Most people have seen unpleasant pimples on their lips or on the lips of others, which get covered with crust after some time. Where does this disease come from and how to fight it?
Causes and symptoms
Oral herpes originates from the infection of the human herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-I). As a rule, people experience herpes for the first time in early childhood, getting infected from the sick person when kissing or using the same cutlery. It is also possible to infect relatives with airborne droplets when sneezing and coughing.
The most common form of infection caused by HSV-I is oral herpes, that is “a cold on the lips.” During the first attack of herpes in a child, not only the lips, but also the skin in the nasolabial triangle and the mucous membrane of the nose are affected. There can be herpetic stomatitis and herpetic tonsillitis as well.
Then the virus spreads via the nerves and permanently “settles” in the nerve ganglia. According to statistics, up to 90-95% of people are infected with the virus of herpes simplex type 1. But this infection manifests itself in different ways. Herpes is inactive in more than 80% of infected people and does not manifest any symptoms.
Frequent recurring herpes
However, in 17-20% of people the herpes virus periodically “wakes up” and begins to multiply actively. This process is called a relapse and is accompanied by the appearance of a rash on the face.
The most common factors that can trigger the recurrence of herpes include:
- cooling,
- a cold and other viral or bacterial infections,
- overwork,
- stress,
- injury,
- menstruation,
- “hard” diets, hypovitaminosis and malnutrition,
- excessive exposure to sunburn.
The virus can affect any part of the skin or mucous membranes of the body. But most often, its recurrence is targeted at the lips and nasal mucosa.
Is Oral Herpes Dangerous?
Some people have “a cold on the lips” occasionally, and it is mainly a cosmetic defect. However, for the people with reduced immunity the presence of the herpes virus in the body can become a serious problem. For example, the simple herpes virus can cause damage to the internal organs in patients with AIDS or cancer and the people who have undergone organ transplantation.
Prevention
First of all, the prevention of “a cold on the lips” includes strengthening immunity. It is advisable to have sufficient sleep and remember about cold training. In the period of acute respiratory infections and influenza epidemics, it is important to avoid staying in crowded places.
Those who often have herpes attacks are recommended to check their immunity and to undergo an examination, including the presence of other hidden infections.
If any ailments or malfunctions in the immune system are found, the doctor will recommend treatment. Please note that the use of antibiotics, antiviral drugs and immunomodulators can create a number of problems.
Oral Herpes Treatment
As of today, there are no medicines that would completely destroy the herpes virus in the human body. However, there is a group of special antiviral agents that effectively suppress the reproduction of HSV-I.
Relapses of herpes, affecting the lips or nasal mucosa, react well enough to the local treatment with cream or ointment. In more severe cases, the doctor can prescribe pills.
If an antiviral cream is used when there is rash, healing begins more quickly than with the treatment in other ways.
It must be remembered that the early start of treatment is the key to success. Before the pimples appear, the lips become very sensitive, one feels itching and tingling. If the disease begins to be treated at the stage of these precursors, the rash may not appear, and the recovery will occur in the shortest possible time.
Instructions
It must be remembered that when herpes rash appears, the patients become highly contagious not only for the surrounding people but also for themselves. For example, the virus from the infection source on the lips can be brought to the eyes or to the genitals with dirty hands.
Therefore, it is important to stick to the following rules.
- Do not touch the lips affected by a rash. If you touch them, wash your hands thoroughly.
- Use a personal towel and dishes.
- If you have oral herpes, do not squeeze out the pimples and tear off the crusts. This can cause additional infection of the skin.
- Avoid kissing and oral-genital contacts.
- If you use contact lenses, do not moisten them with saliva.
- Use cosmetic sticks rather than your fingers to apply antiviral cream on the lips.
