Specialist in Adana for herpes disease and its treatment. Dr. You can make an appointment with Pınar Bozkurt dermatology clinic.
Herpes (herpes simplex infection); It is a viral infection that can develop in any part of the body and progresses with the formation of water-filled blisters and then crusted wounds. There are 2 types of herpes simplex virus. Type 1 often causes disease around the mouth and face; Type 2 causes disease in the genital area. The first attack occurs when the agent first enters the body, then the virus settles in the nerve roots and remains silent and makes repetitive attacks when the appropriate environment is created. Symptoms of the first attack appear within 3 weeks after contact with the infected person. In this condition, which is mostly seen in children, symptoms such as widespread painful sores in the mouth, fever and restlessness are observed. Recurrent attacks have a milder course.
It most commonly occurs on the lips, around the mouth, nose and chin. Conditions that reduce body resistance such as stress, excitement, fear, trauma, fatigue, insomnia, excessive sun exposure, ultraviolet rays, influenza and similar feverish diseases, and immune system suppression such as AIDS, cancer and organ transplantation are among the triggering factors. The disease is contagious.
Depending on the severity of the disease, creams or systemic drugs are used in the treatment. It is important to start the treatment within the first 1-2 days of the onset of the disease. In recurrent attacks, suppression therapy can be applied for 6 months to 1 year.
Herpes is one of the most common infections in both adults and children.
Studies show that approximately 60% of people have had herpes at some point in their lives.
Why does herpes occur?
The viruses that cause cold sores are called herpes simplex. Herpes viruses; There are 2 types, HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1; usually on the lips, and HSV-2 in the genital area. Both types of viruses can cause a skin rash.
Herpes viruses are contagious and transmitted by contact. Herpes simplex virus, which is transmitted to a person once, can remain in the body without symptoms, or it can occur with recurrent infections in the future.
HSV-2 infection can cause serious illness in the newborn. For this reason, it is very important for those with herpes virus not to approach babies.
With blows, infection, menstrual period, stress, fatigue, weakening of the immune system, the herpes virus can become active again and the disease can be triggered.
In which parts of the body can herpes occur?
Lesions (herpes lesions) caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) are typically; It is in the form of grouped vesicles (water-filled bubbles) on an erythematous (reddened) and edematous (swollen) ground.
Herpes can occur anywhere on the skin and mucous membranes. But most of all; It is observed in the mouth, lips, nose, ears, conjunctiva (a thin and transparent membrane covering the inside of the eyelids and the white part of the eyes), cornea (one of the parts of the eye), and genital area.
Who gets herpes?
Herpes virus can be observed in women, men, adults and children.
In most of the patients, symptoms such as burning, stinging and itching appear about 6 hours ago. These symptoms are followed by the formation of water-filled blisters (vesicles) on the background of redness and swelling.
Pale; It can be more severe and widespread in people with suppressed immune system (such as cancer patients).
How is herpes diagnosed?
It is possible to diagnose herpes by examining a small sample taken from the base of the newly formed vesicle (water-filled bubble) under the microscope.
It is also possible to detect "antibodies against the herpes simplex virus" in the blood. However, these values in the blood only show whether the person has encountered the herpes simplex virus before.
The "Tzanck test" is also one of the diagnostic tests.
How is herpes treated?
Herpes treatment; It is provided by the elimination of the factors that trigger the emergence of herpes (such as strengthening the immune system, protection from the sun) and the use of drugs.
Drugs used for the treatment of herpes; It can be applied locally, taken orally and injected. They can sometimes be used alone or in combination for treatment.
Herpes in the genital area can increase the risk of HPV (human papilloma virus), which causes cervical cancer, and HIV virus, which causes AIDS. Therefore, herpes in the genital area must be treated.
In the treatment of genital herpes, it can also be successfully treated with strong antiviral drugs taken orally and the use of local/applied drugs that allow the lesions to heal quickly.
