Herpes in children: treatment, symptoms. How to treat herpes on the body of a child

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Herpes in children: treatment, symptoms. How to treat herpes on the body of a child
Herpes in children: treatment, symptoms. How to treat herpes on the body of a child
Anonim

Herpes is an acute viral disease that is in almost any organism in a latent state. Sometimes, for some reason, it can aggravate. Carriers of the virus - more than 90% of the world's population. It is polytropic and can affect any organ in the human body. Now 8 varieties of herpes are known.

Who can get sick

Herpes affects both adults and children. Infection occurs most often from already ill in the family. In children, primary herpes is mainly manifested, but in the first years of life, babies get sick a little, as they have good immunity, which they get from their mother. The danger of herpes exacerbation may arise closer to 4 years, but by the age of 5, the child already produces antibodies.

Types of herpes

The most famous is simple, which is divided into two subtypes. At the first herpes on the child's body appears on the lip, the second is considered genital and causes diseases of the genital organs, sometimes affects the nervous system.

There are 8 known types of this virus. Among which 3 have not been studied so far, but they are all similar in structure and features. Herpes on a child's body can be classified as chickenpox or cytomegalovirus - this is how the first two types appear.

herpes in children treatment
herpes in children treatment

Viruses 3-7 types

The third type, when first manifested, causes simple chickenpox, and when secondary infection causes shingles. The fourth, fifth and sixth often cause infectious mononucleosis. They are considered acute infectious diseases characterized by the following symptoms:

  • febrile condition;
  • angina;
  • enlarged lymph nodes, spleen and liver;
  • lymphocytosis;
  • Atypical peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

The sixth type causes roseola (mottled papular rashes) in children. They mostly appear in children under two years of age. The development of fever begins and the temperature rises, which decreases within a week. After that, small rashes appear on the skin, which turn pale when pressed. Herpes on the body of a child in the form of a rash spreads mainly to the trunk, neck, face and limbs.

The most common in the sixth type is cytomegalovirus, which babies are infected with in early childhood. This usually happens in kindergarten or nursery. The virus is transmitted through direct contact with an infected person. Children can also be infected in utero. Saliva, blood and urine are the environment in which herpes lives. Cytomegalovirus usually has no symptoms in he althy people or they are minor and disappear quickly.

herpes on the body of a child
herpes on the body of a child

Herpes 6 and 7 types at the first infection in newborns causes exanthema. But only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis.

Diagnosis

It is established using the general clinical picture and the study of smears, scrapings and prints from virus-affected areas. For detection, 12-day-old chicken embryos, infected cell cultures and experimental animals are used. Virus identification is carried out using electron and light microscopy.

Proof of the existence of a virus is the detection of its antigens in body cells and biological fluids. Antigens are determined by immunofluorescence methods with monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies. Or by means of the analysis IFA. A new modern method for detecting herpes - PRC (polymerase chain reaction).

Herpes simplex

Primary herpes occurs after contact with the virus. It usually manifests itself in childhood and has intense clinical symptoms. The incubation period is several days, up to two weeks. Bubbles in the inflamed area characterize the virus. Most often, a child has herpes on the lip and nose.

It is very difficult in newly born children, when, due to hematogenous dissemination, not only internal organs, but also the nervous system can be affected. Therefore, the treatment of herpes simplex in children must begin immediately after the diagnosis.

Primary stage

At the first infection, acute herpetic stomatitis is possible. The incubation period is from one to eight days. Herpes in children has the following symptoms: chills begin, the temperature rises, headache, drowsiness and general malaise occur. Groups of bubbles appear in the mouth, on the lips, tongue, sometimes on the palate and tonsils. They burst and form painful erosions. Lymph nodes enlarge and become painful. With weak children's immunity, the liver, spleen and other organs can be affected. In 25% of cases, the disease can even lead to death if not properly treated.

herpes in children symptoms
herpes in children symptoms

Exacerbations of herpes simplex

Recurrent herpes is distinguished by a lower intensity and duration of manifestations. Exacerbations occur one to three times a year. It can go on for several years, even decades. Sometimes it takes on a chronic character, when the first rashes have not yet passed, and new ones are already beginning. Usually they appear at the place where the virus has invaded, or on the mucous membrane. Usually in a child, herpes on the lip causes burning, itching and tingling.

After the appearance of the bubbles, their contents become cloudy. A rash is formed in single foci. Bubbles "nesting" in groups, then burst, forming a painful erosion with a reddish soft bottom and a moist surface. And most often the rash appears on the face, genitals, buttocks, thighs, fingers and in the sacrum. If secondary infection occurs, the wound begins to fester, turning into an ulcer. At the site of erosion, then often reddish-brown spots remain, which disappear very slowly. This is how herpes manifests itself in children. It must be treated before the onset of exacerbations.

herpes in children than to treat
herpes in children than to treat

Genital herpes

Infection comes mainly through sexual contact. Infection occurs directly through contact with a carrier or a sick person. Transmission can occur from a person without symptoms. Genital herpes lesions may be absent and not visible in any way. This is more common in herpes simplex.

You can also get sick through orogenital contact. Or through the use of other people's hygiene products. Basically, up to 30% of the infection occurs due to herpes simplex of the first type, and its relapses occur already due to the infection caused by the second type.

Very high risk of infection of the child from an infected mother, if she fell ill before birth. If this happened in the first half of pregnancy, then the likelihood of infection of the baby will be low. If the mother falls ill at the end of the gestation period, then the danger to the child increases. In some cases, viruses can cause fetal death. That is why spontaneous abortions occur (up to 30% for this reason) and late miscarriages (over 50%).

Genital herpes in children has the following symptoms: small relapses up to 7 days, vesicles, sores and erosion. Their appearance is accompanied by burning, itching and pain in the genitals. In multifocal disease, the urethra and genitals, anogenital areas and rectum are affected.

There is fever, swollen lymph nodes, and in one third of cases, herpetic urethritis. It may start suddenly. There is a slight tingling and burning sensation during urination. Urethritis resolves within two weeks, and relapses may take several years.

herpes simplex treatment in children
herpes simplex treatment in children

Genital herpes in children: treatment of the disease

Treatment is based on available evidence and disease severity. The most commonly used drug is Acyclovir. Another name for this drug is Zovirax. Application can be local and internal. But in any case, the drug is very effective in fighting the disease.

Herpes zoster

This disease is considered a viral disease that causes skin lesions in the form of rashes. Characterizes his intense pain syndrome. The causative agent is chickenpox or the Zoster virus. If herpes zoster is found in children, treatment should begin as early as infancy. It is at this age that the infection is most likely. The disease in babies manifests itself as chickenpox, then it simply passes into a sleeping form. Children remain its bearers for life. But the virus does not manifest itself in any way with strong immunity.

It manifests itself in the form of blisters on the skin. Accompanied by pain and severe itching. It differs from herpes simplex in a wider area of damage and the intensity of pain. The reasons for it may lie in a weak immune system. Relapses often occur. But children who receive the vaccine are at almost no risk of contracting the disease, unlike those who have had chickenpox. The latter are more likely.

Symptoms of the disease: slight fever, headache, chills and general malaise. Subsequently, pain and itching in the nerve fibers may occur. Children have different levels of intensity. Duration no more than 5 days. In the acute form, the disease can last up to three weeks. If there are complications, then even more than a month.

When diagnosed with "shingles" in children, the treatment is as follows: the drugs "Famciclovir", "Valacyclovir" and "Acyclovir" are mainly used. Thanks to these drugs, the reproduction of viral particles is stopped. The last of the above is more often used, since the first two drugs have not yet been fully studied. The duration of treatment is about two weeks, but it depends on the severity of the disease. Also used are painkillers, analgesics and corticosteroid drugs that relieve pain, inflammation and itching.

herpes in children photo treatment
herpes in children photo treatment

In case of herpes in children, treatment should be accompanied by absolute dryness of the body. Bathing them is not allowed, since the rashes that appear cannot be steamed. Calamine compresses are used to relieve itching. The injured area should be as exposed as possible and have as little contact with clothing as possible.

Causes of herpes in babies

First of all, this is infection during childbirth or the penetration of the virus through the placenta (intrauterine development). A newborn can also become infected after contact with family members and medical staff. The herpes simplex virus is transmitted very easily: through kisses, airborne droplets, through towels, dishes and linen. Most often it is "picked up" before the age of two. The main reasons are:

  • poor immunity;
  • malnutrition;
  • avitaminosis;
  • stress;
  • colds;
  • hypothermia.

Symptoms of the manifestation of the disease in babies

If there is herpes in children, there is a different treatment for different types. Since a cold infection begins with a slight tingling and itching on the tongue and lips, redness and pain in the area where the infection develops. Then inflammation begins, bubbles appear with a clear liquid. They grow and break. The released fluid contains many viral particles.

herpes virus treatment in children
herpes virus treatment in children

In place of burst bubbles, an ulcer forms, which begins to hurt and itch. After that, a scab forms on it. After 3 days the temperature drops. But with relapses, blisters appear again in the same places. With low immunity, a headache, loss of appetite, weakness, high fever appear.

In the second type of herpes simplex, if intrauterine infection has occurred, then the first symptoms can be seen already two days after birth: fever and rash all over the body. In this case, heart disease, diseases of the nervous system, liver and pancreas are often detected. After a few days, jaundice may begin. The genitals are covered with ulcers and rashes. If you do not start immediate treatment, then there are convulsions, diathesis, the baby refuses to eat. After that, pneumonia develops and death is possible.

Treatment of children

Herpes in children than to treat? For this, antiviral drugs, interferons and immunostimulants are used. It is necessary to start treatment at the first signs, so that later there are no complications. Pediatric treatment is aimed at minimizing symptoms and suppressing viral activity. For this, tablets and ointments are used that relieve pain and itching. You need to drink plenty of fluids. At high temperatures, antipyretics are used. Herpes in children treatment (photo can be seen in this article) is long.

Immunostimulating drugs help the child's body cope with the virus on its own and do not allow it to infect all new areas and internal organs. If there is a herpes virus, treatment in children includes interferons - help in the destruction of the virus and prevent its reproduction. Used as tablets or as suppositories (introduced into the anus).

Herpes Prevention

To avoid illness, you must observe personal hygiene and in no case use other people's things. Avoid contact with sick people. In order to strengthen the child's immune system, you need:

  • autumn vitamin therapy;
  • proper nutrition;
  • Using immune system boosting drugs during wintertime.

Herpes on a child's nose can be treated with an ointment that is placed in the nose once or twice daily. It usually goes away within 2-3 days. If the ointment is not used, then the herpes in the nose can disturb the child for a week. Of course, most of the cases of herpes that occur are considered safe. However, it is wiser to take all possible measures for the speedy recovery of the child so that a relapse does not develop.

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