any case, when treating a disease, doctors pursue the following goals:

• reducing the period of exacerbation of the disease;
• decrease in the severity of symptoms;
• decrease in the number of relapses;
• prevention of fetal infection during pregnancy;
• preventive measures aimed at reducing the risk of complications in children born to an infected mother.

Treating herpes with medicines

It is important to note that there are two types of drugs on the pharmaceutical market today. Some of them have a wide range of actions, that is, they perform all the necessary functions, while others belong to a highly specialized group, that is, they perform any one function.

According to the form of release, such drugs are divided into drugs for external use (ointments, creams, gels) and internal (tablets, syrups).

As a treatment for recurrent herpes, doctors often recommend that their patients use immunostimulating drugs.

For the treatment of herpes simplex, in no case is it recommended to use monotherapy, since in this case it is extremely ineffective. Usually, doctors recommend monotherapy for exacerbation of the disease.

So, prolonged use of antiviral drugs and the use of ointments as a permanent treatment can lead to the patient falling into a vicious circle, from which it will subsequently be quite difficult to get out. If, at this time, the patient also experiences stressful situations in his life, then the disease can greatly worsen.

At the same time, complex therapy will help to relieve unpleasant symptoms of the disease in the shortest possible time and lead to a long and persistent remission.

Typically, treatment for herpes simplex requires the use of suppressor drugs. The use of these drugs for 5-7 days will help the patient to significantly reduce the concentration of the virus in the body.

After this period, the doctor may prescribe immunotherapeutic drugs to the patient, which are produced in the form of recombinant alpha-interferons, as well as immunomodulatory agents. They are often used to treat herpes simplex with IgG (immunoglobulins). The duration of treatment with these drugs largely depends on the neglect of the disease and the state of the patient’s immunity.

In advanced cases, the dosage of these drugs is increased, in addition, the duration of their use can increase up to 10 days. After relief is achieved, for a stable remission, patients are recommended to administer herpes inactivated vaccine. Thus, the patient will be able to reliably record the achieved result.

It is important to note that the effectiveness of this vaccine depends on the state of immunity, as well as the number of times it is used. This vaccine is administered intradermally. After using it, the skin at the injection site resembles an “orange peel”. It is very important to carry out this vaccination, observing the terms, since otherwise the entire multi-month course of treatment will go down the drain.

Despite the fact that the introduction of the vaccine does not cause difficulties, health workers should still carry out this procedure.

At the moment, a new Russian drug for herpes, Gerpferon, is widely used. Its active ingredients are acyclovir and interferon.

Treatment for herpes simplex virus depends a lot on the type of virus. So, the treatment of the herpes simplex virus of the second type should include the use of various creams and ointments, which include components that suppress the reproduction of the virus.

Treating herpes with non-drug methods

In addition, in the treatment of herpes type 2, doctors often use non-drug methods of treatment, such as, for example, ozone therapy. Thus, specialists can improve the patient’s condition, as well as significantly reduce the period of taking medication.

Moreover, if the patient has not too pronounced signs of damage to the body with herpes infection, then ozone therapy can even be used instead of a course of immunostimulants and antiviral drugs.

In the treatment of herpes, doctors use subcutaneous microinjections from an ozone-oxygen mixture. In addition, the treatment of herpes simplex type 2 may include autohemoozone therapy. The essence of this procedure is the collection of venous blood and its further enrichment with an ozone-oxygen mixture. After that, the patient’s blood is again injected into the vein. To eliminate the unpleasant symptoms caused by herpes infection, the patient needs to undergo 8-10 autohemoozonotherapy procedures, which should be performed 2-3 times a week.

For herpes simplex virus type 1, treatment may include laser therapy. This method is very simple, convenient and at the same time effective.

How to treat herpes simplex with a laser? During this procedure, the doctor acts with a special device with infrared radiation on the affected tissue. Laser therapy can be used at any stage of herpes treatment, however, the greatest results can be achieved if the treatment of herpes simplex is started in the initial stages. If laser treatment began to be carried out at a time when the patient had just begun to feel itching and burning, then the development of the pathological process can be eliminated after the first procedure. After exposure to the affected areas with a laser, skin regeneration occurs as soon as possible.

Treatment of herpes in children

Treatment for herpes simplex in children can vary. It all depends on the form in which the child has the disease.

Most often, doctors prescribe antiviral drugs for external and internal use for children. It is advisable to start treatment of herpes simplex in children immediately at the first signs of the disease. Otherwise, the disease can threaten with complications.

If herpes is severe and is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, and treatment with antiviral drugs does not help, then in this case the doctor may prescribe human immunoglobulins against the herpes simplex virus.

If herpes has become too common in a child, then he may need the help of an immunologist. If necessary, the doctor will give recommendations that can significantly improve the baby’s immunity.

A woman can also treat herpes simplex in a child with folk remedies. However, before that, she should consult a doctor. Only a specialist can advise how to treat herpes simplex virus with herbs.

During an exacerbation of the disease, the child should take a shower several times a day and wash his hands as often as possible. If a child has herpes simplex, prevention of the disease in family members should be the use of a separate washcloth, towel and utensils. With a herpetic lesion of the oral cavity, the child should not injure the sores with his tongue.

Medicines

Treatment of herpes simplex (with the exception of complicated and severe course) is carried out on an outpatient basis (at home). The main key link is the herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, which cause herpes simplex. Medicines used in the course of treatment can be divided conditionally into 2 groups:

• Influencing the etiological factor (virus) is the most important link in treatment.
• Influencing the pathogenetic and symptomatic factor – NSAIDs, dehydration, glucocorticosteroids.

The drugs of choice in the treatment of herpes simplex are antiviral agents, in particular acyclovir (Zovirax, virolex, antivir), valacyclovir, alpizarin. They directly affect the etiological factor and suppress the multiplication (replication) of the virus.

Acyclovir (after activation – acyclovir triphosphate), interacting with DNA polymerase, leads to suppression of viral DNA synthesis, which disrupts its replication. Acyclovir has few side effects, is practically non-toxic to the body in adequate doses. For herpes simplex, it can be applied topically, orally (by mouth) and parenterally (intravenously).

It is applied locally in the form of an ointment, treating the affected skin area 4-5 times a day until the symptoms of the disease disappear.

Inside it is applied 4-5 times a day for 8-9 days at a dosage of 200 mg – for both adults and children. Acyclovir can also be used for prophylaxis when the disease often recurs. Usually, frequent relapse is associated with seasonality and a general decrease in immunity (autumn-winter period), when herpes simplex appears against the background or after illness with other infections.

Intravenous (parenteral) dosage is about 20-30 mg per 1 kg of human body weight per day. Intravenous administration is usually indicated for the complicated course of herpes simplex, herpetic encephalitis and is not used in the normal course of the disease. For neonatal herpes (from birth to 3 months inclusive), the dose is 10 mg / kg 3 times a day. The dose and course are determined by the doctor individually, on average, treatment lasts 10 days.

Other derivatives of acyclovir, such as valacyclovir, famciclovir are used less frequently due to their lower effectiveness, however, they are also used. It should be noted that valacyclovir has a higher bioavailability compared to acyclovir, but less pronounced antiherpes effects. Penciclovir is used only topically.

Vidarabine, as an antiviral drug, has the same spectrum of activity as acyclovir. It is most effective for herpetic keratitis and is a “reserve” drug for herpetic encephalitis. However, vidarabine is much more toxic than acyclovir, and its effect can be aggravated by such side effects as dizziness, impaired coordination of movement, convulsions.

In addition to antiviral inducers, endogenous interferon inducers are also used – amiksin (tiloron), polidan. Amiksin is used more often in the CIS countries, but its effectiveness is low. Polydan is less common. Amiksin improves the general well-being of the patient without changing or affecting the course of the disease.

In the treatment of herpes simplex, immunomodulators are often used – substances that correct disorders in patients with reduced immunity. Immunofan and polyoxidonium are often used. The principle of action of all immunomodulators, although it depends on the group of drugs, but the essence always consists in correcting immunity disorders in diseases accompanied by its decrease – in particular with herpes simplex. The dosage and course of treatment are set individually by the doctor.

In pathogenetic therapy (influence on the pathogenetic factor), a special place is occupied by the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which facilitate the course of the disease, eliminate pain, reduce possible fever, improve the general condition and well-being of a person. Drugs such as ketorolac, ketans can be used; at elevated temperatures – ibuprofen.

Also, synthetic glucocorticosteroids are used, such as dexamethasone, dexazone, usually together with dehydration therapy in cases of central nervous system virus damage (including generalization of the virus). When preparing a solution for intravenous drip infusion, it is better to use a 5% dextrose solution.

The answer to the question “How is herpes simplex treated?” is unambiguous – acyclovir (zovirax) in combination with fortifying agents.

Folk remedies

Let’s turn to traditional medicine

Depending on the division into two main types of the disease – “cold on the lips” and genital, there are also approaches to its treatment. The main thing is to draw up an ideal program for recovery with your doctor.

Despite the constant development of medicine, people still turn to folk remedies with the same desire. After all, these methods have been repeatedly used for tens, if not hundreds of years in a row.

Traditional recipes for the treatment of herpes

The treatment of herpes simplex with folk remedies should be given special attention. First of all, it is necessary to identify with the attending physician whether there are personally intolerable or allergic ingredients in the proposed formulation. And only after that, together with the doctor, you can draw up a treatment plan and select the appropriate recipes from traditional medicine. We have given several classic recipes as an example.

Sage decoction recipe

For cooking you will need:

• 1 tablespoon of sage leaves or 1 sachet of crushed pharmacy.
• Glass of water.

Bring water to a boil and simmer the sage. After about 30-40 minutes, strain the broth and cool to room temperature. Used as a gargle for the first type of herpes. In the case of the second type, add the broth to the bath. Take a bath for no more than 15 minutes.

Eucalyptus and honey

Despite the complete opposite of the products, together they form one whole in the fight against viral skin disease. It is enough to brew 0.5 kg of eucalyptus leaves and add 2 tablespoons of honey to the strained broth. Application is local. On the inflamed skin.

Viburnum infusion

This procedure is both preventive and used when the virus is expelled from the body. A few tablespoons of viburnum are poured with a glass of boiling water, after which they should be left to infuse for 4 to 8 hours. Ideally, you can brew the infusion overnight. In this case, the broth will be ready by the morning, and it will be possible to start treatment without delaying it for the evening.

Essential oils

Essential oils can help cure herpes, such as:

• Fir;
• Tea tree oil;
• Almond.

These oils have antibacterial properties. Thus, you can fight the disease by adding a few drops to the bath or by applying oil to the affected skin. This method is equally good in the case of “cold sores” and genital herpes.