How is herpes simplex virus diagnosed. What are the most effective treatments for genital herpes. Can HSV-1 and HSV-2 be cured completely. What lifestyle changes can help manage herpes symptoms. How can transmission of herpes be prevented.

Understanding Herpes Simplex Virus: Types, Symptoms, and Transmission

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common viral infection that affects millions of people worldwide. There are two main types of HSV: HSV-1 and HSV-2. While HSV-1 is typically associated with oral herpes (cold sores), and HSV-2 with genital herpes, both types can infect either area.

HSV is characterized by periodic outbreaks of sores or blisters on the skin or mucous membranes. The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with these lesions, but also during periods of asymptomatic shedding when no visible symptoms are present.

Key Differences Between HSV-1 and HSV-2

• HSV-1: Primarily oral, but can cause genital herpes
• HSV-2: Primarily genital, but can cause oral herpes
• Transmission: Both can spread through skin-to-skin contact
• Recurrence: HSV-2 tends to have more frequent outbreaks

Is herpes always symptomatic? No, many people with HSV are asymptomatic or have such mild symptoms that they go unnoticed. However, even without visible signs, the virus can still be transmitted to sexual partners.

Diagnosis of Herpes Simplex Virus: Methods and Accuracy

Accurate diagnosis of HSV is crucial for proper treatment and management. Healthcare providers use various methods to diagnose herpes, each with its own advantages and limitations.

Common Diagnostic Methods for HSV

1. Visual Examination: A healthcare provider may be able to diagnose herpes based on the appearance of lesions.
2. Viral Culture: A sample is taken from a sore and tested for the presence of the virus.
3. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Test: Detects HSV DNA in a sample.
4. Blood Tests: Check for HSV antibodies to determine if a person has been infected.

Which test is most accurate for diagnosing herpes? PCR tests are generally considered the most sensitive and specific for detecting HSV. However, the choice of test may depend on various factors, including the presence of active lesions and the stage of infection.

Treatment Options for Genital Herpes: Antiviral Medications and Their Efficacy

While there is no cure for herpes, antiviral medications can help manage symptoms, reduce the frequency of outbreaks, and lower the risk of transmission. The most commonly prescribed antiviral drugs for herpes include:

• Acyclovir (Zovirax)
• Valacyclovir (Valtrex)
• Famciclovir (Famvir)

These medications can be used in different ways:

Treatment Approaches for Herpes

1. Episodic Therapy: Taking medication at the first sign of an outbreak to shorten its duration.
2. Suppressive Therapy: Daily medication to reduce the frequency of outbreaks and asymptomatic shedding.
3. Combination Therapy: Using antiviral drugs along with other treatments for enhanced efficacy.

How effective are antiviral medications in treating herpes? Studies have shown that antiviral drugs can reduce the duration of outbreaks by several days and significantly decrease the frequency of recurrences when used for suppressive therapy. They can also reduce viral shedding, lowering the risk of transmission to sexual partners.

Managing Herpes Symptoms: Pain Relief and Wound Care

In addition to antiviral medications, various strategies can help alleviate the discomfort associated with herpes outbreaks:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen, ibuprofen)
• Topical anesthetics for localized pain relief
• Cool compresses to soothe affected areas
• Loose-fitting clothing to minimize friction
• Salt baths or sitz baths for genital herpes

Proper wound care is essential to prevent secondary bacterial infections and promote healing. This includes keeping the affected area clean and dry, avoiding touching or scratching lesions, and using mild soap when washing.

Can natural remedies help with herpes symptoms? While some people report relief from natural remedies such as aloe vera, tea tree oil, or lemon balm, scientific evidence for their efficacy is limited. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before using any alternative treatments.

Preventing Herpes Transmission: Safe Sex Practices and Vaccination

Preventing the spread of herpes is crucial for both infected individuals and their partners. Key strategies include:

• Consistent condom use during sexual activity
• Avoiding sexual contact during outbreaks
• Disclosing HSV status to sexual partners
• Considering suppressive antiviral therapy to reduce asymptomatic shedding

Is there a vaccine available for herpes? Currently, there is no approved vaccine for HSV-1 or HSV-2. However, research is ongoing, and several vaccine candidates are in various stages of clinical trials. The development of an effective herpes vaccine could significantly impact the prevention and management of this widespread infection.

Living with Herpes: Psychological Impact and Support

A herpes diagnosis can have significant psychological effects, including feelings of shame, anxiety, and depression. It’s important to address these emotional aspects of living with herpes:

Coping Strategies for Individuals with Herpes

• Educating oneself about the condition
• Joining support groups or online communities
• Seeking counseling or therapy if needed
• Practicing stress-reduction techniques
• Maintaining open communication with partners

How can someone disclose their herpes status to a new partner? Honesty and education are key. Choose a private, calm setting for the conversation. Provide accurate information about herpes, including transmission risks and management strategies. Be prepared to answer questions and give your partner time to process the information.

Herpes and Pregnancy: Risks and Precautions

Herpes can pose risks during pregnancy, particularly if a woman contracts the virus for the first time near delivery. The main concern is neonatal herpes, which can be serious for newborns.

Managing Herpes During Pregnancy

1. Inform healthcare providers about HSV status
2. Consider suppressive antiviral therapy in the third trimester
3. Discuss delivery options with the obstetrician
4. Monitor for outbreaks or prodromal symptoms near delivery

Can antiviral medications be safely used during pregnancy? Yes, antiviral drugs like acyclovir are generally considered safe during pregnancy. However, the decision to use these medications should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider, weighing the potential benefits against any risks.

Future Directions in Herpes Research: Potential Cures and New Treatments

While current treatments for herpes focus on symptom management and outbreak suppression, researchers are actively pursuing more definitive solutions. Some promising areas of research include:

• Gene editing techniques to eliminate latent virus
• Novel antiviral compounds targeting different stages of the viral lifecycle
• Immunotherapies to boost the body’s natural defenses against HSV
• Therapeutic vaccines to control existing infections

Is a cure for herpes on the horizon? While several potential cures are in development, it’s difficult to predict when or if a complete cure will be available. However, advances in understanding the virus and new therapeutic approaches offer hope for improved treatments in the future.

In conclusion, while herpes simplex virus remains a challenging condition to manage, current treatments can effectively control symptoms and reduce transmission risks. Ongoing research continues to explore new avenues for treatment and prevention, offering hope for improved outcomes for those affected by HSV.

Herpes simplex: Diagnosis and treatment

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Herpes Simplex (HSV-1 & HSV-2) Virus: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

• What Causes Herpes Infections and Outbreaks?
• What Are the Symptoms of Herpes Simplex?
• How Is Herpes Simplex Diagnosed?
• How Is Herpes Simplex Treated?
• How Painful Is Herpes Simplex?
• Can Herpes Be Cured?
• More

 

Herpes simplex viruses — more commonly known as herpes — are categorized into two types: herpes type 1 (HSV-1, or oral herpes) and herpes type 2 (HSV-2, or genital herpes). Most commonly, herpes type 1 causes sores around the mouth and lips (sometimes called fever blisters or cold sores). HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but most cases of genital herpes are caused by herpes type 2. In HSV-2, the infected person may have sores around the genitals or rectum. Although HSV-2 sores may occur in other locations, these sores usually are found below the waist.

Herpes simplex type 1, which is transmitted through oral secretions or sores on the skin, can be spread through kissing or sharing objects such as toothbrushes or eating utensils. In general, a person can only get herpes type 2 infection during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. It is important to know that both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be spread even if sores are not present.

Pregnant women with genital herpes should talk to their doctor, as genital herpes can be passed on to the baby during childbirth.

For many people with the herpes virus, which can go through periods of being dormant, attacks (or outbreaks) can be brought on by the following conditions:

• General illness (from mild illnesses to serious conditions)
• Fatigue
• Physical or emotional stress
• Immunosuppression due to AIDS or such medications as chemotherapy or steroids
• Trauma to the affected area, including sexual activity
• Menstruation

Symptoms of herpes simplex virus typically appear as a blister or as multiple blisters on or around affected areas — usually the mouth, genitals, or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender sores.

Often, the appearance of herpes simplex virus is typical and no testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis. If a health care provider is uncertain, herpes simplex can be diagnosed with lab tests, including DNA — or PCR — tests and virus cultures.

Although there is no cure for herpes, treatments can relieve the symptoms. Medication can decrease the pain related to an outbreak and can shorten healing time. They can also decrease the total number of outbreaks. Drugs including Famvir, Zovirax, and Valtrex are among the drugs used to treat the symptoms of herpes. Warm baths may relieve the pain associated with genital sores.

Some people experience very mild genital herpes symptoms or no symptoms at all. Frequently, people infected with the virus don’t even know they have it. However, when it causes symptoms, it can be described as extremely painful. This is especially true for the first outbreak, which is often the worst. Outbreaks are described as aches or pains in or around the genital area or burning, pain, or difficulty urinating. Some people experience discharge from the vagina or penis.

Oral herpes lesions (cold sores) usually cause tingling and burning just prior to the breakout of the blisters. The blisters themselves can also be painful.

There is no cure for herpes simplex. Once a person has the virus, it remains in the body. The virus lies inactive in the nerve cells until something triggers it to become active again.

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Herpes simplex – symptoms and diagnosis, prices for the treatment of herpes simplex in Moscow at the Hadassah clinic

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Herpes simplex (herpes virus type 1,2) is an infectious disease that manifests itself mainly in the appearance of blisters on the skin or mucous membranes. Symptoms occur mainly in the lips, eyelids or genitals. Herpes affects more women than men. Herpes simplex type 1 is the main cause of

blisters characteristic of this disease in the lips. Herpes simplex type 2 blisters appear mainly in the genital area. The disease of herpes simplex most often does not lead to death. It can be life-threatening for infants (if the virus enters the brain and causes encephalitis) and for patients with weakened immune systems.

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Symptoms of a herpes infection

HSV-1 manifests itself as transparent and fluid-filled blisters. Herpes simplex virus type 1 rarely causes pimples on the genitals – mostly on the face. When initially infected with the virus, acne appears only in about 10% of patients 2-20 days after contact with an infectious person. There may be several wounds or one. Before the appearance of acne, there are such precursors as itching and burning of the skin.

A pimple may burst when struck or scratched and release fluid. After the wound heals, a crust remains on it, which dries up and leaves. The duration until recovery is about 10 days. At the end of the recovery, the skin usually recovers completely.

Even after the initial wound has healed, the virus remains in the body. It penetrates the nerve cells and remains in them in an inactive state until the right conditions arise. Any “awakening” can cause bubbles to appear in or near the same spot.

Primary infection with herpes simplex virus type 2 usually manifests as blisters on the surface of the genitals, buttocks, or cervix 2-20 days after exposure to a carrier of the virus. Herpes simplex virus type 2 can cause symptoms to appear elsewhere, but it usually attacks below the waist. A second outbreak of the virus can cause the symptoms of a herpes infection, such as itching, painful pimples, fever, muscle pain, and burning when urinating.

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Causes of herpes simplex

The herpes virus is transmitted by direct contact of infected skin with the skin of a healthy person, in the mouth or genital area. The penetration of the virus is possible only through a skin defect (wound or scratch), mainly in the area of ​​the penis and vulva, rectum and cervix.

In most cases, herpes simplex type 1 infection occurs in childhood through close contact with peers or family members who are carriers of the virus. The infection can be transmitted with a kiss, through ordinary cutlery or lipstick.

Herpes type 2 infection usually occurs through sexual contact with a carrier of the virus. The virus is present in 20% of sexually active people. As far as we know, this form of infectious disease (genital herpes type 2) cannot be contracted through contact with objects such as a toilet seat, toilet paper or towel. This is because the herpes virus is very sensitive to environmental conditions and does not survive outside the body.

Among the predisposing factors activating the “dormant” virus in the body, it should be noted:

• colds;
• fever;
• prolonged sun exposure;
• menstrual cycle;
• severe emotional stress;
• injury to the skin or mucosa.

With both types of herpes simplex, the recurrence rate can vary. Pimples can spread to different parts of the body due to constant scratching.

Methods for diagnosing herpes virus 1.2 type

Herpes is relatively easy to diagnose. Usually, the diagnosis of herpes type 1.2 is necessary for patients suffering from impaired immune function, those undergoing chemotherapy and patients with AIDS. The following diagnostic measures are recommended:

Laboratory tests

include microscopic and other tests of blood or fluid from the pimple to detect antibodies against the virus; some tests are valid only in the initial stages of the disease

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Treatments for herpes simplex

Existing technologies do not allow to clear the hereditary material of the virus from the DNA of nerve cells, and the displacement of the ganglia will cause much more acute side effects (for example, paralysis of the lips). That is why today the disease is incurable.

Treatment for herpes simplex is directed at controlling the symptoms and preventing complications. Antiviral drugs used to treat rashes are prescribed (Acyclovir, Gerpevir, etc.)

After stopping the acute process, a herpes vaccine is recommended, which allows achieving a stable remission. Among the physiotherapeutic methods of treatment, infrared and UV radiation, OCU therapy and laser therapy should be distinguished.

Treatment of herpes simplex in the Hadassah clinic

For the treatment of herpes types 1 and 2, please contact the Hadassah clinic in Moscow. We have doctors with extensive practical experience, we have modern equipment that simplifies the diagnosis.

Text checked by an expert doctor

Shilov
Dmitry Yurievich

Allergist-immunologist, Ph.D.

Work experience: 17 years

Published: 07/11/2023

The information provided on the site is for reference only and cannot serve as a basis for making a diagnosis or prescribing treatment. Internal consultation of the expert is necessary.

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Treatment of herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 in Kyiv – consultation price from 650 UAH

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) – is considered the most common disease among viral infections. According to unconfirmed reports, up to 90% of people from all over the planet are infected with HSV.

Prices for the treatment of herpes virus type 1 and 2

Appointment with a neurologist (consultation, examination)	650 ₴
Repeated appointment with a neurologist (consultation, examination)	550 ₴
General detailed blood test (22 analyzer parameters, ESR, leukocyte formula) – execution time 1 day.	200 ₴
PCR. Determination of DNA of the herpes virus (HSV 1.2) (scraping, quantitatively) – execution time 1 day.	300 ₴
PCR. Determination of DNA of the herpes virus (HSV 1 and HSV 2). Real-time detection and typing – execution time 1 day.	300 ₴
Antibodies of IgM to herpes virus type 1 HSV – execution time 3 days.	220 ₴
Antibodies of IgM to herpes virus type 2 HSV – execution time 3 days.	220 ₴
Avidity of IgG antibodies to herpes virus type 2 – execution time 5 days.	300 ₴
PCR. Determination of the DNA of the herpes virus type 6 (HSV type 6) (Blood, cerebrospinal fluid. Qualitative determination.) – execution time 3 days.	280 ₴
Antibodies Ig G to herpes virus type 6 HSV – execution time 4 days.	300 ₴
Complex “Herpes virus infection of antibodies Ig G” (VCA, CMV, HSV 1, HSV 2) – execution time 2 days.	800 ₴
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Herpes simplex virus (HSV) – is considered the most common disease among viral infections. According to unconfirmed reports, HSV infected up to 90% of people from all over the planet. Usually, the virus proceeds without pronounced symptomatology, since in the process of infection entering the body, a person begins to “create” antibodies that prevent the herpes virus from actively multiplying. Almost all adults have specific antibodies to the herpes simplex virus.

100% to identify the type of HSV, guided only by the affected area, is not possible. According to various sources, 10-30 percent of the inhabitants of different countries who were examined had various types of mixed viral lesions of HSV types 1 and 2. The reason for this is that the herpes virus is very common among oral and genital contacts, in which type 1 HSV can “move” from the lips of one person to the partner’s genitals, or, conversely, the virus from the genitals can move to the mucous membranes of the oral cavity.

Herpes type 1

Herpes infection type 1 is a pathology of an agent that provokes a rash on the skin, small blisters, also called “colds”. The causative agent Herpes belongs to the Herpesviridae family. Many of us have encountered this disease, it is quite common today and is the least dangerous of all types of herpes. HSV-1 can only be contracted from a sick person, in whose body the virus itself is present in a latent state, or from an already sick person. How is herpes infection type 1 transmitted? HSV-1 can be contracted as follows:

1. Direct contact between the healthy and the sick.
2. Airborne route.
3. Through personal care products.

To a child from the mother during gestation and delivery. The virus is transmitted through the placenta, penetrating the uterine organ, or directly through the contact of the integument of the child with the birth canal of the woman in labor.

The virus enters the body through the mucous membranes with overcoming protection. After that, it enters the nerve cells, where it begins to multiply rapidly, and its particles are introduced into human genes. During this period, immunity is activated, so HSV particles go into the nerve ganglia, saving themselves, and waiting for the moment when human immunity weakens.

At this time, the virus begins to multiply again, the symptoms of the disease appear, and the herpes infection becomes more active among people. In other words, there is a difference between a primary herpes infection, which develops when HSV enters the body for the first time, and a secondary one, in which the disease develops at the time of immune problems, and the persistent virus begins to multiply rapidly. So, in most cases, the disease is caused by the herpes virus that is already present in the human body.

The development of pathology often includes 4 stages, which are characterized by their own symptoms. Signs of type 1 herpes infection include the following negative manifestations:

1. The patient feels tingling. In the area on the body where HSV will develop in the near future, a pain syndrome appears, begins to pinch, tingle, severe itching and redness develop.
2. An inflammatory process begins when a small bubble appears that hurts. It is filled with a clear liquid and eventually begins to grow in size.
3. Sores appear when the shell of the vesicle is damaged, a liquid flows out of it, in which there are a large number of viral particles. At this time, the person is most contagious and an ulcer can be seen at the site of the bubble.
4. Scab formation develops.

During this period, a crust forms under the ulcer. If you break its surface, then blood will flow and pain will appear. Subsequently, the ulcer will pass without a trace. The rash on the skin completely disappears in one to two weeks. It is important to carry out symptomatic treatment, which will be prescribed by an experienced doctor. If left untreated, the manifestations will also pass, but this will drag on for a long time.

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Treatment of herpes simplex type 1

If the infection with the virus is primary, then it may be necessary to visit an infectious disease specialist, and with subsequent manifestations of a chronic infection, negative manifestations of the disease can be prevented by using medicines created on the basis of acyclovir.

If a person has time to smear the sore spot with ointment, when the pathology is only at the first stage, then it is possible to avoid the development of the following symptoms of the pathology. If the disease is difficult, then the doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs in tablet form. If a person often encounters a recurrence of a herpes infection, then you should think about strengthening the immune system.

After consulting a doctor, you can use various kinds of immunomodulators. But, any drug can be used only as prescribed by the attending infectious disease specialist.

Herpes simplex virus type 2

Herpes simplex type 2 infection is also very common. Moreover, the incidence caused by the HSV-2 virus is increasing year by year, and this seriously worries the World Health Organization (WHO), since HSV belongs to TORCH infections – pathologies that cause severe developmental anomalies in a child in the womb. HPV-2, unlike HPV-1, is usually transmitted sexually. Therefore, infection often occurs with the onset of sexual activity, usually adolescents get sick. Just like other types of HSV, the second type virus once entered the human body, remains there forever.

If a person’s immune system is all right, he may not even notice that an infection has occurred, and with a decrease in immunity, a relapse of the disease will occur. It is not uncommon for a primary herpetic infection to develop. This happens, as a rule, a few days after infection (the incubation period can last up to 21 days). HSV-2 is rarely diagnosed in children, they are more likely to be infected with HSV-1 with damage to the lips, oral mucosa and pharynx. However, infection of the baby with HSV-2 cannot be ruled out, especially if he sleeps in the same bed with an adult with HSV-2.

HSV-2 in a child can also occur when infected from a patient with labial herpes, if it is provoked not by HSV-1, but by HSV-2.

Symptoms of herpes type 2

Primary herpes infection caused by HSV type 2 is more severe and longer than subsequent relapses. The disease can begin with a slight increase in body temperature, general weakness, pain in the head. Against this background, red lesions appear on the mucous membranes and skin of the genital organs, as well as on the perineum and inner thighs, and swelling develops.

Within a few hours or days, the development of edema increases, and then rashes appear at the site of the lesion in the form of a group of small bubbles that can join together to form large bubbles. The bubbles burst pretty quickly, turning into erosions and ulcers that hurt a lot. On the skin, small ulcers are covered with crusts after a few days, after falling off, which usually do not leave any traces on the skin. But sometimes, dark or colorless spots may remain, which disappear after 2-3 weeks.

There are no crusts on the mucosa, but here, as a rule, no traces remain. The acute period lasts 14-21 days. Relapses of genital herpes usually occur within 12 months after infection, then they gradually become less frequent and prolonged. The relapse is not as severe as the primary herpes and lasts about a week and a half.

Why is genital herpes dangerous? If herpes recurs very often and is not treated, the infection can spread to the internal genital organs and provoke inflammation. Inflammation, in turn, can lead to sexual dysfunction in men / women. Primary herpes is especially dangerous, the prevalence of which is high for pregnant women. When HSV-2 enters the body of a woman in a position that does not have antibodies to this infectious agent, the herpes virus can infect a child, causing his death in the early stages and severe developmental anomalies at later stages.

Relapses of herpes in a woman who acquired the infection before conception, and she had time to develop immunity to HSV-2, are less dangerous – usually, immunity does not allow the virus to enter the fetus. However, one way or another, there is a danger of infection of the fetus during delivery during its passage through the birth canal. In this case, the infection in the baby is very difficult.

Treatment of herpes virus type 2

How to treat herpes infection type 2? Antiviral drugs are used to treat this pathology. In particular, it is important to prescribe adequate and timely therapy for primary herpes. Timely prescribed therapeutic measures can suppress the manifestation of the disease for a long time.

Genital herpes causes HSV-2, the therapy of this pathology is carried out mainly with the help of systemic antiviral drugs. The dosage and course of application of any antiviral medication is determined by the doctor on an individual basis. Immunomodulators of the general effect are also prescribed, mainly based on interferons.

Topical treatment is often prescribed in the complex – in the form of creams, ointments and gels with antiviral and immune-modulating effects. HSV-2 provokes a sexual infection, which can affect and cause severe consequences during the period of bearing a child.

Diagnosis of HSV types 1 and 2

Diagnosis of the virus consists in the determination of antibodies to HSV-1 and HSV-2 – LgG and LgM. For diagnosis, you need to pass a general and biochemical blood test. According to statistics, most people on the planet have antibodies to herpes. But the study of TITR antibodies, over a period of time, gives much more information about the presence of herpes in the human body.

LgM antibodies to HSV persist in the blood for approximately 30-60 days, while LgG antibodies last a lifetime. So LgM antibodies tell the doctor about the primary infection. If the LgM titers at the time of the test do not exceed the norm, but the LgG antibodies are elevated, this indicates a chronic form of herpes in the body.

LgM markers increase only during the acute phase of the pathology. The presence of LgG antibodies in the blood indicates that a person is a carrier of the virus.

Treatment of HSV types 1 and 2

The treatment of herpes has the following features:

1. It is impossible to completely kill the virus.