HSV 1 and 2 types: diagnosis, treatment

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and type 2 are the most common varieties of herpetic infection. The peculiarity of herpes simplex is that it can be hidden in the body for a long time. Infection begins to manifest itself in the disturbance of the immune system.

How does the infection occur?

The source of herpesvirus is people infected with HSV. In an infected person, urine, contents of vesicles, erosion, ulcers, nasopharyngeal mucus, conjunctive secretion, tear, menstrual blood, amniotic fluid, vaginal and cervical secrets, sperm - can contain a virus. Its localization depends on the path of infection.

Mechanisms of HSV transmission:

• the infection is transmitted by contact-household way (through contaminated dishes, toys, linens, etc.);

• The virus is transmitted through sexual contact and through saliva (kisses);

• During the delivery, the virus is transmitted from mother to child.

Type 1 Virus

HSV type 1 - oral (oral) or labial herpes. Infection, as a rule, occurs in the first years of life. Type 1 mainly affects the lips and nasolabial triangle. But depending on the work of the immune system and the area of contact of the virus with the body, herpes can appear on:

• skin integument of the fingers and toes (mainly the nail roller of the fingers);

• mucous membrane of genital organs, oral, nasal cavity and eyes;

• tissues of the nervous system.

Herpes of type 2

HSV type 2 - anogenital (affects the area of the anus and genitals) or genital. Usually, infection occurs through sexual contact. Characteristic signs of the disease:

• According to statistics, infection usually occurs during puberty;

• Women are infected with type 2 herpes more often than men;

• antibodies to the herpes virus of type 1 available in the body do not prevent infection with type 2 virus;

• signs of skin lesions of the genital area (perineum, anus, lower limbs, buttocks);

• asymptomatic or atypical course of type 2 virus occurs in 70% of cases;

• for type 2 virus, recurrent manifestations are characteristic;

• HSV - an infection that provokes the process of malignant degeneration: in women - the tissues of the cervix uteri, in men - the prostate;

• Herpes is accompanied by gynecological diseases and leads to a violation of reproductive function.

Herpes virus: symptoms and types of diseases

1. Herpetic infection of the oral cavity:

• There are inflammatory processes (gingivitis, stomatitis, pharyngitis);

• the disease is accompanied by high fever and increased lymph nodes on the neck;

• the patient suffers from malaise and pain in the muscles;

• There are painful sensations when swallowing food;

• rashes may form on the gums, tongue, lips and face;

• in some cases, the development of tonsils;

• duration of the disease - from 3 to 14 days.

The severity of the course of the disease is directly dependent on the state of the immune system.

2. Defeat of the genital tract by the herpes virus. Symptoms:

• fever;

• headache;

• a painful condition;

Pain in the muscles;

• itching;

• difficulty with urination;

• discharge from the vagina and urethra;

• enlarged and painful lymph nodes in the groin area;

• characteristic skin rashes in the area of the external genitalia.

In some cases, the rash appears in the anus. In this case, the patient is disturbed by constipation, pain in the anus, sexual impotence.

3. Herpetic frenzy - the defeat of the soft tissues of the finger, in most cases is found among medical workers. Symptoms:

• the finger swells and turns red;

• palpation is painful;

• a characteristic rash appears;

• Sometimes the disease is accompanied by a high body temperature;

• inflamed lymph nodes.

4. Sometimes it affects the internal organs of the herpes virus. Symptoms of internal organs:

• impaired swallowing;

• Pain behind the sternum;

• pneumonia: it is difficult to take in case of bacterial and fungal infection;

• Hepatitis is complicated by an increase in body temperature, blood levels of bilirubin and transaminase are increased, DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation of blood) can develop;

• arthritis;

• necrosis of the adrenal gland, etc.

Lesions of internal organs with a herpetic infection are most often found in persons with immunodeficiency.

5. Herpesvirus infection of the eyes :

• there is pain in the eyes;

• edema of the conjunctiva;

• visual impairment.

In case of defeat with the herpes virus, eyes may develop impaired vision or complete blindness.

6. Herpetic attack of the nervous system :

• herpetic encephalitis: fever, development of mental and neurological disorders;

• Herpetic meningitis can be a complication of herpes genitalia , signs are pronounced: headache, fever, photophobia;

• Affections of the autonomic nervous system: the patient feels numbness and tingling in the buttocks, has difficulty with urination, constipation, impotence appear.

The disease affects the nervous system in people with immunodeficiency.

7. Herpesvirus in newborns attacks internal organs, central nervous system and eyes. In most cases, skin rashes appear already in the late stages of the disease. Therefore, if a child does not have a herpetic rash, this does not mean that he does not have herpes.

Herpes simplex in pregnancy

Herpes is very dangerous for a pregnant woman. During this period, the body is most susceptible to various infections due to toxicosis, hormonal adjustment, etc. During pregnancy, the presence of a herpetic infection can provoke irreversible processes that are extremely dangerous for the fetus.

HSV in pregnancy (type 1):

• If during the period of pregnancy planning a woman does not have protective antibodies to herpes in her blood test, pregnancy is undesirable.

• Even if a woman has antibodies to type 1 herpes in her blood, then they do not prevent infection with type 2 herpes.

• Infection penetrates the placenta and affects the fetal nervous tissue.

• If infection with herpes occurred in the first half of pregnancy, the likelihood of fetal malformation, both compatible and incompatible with life, increases.

• If the virus has entered the body at the latest time, then the infection of the child will occur during childbirth, through the passage through the birth canal.

Herpes simplex virus type 2:

• increases the risk of miscarriage;

• causes uterine water retention;

• increases the risk of miscarriage.

Complications of herpes simplex virus in pregnancy

• Frozen pregnancy.

• Spontaneous miscarriage.

• Premature birth.

• Stillbirth.

• A future child may develop heart disease.

• leads to the development of congenital malformations in the fetus.

• Congenital viral pneumonia.

• HSV in a newborn baby can provoke epilepsy.

• The infant develops cerebral palsy.

• The child may also experience deafness and blindness.

It is important to note that HSV during pregnancy should be treated at any time. The earlier treatment is started, the less harm the virus will inflict on the future child.

When should I diagnose antibodies to herpes?

• When small bubbles appear on the mucous membranes or skin.

• In case of HIV infection or immunodeficiency of unclear origin.

• If there is burning, swelling and a characteristic rash in the genital area.

• When preparing for pregnancy, it is necessary to take an analysis to both partners.

• In the presence of intrauterine infection of a child or fetoplacental insufficiency, etc.

Diagnosis of HSV

Diagnosis of the virus consists in the detection of antibodies to HSV 1 and 2 types - LgG and LgM. For the study, it is necessary to pass venous or capillary blood. According to statistics, most people around the world have antibodies to HSV. But the study of the antibody titer for a certain period of time gives much more information about the presence of herpetic infection in the body.

Antibodies LgM to the herpes virus persist in the blood approximately 1-2 months, and antibodies LgG - all life. Thus, LgM antibodies are indicators of primary infection. If the LgM titers were not overestimated at the time of the assay, but the LgG antibodies are high, this indicates a chronic form of the course of herpetic infection in the body. LgM markers only increase during an exacerbation of the disease.

The presence of LgG antibodies in the blood indicates that the person is a virus of the HSV.

HSV: treatment

Herpes therapy has some features:

• Complete destruction of the virus is impossible.

• There are no drugs that can be used prophylactically for infection.

• HSV 1 and 2 types are not sensitive to antibacterial agents.

• With a short-term type 1 virus, drug therapy does not make sense.

To date, the only means of direct action on the herpes virus is the drug "Acyclovir". The product is available in the form of tablets, ointments and solutions. Its use in accordance with the instructions reduces the duration of the disease and reduces the number of relapses. Treatment of type 2 virus, in addition to the prescription of the drug "Acyclovir", may include immunocorrectors and physiological solutions that reduce the concentration of the virus in the blood.

Complications of HSV

• Type 2 virus plays an important role in the development of tumoral tumors, such as cervical cancer and prostate cancer.

• HSV 1 and type 2 have a very negative effect on the course of pregnancy and childbirth. The risk of developing fetal malformations, compatible and incompatible with life, spontaneous miscarriages, death of a newborn from generalized herpetic infection increases.

• HSV together with cytomegalovirus promotes the development of atherosclerosis.

• Herpes can activate the human immunodeficiency virus if it is in an inactive stage.

Herpetic infection is not a verdict. With timely diagnosis and proper treatment, the disease will not cause harm to health.