Why not apply the medicine to the lips, hands, how many people on earth are infected with herpes simplex virus and what is the connection between cosmetics and blooming “rose” lip – says the therapist of clinic “Dawn” Anna Rameau.
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“Cold” on lips – what is it really?
Labially herpes, or “cold” on lips – in most cases this is a manifestation of the “awakened” virus infection meeting which quietly happened earlier. Primary infection often occurs in childhood or adolescence, asymptomatic, causing only the production of specific antibodies, which persist in the blood for life.
But there is a vivid picture of gingivostomatitis: the appearance on the oral mucosa transparent vesicles and painful ulcers on the background of inflammation with fever and intoxication. Similar symptoms occur after 2-20 days after meeting with the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and can persist for up to two weeks. After that the virus through the nerves leaving the scene of their original implementation, and for life persists in the nerve nodes – ganglia.
Causes reactivation of the virus can become excessive ultraviolet radiation (from the heart to the sun – not the most useful exercise on many parameters), a significant decrease of immunity against serious diseases, emotional stress or medication that reduces the immune system.
Injury, including those involving damage to nerves and ganglia, as well as hormonal changes, for example, during menstruation in women also risk factors of recurrence of herpes.
Is it possible to get infected from a man whose lip had herpes?
If you consider yourself healthy and has never been observed in their labeling herpes, but your loved one is suffering from this problem and the communication with him during illness gives you the psychological discomfort, it makes sense to test your blood for the presence of IgG antibodies to HSV-1. If they are positive, re-infection does not threaten you, and when you see the problems in themselves blame the Solarium or recent surgery, but not a bale “neighbor in the bedroom.”
If the antibodies in your body not, to look for trouble is not worth it. HSV-1 is spread from person to person through close contact, the contact of skin and mucous membranes with infected saliva. Therefore, the period of active infection, refrain from kissing, use separate dishes and Cutlery, wash your hands often. Toothbrush, razor, face towel, pillow case and cosmetics in General should always be individual.
You, of course, remembered in this connection about the testers in the shops of cosmetics and perfumes. Right, to use them without being infected, risky is one of the ways of transmission.
How widespread is this infection?
In 2012, according to the world health organization, the number of infected with HSV-1 was about 3.7 billion people under the age of 50 years, or 67% of the world population.
The prevalence of infection was highest in Africa (87%) and lowest in the Americas (40-50%). In Russia large-scale epidemiological study was conducted from 1994 to 2005 and included 1014 inhabitants of Siberia aged 25-64 years (of 47.4% male and 52.6% female). The infection of HSV-1 was almost without exception and 99.4%.
By analyzing these data, it becomes clear that HSV-1 is widely distributed, but “a rose in the mouth” we meet not so often. The job of a healthy immune system is obvious, therefore, forces must be directed, primarily, to maintain its health.
A full regular diet with adequate amount of protein, continuous night’s sleep at least six hours, physical activity, careful communication with the sun, fresh air and positive emotions will always be useful.
Is it possible to treat a cold sore on the lip yourself or need to go to the doctor?
Usually flowering this “rose” is preceded by unpleasant sensations – itching, tingling, burning, and sometimes redness of the area of the lips. If this happens not for the first time, people will regard them as the signs of the coming herpes.
The early local application of creams with acyclovir or penciclovir (apply with a cotton swab every 2-4 hours for four days) helps roughly halve the stages of the disease.
If you’re late with the beginning of therapy or sore has caught you on the road and need a tube in the medicine Cabinet no, you can lubricate the affected area with any moisturizer. This will help to soften scabs and reduce soreness. Just don’t do it by hand: take care of our neighbors and use cotton pads or cotton swabs, and wash your hands thoroughly. This will protect yourself from accidental transfer of infection to the eye, as herpes keratitis is a serious disease that requires treatment from a specialist.
Remember:
• easy uncomplicated eruptions of herpes simplex require no treatment;
• systemic antiviral drugs with proven efficacy used for treatment of HSV-1 are acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir;
• they were appointed only by the doctor according to the testimony, because, like any serious medication, have contraindications and side effects;
• uncontrolled use of HSV-1 forms a resistance to the antiviral drug, and you risk being left with the virus one-on-one at the most inopportune moment.
When you need to immediately consult a doctor:
• defeat so extensive and painful that prevents you from eating or drinking;
• the term of your pregnancy 38-41 week (high risk of infection of the newborn);
• you suffer from cancer and/or chemotherapy;
• have HIV infection;
• have transplanted organs;
• similar to herpes rash appeared on the mucous membranes or the skin of a child under the age of 6 weeks.
The last four points define the category of people who have a high risk of developing serious complications of herpes. Therefore, it requires careful medical supervision and therapeutic intervention.
Routinely doctor should be visited if recurrences of herpes have become frequent and/or there is a new localization of lesions.
Remember, not all bubbles – the herpes! Should show them to the doctor.
And don’t forget on the way home to grab a bouquet of fresh flowers: good mood helps to solve many problems, regardless of the time of year!