How is herpes simplex caused
Release time : 12/12/2024 18:35:55
Herpes simplex is a viral skin disease caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus.
Traditional Chinese medicine refers to it as a "heatful sore."
Generally speaking, symptoms are mild in the whole body, but when they involve specific areas of the body, the consequences can be quite serious! For instance, headaches? How is herpes simplex caused? Let's learn together! How is herpes simplex caused? It is understood that the lesions of herpes simplex have a self-limiting nature, and the general symptoms of patients are generally mild, with a good prognosis. However, herpes simplex lesions occurring on special areas can lead to serious consequences, which should be taken seriously. Additionally, newborns and individuals with immune deficiency due to various reasons can contract the herpes simplex virus after infection, which may spread and affect important organs, resulting in severe prognosis.
单纯疱疹病毒是如何引起的？人单纯疱疹病毒对外界抵抗力不强，56℃加热30分钟，紫外线照射5分钟，乙醚等脂溶剂均可使之灭活；但可在-70℃环境长期保存其生物学活性。
In vitro, HSV can infect various embryonic and neonatal animal fibroblasts and epithelial cells and quickly produce visible lesions.
Herpes is a common and ancient infectious skin disease; records even date back to Ancient Greece. By the 18th century, clinically, there were already awareness of the existence of genital herpes. After the 19th century, due to the industrial revolution leading to dense population living and massive population movement, opportunities for transmission of the herpes virus through general contact and sexual contact increased, resulting in an increase in the incidence rate of herpes-related diseases. Medical practitioners gradually recognized its contagiousness and sexual transmission route, and subsequently discovered the characteristic of latency infection by the herpes virus.
Herpes is caused by the herpes virus itself, and its transmission routes depend on the location of infection as described below: 1. Oral herpes is primarily transmitted through saliva (during kissing) or food shared with close family members.
2. Genital herpes is primarily transmitted through intimate contact between partners.
3. Close contact with the skin and mucous membranes can lead to mutual infection.
4. Neonates are infected via the birth canal.
What are the symptoms of herpes simplex? Herpes simplex can occur in various parts of the body, with the most notable being blisters on the lips. So, what are the symptoms of herpes simplex? It is generally easy to diagnose when typical herpetic vesicular lesions are present on the skin; however, if the lesions are confined to deep-seated areas such as the reproductive tract, respiratory tract, or colon, a thorough physical examination is necessary to avoid misdiagnosis. In cases where only internal vesicular lesions are present without visible blisters on the surface, as in herpes encephalitis, accurately diagnosing the condition can be challenging.
Herpes simplex is divided into primary and recurrent types.
The incubation period for initial herpes zoster is 2 to 12 days, with an average of 6 days. Following treatment or spontaneous resolution, the virus may remain dormant in the body for extended periods. It can be activated by triggering factors such as fever, ultraviolet light exposure, wind, menstruation, trauma, emotional stress, nervous tension, gastrointestinal dysfunction, etc. This results in recurrent herpes zoster, often with recurrent outbreaks. Many patients with recurrent herpes zoster may experience prodromal symptoms prior to the onset of their condition, such as abnormal sensations in the affected area.
Apart from a few cases of systemic disseminated infections or encephalitis, herpes simplex is usually characterized by localized skin and mucosal vesicular erosions with mild systemic symptoms. However, in comparison, the systemic symptoms of initial herpes simplex patients are often more pronounced than those of recurrent herpes patients. The skin and mucosal lesions of initial herpes simplex often heal within 2 to 3 weeks, while the lesion of recurrent herpes patients mostly disappears within 1 week.
How to treat simple herpes? As the weather gradually warms up, human beings become more prone to dryness and heat. Simple vesicular eruptions become a relatively common condition. If you have noticed them in your life, what should you do about it? Following medical advice is best. Let's learn more about the treatment methods.
1. For the treatment of superficial, localized mucous membrane and skin lesions with herpes simplex virus, topical anti-infection medication alone may be sufficient. For patients with severe symptoms, especially those who have critical organ involvement, systemic anti-infection medication and symptomatic supportive therapy should be administered. Enteric-coated aspirin can be used for significant pain in the site of mucosal herpes. During the course of genital herpes, sexual intercourse should be avoided. For some patients, it is necessary to implement isolation from susceptible individuals.
2. In cases of superficial herpes lesions, anti-infective treatment can be administered locally. For example, application of 3% acyclovir ointment or 0.5% idoxuridine ointment to the affected area is recommended. If there is suspicion of bacterial infection, topical antibiotics such as neomycin or gentamicin ointment may be used. Traditional Chinese medicine, known as tanghuang, is derived from the secretion of plants in the family Apocynaceae and has antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and hemostatic properties. Reports indicate that applying 30% tanghuang tincture once or twice daily to the affected area exhibits good therapeutic effects for superficial herpes lesions. Given the potential serious consequences of herpes lesions in the eye, active treatment should be pursued; 0.1% idoxuridine eye drops are administered once hourly, and if symptoms improve, the interval between doses can be extended. For larger lesions, a 3% boric acid moisturizing agent can also be applied locally.
For patients with severe conditions or those where topical treatment is ineffective, systemic administration of antiviral medications through oral or intravenous routes should be considered: For recurrent genital herpes patients, acyclovir 200mg/dose, administered five times daily for a total of seven days, may be used. Alternatively, valacyclovir 300mg/dose, administered twice daily for a total of seven days, may be prescribed. It is important to note that some patients may be allergic to acyclovir and thus require careful monitoring.
Can simple herpes be completely cured? Simple herpes virus can be transmitted through contact and clothing. Symptoms recur if immunity is compromised.
Once infected, the virus becomes lifelong. Currently, there is virtually no cure for both type 1 simple and type II viruses that infect the reproductive organs. This is because women have periods during which their immune resistance may decrease, such as during menstruation or pregnancy, making it easier for the latent virus to activate. Therefore, treatment can only be symptomatic at times, with a focus on avoiding spicy foods, quitting smoking and drinking alcohol.
Having simple erythema, what should one eat? It is essential to pay attention to dietary choices when suffering from simple erythema! Let's take a look at the dietary adjustments that are important: 1. Ensure adequate protein and iron intake.
2. It is advisable to consume more lean meat, animal liver, tofu and soy milk in your diet.
3. It is advisable to consume more fresh vegetables and fruits.
4. Avoid consumption of seafood rich in fat and greasy foods, as well as those that are prone to gas formation.
Diet should be light and bland, avoiding stimulants.
Recommended Foods: Millet, Honeysuckle, Isatis root, Forsythia, Apples, Pears, Peach, Watermelon, Tomatoes, Corn, etc.
Avoided Foods: Sichuan peppercorn, star anise, and peppery fennel.
I would also like to recommend several dietary therapy methods: 1. 15g each of Herba Hedyotis and Crataegus pinnatifida, decocted in water.
2. Prepare a decoction with 30 grams of mung beans and 50 grams of reed rhizome, to be consumed in water.
3. Drink more mung bean or red beans soup.
4. Drinking tea made from the leaves of mung beans and honeysuckle flowers.
The medical content mentioned in this article is for reference only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.
In case of discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical attention immediately. The diagnosis and treatment should be based on a face-to-face consultation by a professional.