Herpes in a 2 year old child, treatment. Herpes virus in children: causes, symptoms and treatment

The specificity of herpes as a disease is that children become infected with it much more often than adults. The reason here is the widespread prevalence of the virus: even if the parents and immediate relatives do not have the disease, already at the age of two or three years the child will involuntarily encounter a carrier. And how many babies become infected from sick mothers during pregnancy or immediately after childbirth!

At the same time, it is impossible to overly protect a child with a normal immune system and state of health from infection by creating sterile conditions for him. The human body is able to develop lifelong immunity to almost all types of herpes, and as soon as a child experiences the disease once, he will be reliably protected for the rest of his life. It is only important that this first infection passes easily and without complications.

Types of herpes viruses that most often cause illness in children

Of the more than 200 types of herpes viruses, 6 types are the most common in humans. Children become infected with them just as easily as adults, and therefore, in many cases, suffer from the corresponding diseases at a younger age.

These viruses include:

herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2, which lead to the appearance of characteristic rashes in the form of transparent blisters in the place through which the infection occurred. Children most often transmit the virus through their mouths with unwashed hands, household items and some foods. Therefore, their symptoms are most often localized on the lips (in the form of a so-called cold on the lips);
Herpes virus type 3, called Varicella zoster in Latin. Causes chickenpox, which in people who have already had it in rare cases is replaced from time to time by recurrent herpes zoster;
Herpesvirus type 4, or Epstein-Barr virus, is the cause of infectious mononucleosis. According to statistics, by the age of 13, up to half of children are infected with this virus, the disease in whom occurs in a vague or asymptomatic form. A terrible consequence of infection with this virus is Burkitt's lymphoma, which affects children in the countries of equatorial Africa;
Herpes virus type 5, also called cytomegalovirus. Its peculiarity is that in most cases the infection is asymptomatic and there are no consequences of infection, which is why the vast majority of people - including children - are carriers of it;
Herpes virus type 6, very well known to pediatricians for causing sudden exanthema. It is very often confused with rubella, for which it received its second name - pseudorubella.

Despite the fact that all of these viruses are widespread in children, the first three types cause the most trouble. Not only are the diseases they cause characterized by vivid symptoms, but also those who become ill often experience various complications in the form of stomatitis, gingivitis, meningitis, encephalitis and other diseases.

Such complications most often appear after a primary infection, but relapses are usually much less dangerous. And primary infection with herpes usually causes complications only when the child’s immune system is weakened.

All herpetic infections have their own specific clinical manifestations and characteristics when infected with them, and therefore deserve a separate description. Below we will take a closer look at herpes simplex in children, caused by herpes simplex viruses types 1 and 2.

Characteristic symptoms of diseases

Symptoms caused by herpes infections in children are very similar to those in adults, but most often they are much more pronounced. Much here depends on the age at which the child became infected.

When a child is infected in the first days or even hours after birth, they usually talk about neonatal herpes, which is characterized by a special symptomatic picture and specific course.

In children of a later age, the symptoms of the disease manifest themselves somewhat differently. So, at the first, prodromal stage, it is not always possible to understand that the child is developing herpes. At this time, the child becomes less mobile, his temperature rises, he experiences severe malaise and weakness. Often at this stage headaches and sore throat appear, which are a sign of herpangina. It’s easy to mistake such signs for a cold and start fighting the wrong infection.

At the next stage, red itchy rashes appear on and around the lips, in the mouth, and sometimes around the eyes. As their intensity increases, the strength of the itching increases, which then turns into pain.

Next, transparent blisters filled with colorless liquid appear on the rash. In appearance, they are identical to the same vesicular rashes in adults, but are located over a larger area and can be much more pronounced. When a child develops herpetic gingivitis and stomatitis, blisters appear not only on the outer skin, but also in the oral cavity - on the mucous membranes, tonsils, tongue and gums. At the same time, on the gums they look like small white dots, no less painful than vesicles in other places.

Over time, these blisters become opaque and the fluid in them begins to resemble pus. All this time, the patient suffers from severe pain, and with herpangina, problems with swallowing food. Young children may scream a lot and have difficulty sleeping when the disease is severe.

At the next stage, the bubbles burst, liquid flows out of them, in which viral particles are teeming - there are literally billions of them, and in place of each bubble a small ulcer appears. It quickly becomes crusty and in this form stops bothering the child.

The last stage is the healing stage. The skin at the site of the ulcers is restored, the scabs fall off and no traces of the disease remain.

Neonatal herpes is characterized by approximately the same symptoms, which, however, also has its own specifics.

Neonatal herpes

Neonatal herpes is often called congenital herpes. In many cases, children become infected during childbirth or in the first hours after it, and symptoms of the disease appear in their first days of life. The severity of symptoms and the course of the disease in them depends on the timing of infection.

The most severe consequences of infection of the fetus are in the early and middle stages of pregnancy: in this case, the child may develop hydro- and microcephaly, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, and damage to the lungs and eyes.

If a child becomes infected immediately during childbirth or shortly after, he may develop one of three forms of neonatal herpes:

A localized form, characteristic of approximately 20-40% of newborns with neonatal herpetic infection. It usually affects the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth. There are usually no generalized symptoms, but single or grouped vesicular elements appear on the skin. Most often, the appearance of blisters occurs a week or two after birth. After another two weeks, with proper treatment, they heal completely, leaving no traces behind;
A generalized form in which a full range of symptoms is observed: initial fever, lethargy, regurgitation, shortness of breath and apnea, cyanosis and symptoms of pneumonia. Very often the adrenal glands and liver are involved in the pathological process. This form of herpes occurs in 20-50% of cases, while a fifth of infants experience generalized symptoms without subsequent skin rashes;
A damaging form characterized by damage to the nervous system. It is characterized by the development of encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, observed in 30% of cases, and with antenatal infection of the fetus, the development of microcephaly, hydrocephalus, as well as the appearance of intracranial calcifications is possible. The manifestation of infection is generalized and is characterized by trembling, convulsions, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, decreased child appetite, and cytosis.

As a rule, the incubation period for infection during childbirth lasts from two to thirty days, and it is after its end that symptoms of the disease appear.

Ways of infecting children with herpes infection

In most cases, a child becomes infected with herpes through interaction with peers or adults who are carriers of the virus.

In many cases, infection occurs from the mother during a relapse of herpes. This is especially true for infants: during this period it is extremely difficult to comply with all precautions to protect the child from infection. In addition, it is at this stage that the mother herself often limits her diet, which leads to hypovitaminosis, decreased immunity and relapse of the disease.

In any case, every carrier of the virus, even in the latent phase, can be a source of infection. Therefore, direct contact of a child with a person who has ever had herpes is a risky situation.

In addition to direct contact, infection can also occur in the following ways:

through everyday life - through shared dishes, food or clothing;
by airborne droplets when there is a person nearby with a recurrent cold on the lips;
from the mother during childbirth or pregnancy.

The latter method of transmission of the virus is most relevant if the mother becomes infected with herpes for the first time during pregnancy. Here the risk of fetal infection is quite high, and such infection can lead to miscarriage.

According to statistics, out of 100 thousand newborns whose mothers do not have immunity to the herpes simplex virus and were infected for the first time during pregnancy, 54% of babies are born with congenital herpetic disease. If the mother has immunity to one of the two types of herpes viruses, then this value decreases to 22-26% of babies per 100 thousand newborns.

A recurrence of herpes in a mother while carrying a child can also lead to infection, but in this case serious consequences are less likely to occur, since the fetus is protected by maternal immunity.

Innate immunity of a child to herpes

If before pregnancy the mother managed to become infected with the herpes simplex virus, then with a high probability nothing threatens her child until the age of six months. In a mother with normal immunity, after the first encounter with the virus (even if it passed in her childhood), the immune system produces specific antibodies, which, when encountering the virus again, quickly and reliably destroy it.

These antibodies are called immunoglobulins, usually designated Ig. Ig classes M and G are produced against herpes viruses. They are what are looked for in the blood during diagnosis.

Of all the immunoglobulins, only IgG successfully penetrates the transplacental barrier due to its small size. They create immunity in the fetus against herpes, with which even a newborn baby will be invulnerable to the virus.

However, the lifespan of these antibodies is only a few months, and after about six months they no longer remain in the child’s body. Then he becomes susceptible to herpes infection. This is evidenced by statistics: the peak of primary infection in children occurs in the 8-13th month of life.

It is also important that antibodies are transferred to the child along with colostrum and mother’s milk. Therefore, the longer the mother feeds her baby with breast milk, the longer she will be protected from herpes infection.

Accordingly, if during pregnancy a mother becomes infected with herpes for the first time, the virus affects both her tissues, without, however, causing her too much trouble, and the tissues and organ systems of the fetus, which is often the cause of many complications and disorders in its development.

Complications of herpes

In general, it is not herpes itself that is dangerous for children, but its complications. They can lead to serious dysfunction of individual organs, and sometimes even to disability and death.

Among the most common and dangerous complications are the following:

Encephalitis and meningoencephalitis, developing in both newborns and older children. Without treatment, such forms are lethal in 90% of cases, and with normal treatment - in 50%;
Cerebral palsy, which develops as a response to a severe form of infection in newborns in the absence of treatment;
Eye diseases: keratoconjunctivitis, iridocyclitis, corneal erosion, episcleritis, chorioretinitis, uveitis;
DIC syndrome;
Stomatitis and gingivitis;
Liver damage, sometimes even hepatitis;
Herpangina and inflammation of the tonsils.

In general, severe forms of the disease are characterized by damage to the nervous system, so the most dangerous are encephalitis, epilepsy and the development of cerebral palsy. It is important that generalized forms of herpes in the early stages are often confused with other infections, which leads to a delay in treatment and missed time to fight the disease. That is why timely diagnosis is important.

Diagnostic methods

Speaking about the diagnosis of neonatal herpes, it is necessary first of all to talk about systematic and continuous monitoring of the mother’s condition during pregnancy.

Registration at this stage of a recurrence of the disease or primary infection will allow in the future, if the child develops corresponding complications, to quickly determine their correct cause.

An important method for diagnosing herpes is to examine the child to identify characteristic rashes. In addition, a child’s crying and refusal to eat may be the result of damage to the gums and mucous surfaces of the mouth.

Quite clear signs of herpes are also convulsions of unknown origin or sepsis that does not go away with the targeted fight against bacterial infections.

In addition to symptomatic diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct instrumental and laboratory studies:

“gold standard”, based on cultivating the virus from various fluids and mucous substances of the body and characterized by high sensitivity and specificity;
electron microscopy;
immunofluorescence method and direct detection of virus in vesicular fluid;
polymerase chain reaction;
study of pathologies of the placenta, the condition of the heart, liver, brain tomography.

In most cases, when blistering rashes appear, further diagnosis of herpes is no longer required, and it is necessary to begin treatment of the disease as soon as possible.

Therapy: medications, folk remedies and treatment regimens

When treating herpes in children, it is important to understand that even a localized form of the disease without proper control threatens to develop into a generalized infection.

If any external symptoms of a herpetic infection appear in newborns or older children, antiviral therapy, for example, with Acyclovir, is necessary. It is administered intravenously into the body in an amount of 45 mg per kilogram of the child’s body weight per day. If the infection is generalized or there are symptoms of meningoencephalitis, the dose is increased to 60 mg/kg per day.

Treatment periods for localized and generalized forms are 14 and 21 days, respectively.

It must be remembered that enteral administration of Acyclovir is often ineffective.

The areas of rashes on the child’s skin themselves should be treated with Acyclovir or Zovirax ointments 3-4 times a day.

If a child has damage to the eyes and periocular membranes as a result of the disease, they are prescribed treatment with a 3% solution of Vidarabine, a 1% solution of Yodioxyuridine, or a 2% solution of Trifluridine.

The immunoglobulins Pentaglobin, Sandoglobin, Intraglobin, Cytotec, Octagam are very effective in combating herpetic infection. They are direct destroyers of the virus in the body and therefore are widely used in the treatment of generalized infections. Interferons are often used - Viferon 150,000 IU 1 time per day rectally for 5 days - and antibiotics to suppress activating microflora.

At the same time, the child should be treated for maintaining the vital functions of his body.

Among the folk remedies for the treatment of herpes, decoctions and infusions of St. John's wort and licorice are used. They promote rapid healing of ulcers at the site of the rash.

There is no need to be afraid of the penetration of the herpes simplex virus into the mother’s milk if her disease relapses. Even with the treatment of the child, it is necessary to continue breastfeeding. Exceptional cases from this rule are situations when, during a relapse of the disease in the mother, the rash is on the chest.

Prevention of childhood herpes

Prevention of herpes in children varies, depending on the form of the disease.

Prevention of neonatal herpes consists of timely detection of infection in the mother, monitoring her health and monitoring the condition of the birth canal, vulva and perineum.

If the manifestation of a herpetic infection in the mother occurred before the 36th week of pregnancy, it is necessary to carry out antiviral therapy for the mother with Acyclovir before the birth of the child. This will ensure the possibility of a natural birth.

If the first episode of the disease occurred in the mother after 36 weeks, a cesarean section is necessary to prevent the child from being affected by the herpes virus.

In the future, the main principle of preventing childhood herpes will be regular and possibly longer breastfeeding. It is important to protect the baby from contact with people with obvious symptoms of a cold on the lips, and if the mother has them, avoid kissing the baby. If it is necessary to have contact with the baby, a mother with recurrent herpes should wear a cotton-gauze bandage and wash her hands thoroughly.

If the child has already suffered from a cold on the lips, the best prevention of a re-exacerbation of the disease would be a correct, plentiful and vitamin-filled diet, an active lifestyle and frequent stay in the fresh air. And if your baby develops any disease, it is necessary to cure it as quickly as possible, since even simple sore throats greatly undermine the immune system.

And remember: the healthier a child leads, the more reliably he is protected from herpes. Therefore, sports, hardening and fresh air will always be his most reliable protectors from this common disease.

Health to you and your baby!

The child's body is more susceptible to infections and viruses than others, especially those that it encounters for the first time. Because of this, the symptoms are more pronounced, and the course of the disease can be severe.

The most common viral pathologies include herpes, which has a large number of varieties. The consequences of its pathogens entering the body can be colds on the lips, chickenpox, shingles, and sudden exanthema.

Herpes is a widespread virus that has many varieties, the simplest of which is a rash on the lips

What is the herpes virus?

The herpes virus belongs to a group of opportunistic infections that can cause harm to health if the body's immune system is weakened by illness, severe overexertion, or taking medications. It has a large number of varieties, but only 8 of them pose a serious danger to humans.

The word “herpes” is translated from Greek as “creeping skin disease.” Manifestations of the disease are observed on the skin and mucous membranes. Depending on the type of herpetic infection, the lesion is localized in different places on the body, for example, on the head, abdomen or legs; the pathology has a different incubation period and provokes other diseases.

About 90% of people are carriers of the virus. In almost any person, its pathogens are present in the body in a latent state until some factor provokes an exacerbation. Any organ is susceptible to infection. Another distinctive feature of the disease is the high probability of becoming infected.

Does a child have innate immunity to herpes?

This article talks about typical ways to solve your issues, but each case is unique! If you want to find out from me how to solve your particular problem, ask your question. It's fast and free!

Young children are much more likely to get herpes due to the lack of immunity to this infection. From the moment of primary infection, the production of antibodies begins in the child’s blood. Immunity is formed to a specific type of herpetic pathogen that has entered the body. However, this is not a 100% guarantee that the disease will not return.

After recovery, the herpesvirus infection remains in the nerve cells. Under certain conditions, it can begin to reproduce again. As a result, people suffer from herpes many times throughout their lives. Factors contributing to its reappearance:

colds, acute respiratory infections or acute respiratory viral infections;
poor nutrition and lack of vitamins;
overheat;
severe stress;
entry into the body of a large number of active pathogens of the virus.

About 5% of children are born with innate immunity to herpes infection. It is genetically determined and inherited by the child from the parents. However, this does not completely exclude the possibility of getting sick. Activation of the virus can occur when exposed to a significant amount of it.

Ways of infection with herpes

Herpes can easily be contracted through close contact with an infected person.

Being highly contagious, the herpes virus can be transmitted in several ways. 5 main routes of infection:

Airborne. The spread of the virus through the air occurs when herpetic cells are released from the mucous membranes. For this reason, if one of your relatives or people close to you is a carrier or is sick, the risk of becoming infected is quite high.
Household or direct contact. You should not hug, kiss, or shake hands with someone who has been diagnosed with herpes. Using common household items, such as towels, dishes, door handles and toys, can lead to any type of infection entering the body - from simple to cytomegalovirus and other types.
During blood transfusion or internal organ transplantation. Such procedures are always accompanied by the possibility of infection.
Perinatal. Infection occurs during the passage of the fetus through the birth canal. Most often, herpes No. 6 is transmitted this way (we recommend reading:).
Transplacental. The route of transmission is the placenta. If the mother does not produce antibodies in her blood to herpes virus infections, the baby may be born infected.

Types and symptoms of herpes

The age when herpes most often begins to appear on a child’s body is 3-5 years. This period marks the beginning of independent movement, exploration of the world and active communication with other children. The incubation period of herpes infection ranges from 1 day to a month.

Exanthema on the baby’s body - herpes virus type 6

All dangerous types of herpes have their own symptoms, but there are also a number of common signs indicating infection:

high body temperature, reaching 38–39 degrees;
weakness;
excessive irritability;
aches in the joints of the limbs;
headache;
poor appetite;
rash on the skin on different parts of the body, for example, on the head, around the mouth, on the stomach, legs, arms (we recommend reading:).

Herpes virus type 1

The table shows the 6 main types of herpes and their characteristic symptoms:

Type of herpes	What diseases does it provoke?	Symptoms
First or simple	A cold on the lips that lasts 5-12 days (we recommend reading:)	a rash that looks like a cluster of bubbles with liquid, which over time burst and degenerate into a weeping crust; redness; enlarged lymph nodes; increased body temperature; weakness.
Second, or genetic	Rashes on the genitals that go away within 10 days to a month	similar to the first type, except for the location.
Third	Chickenpox (duration – 7 days), herpes zoster (3-4 weeks) (we recommend reading:)	high body temperature up to 39-40 degrees; headache; enlarged lymph nodes; rashes all over the body, including the legs, face, and sometimes the nose and mouth, which begin with a red spot, then a vesicle appears, after it bursts, a gradually drying ulcer develops, which disappears over time; itching and burning.
Fourth, or Epstein-Barr virus	Infectious mononucleosis (rare, but lasts up to 2 months)	weakness; cough; pain and aches in joints and muscles; dizziness and headaches; increased body temperature; enlarged lymph nodes; pain in the throat when swallowing; enlarged spleen and/or liver; frequent acute respiratory infections; rashes on lips.
Fifth, or cytomegalovirus (we recommend reading:)	Cytomegalovirus infection (1-1.5 months) (we recommend reading:)	symptoms are similar to mononucleosis or rubella.
Sixth	Exanthema in children (up to 7 days), multiple sclerosis in adults	body temperature up to 40 degrees for the first 4 days; small pink vesicles all over the body, including the head, which turn pale when pulled, appearing after a sudden normalization of temperature; no itching.

Chickenpox is a herpes infection (type 3 virus)

Diagnosis of the disease in children

As a rule, if bubbles filled with liquid appear on a child’s skin throughout the body, then upon examination a qualified specialist is able to make a diagnosis and prescribe a therapeutic course without additional laboratory tests. However, this does not apply to inexperienced parents trying to compare rashes with photos from the Internet.

To prescribe the most effective treatment, you will need to carry out a number of auxiliary manipulations that will allow you to properly treat herpes in children. More detailed diagnostics include:

General inspection. It consists of collecting information about the baby’s condition, living conditions and external symptoms of the disease.
Taking tests. The patient's blood, feces, urine and secretions from the mucous membranes are examined for the presence of the virus.
Histological examination of tissue samples. Performed if cancer is suspected.
Ultrasound and MRI. These procedures help determine the extent of damage to the brain and other internal organs.
Immunofluorescence study to study the liquid component of the vesicles.
Consultation of narrow specialists. Necessary to find out the reasons for the malfunction of the immune system.

It is important to conduct an analysis for the presence of herpes in the child’s blood - the result of the study will show how seriously the disease has affected the child’s body (we recommend reading:)

Treatment options

The peculiarity of herpes is that it is impossible to completely cure the disease. After the initial infection, a person will be forced to periodically deal with relapses of the disease throughout his life.

However, to avoid complications, you should always promptly treat and eliminate existing symptoms. For this reason, you should not resort to self-medication; I rely on the advice of friends, photos from the Internet and other sources. The drug regimen with dosages and duration of the therapeutic course should be prescribed by a doctor.

Medications

The essence of treatment for herpes simplex, like any other type, comes down to complex therapy, which includes taking:

Antiviral drugs. There is no separate group of medications against herpes for young children. Regardless of the age at which the infection occurred - be it an infant under one year old, a 2-year-old baby or a 7-year-old child, the same drugs are used. Among them: Acyclovir, Zovirax and Famvir. They are available in the form of tablets or ointments. Tablets are prescribed to achieve a stronger effect. Usually, for the first three types of herpes, ointments are used, which are applied in a thin layer to the rash.
Immunomodulators. Restoration of the body's protective functions is required. Viferon, Cycloferon and Immunal are suitable for this.
Drugs that relieve external symptoms. To eliminate itching, burning and allergic reactions, antihistamines are used, for example, Suprastin, Zyrtec or Tavegil. To bring down a high temperature and relieve pain in muscles and joints, antipyretics should be given, such as Nurofen, Ibuprofen, and children's Paracetamol.

Traditional medicine

With the help of traditional medicine, you can also alleviate the condition of a patient with herpes and speed up his recovery. For this purpose, lotions, baths, and compresses are made using various medicinal plants. The most popular recipes for ointments, decoctions and other remedies are:

Garlic, apple and potato compress to relieve discomfort. To do this, you need to crush the garlic, take the apple pulp and grate the potatoes, wrap it all together in a bandage and apply it to the affected area.
Tincture of lemon balm or lemon balm leaves for oral administration. 2 tsp pour boiling water over the mixture. Used in 3 doses.
Tincture of celandine. You will need 1 tsp. celandine, a glass of boiling water. Using this tincture, ulcers and vesicles are washed.
Fresh juice or oil extract from the celandine herb. This natural remedy is applied to damaged skin areas several times a day.
Tincture of calendula flowers. Used for lotions.
Propolis tincture. They wipe her skin. Before use, dilute with water.

Alcohol tincture of calendula flowers is very effective for external use for herpetic rashes

Diet

Diet plays an important role in the treatment of herpes. It has been scientifically proven that arginine proteins contribute to the activation of the virus, while lysine proteins, on the contrary, prevent this. As a result, the patient’s diet should be enriched with products containing lysine and those containing arginine should be excluded. The first include:

shrimps;
sea fish;
milk or natural yoghurt.

You should reduce your consumption of foods such as:

chocolate;
nuts and seeds;
grains and legumes.

It is also important to support the immune system. To do this, you should include in your diet:

ginger;
lemon;
garlic.

It is necessary to constantly monitor the baby’s health and give him natural immunostimulants in small quantities.

Complications after herpes

Herpes rash is a very unpleasant phenomenon that causes discomfort in the patient. However, most often it passes quickly and does not pose a health hazard. The threat lies in the development of complications after herpes. Although they occur rarely, without proper treatment, a child may experience consequences of the virus such as:

damage to internal organs (liver, heart, intestines, spleen);
functional disorders of the nervous system;
angina;
inflammation of the tonsils;
rheumatoid arthritis;
cerebral palsy;
pneumonia;
encephalitis;
hepatitis;
keratoconjunctivitis;
problems with blood clotting due to the formation of blood clots in small vessels;
miscarriage or pathological changes in fetal development if a pregnant woman is infected, especially in the first trimester and during primary infection.

The herpes virus is contagious and therefore spreads very quickly. All living creatures living on Earth suffer from it. It can be encountered everywhere, which is why herpes occurs in children as often as in adults. Even if it is not noticed by dad, mom and relatives, the baby can meet the carrier anywhere. Some can become dangerous to life and health. Therefore, parents need to know information about symptoms and treatment methods.

The herpes virus can also affect children with weak immunity.

Features of the disease

A child's rash caused by common herpes has a number of features that are easy to recognize. The rash consists of many small blisters with clear liquid. As the disease progresses, the color of the bubbles changes and becomes whitish. The location of the rash is influenced by the method of infection and the point of entry of the infection into the body, located on:

lips;
cheek;
centuries;
head (at the base of hair growth);
neck, stomach;
bends of joints (in folds).

Rashes on the lips are the most common site of localization of herpes simplex. It not only affects your appearance negatively, but can also cause serious complications.

Types of Herpes

Herpes viruses in nature have about 200 variants, but the most common and capable of causing rashes on the body are six of them:

Herpes simplex type 1 is the most common type. A rash on the lips is a consequence of infection with the first strain. Its movement throughout the body can be manifested by the appearance of papules on the eyelids, eyebrows, and in the mouth.
Herpes of the second type. Very similar to the first one, differs in location. It is mainly located on the buttocks, in the perineum, on the thighs, and in rare cases it appears on the legs and legs.
The causative agent of chickenpox. Initial contact with the infection manifests itself in the form of a profuse rash over the entire torso, which is known as chickenpox. In a secondary reaction, focal skin lesions occur on the back and in the ribs, which is called herpes zoster.

The Epstein-Barr pathogen is a highly contagious species transmitted by contact with saliva. The incubation period ranges from 5 to 21 days, and in some cases up to several months. The pathogen provokes infectious mononucleosis, the so-called “kiss disease.” The pathogen does not lead to the appearance of papules, but is accompanied by fever, headache, enlarged liver and spleen. The use of medications during the treatment period can provoke the formation of small, frequent papules that quickly disappear.

Cytomegalovirus. Despite its prevalence, cytomegalovirus appears and causes damage only when the immune system is very weakened.
Type six pathogen. Herpes in children causes a disease called pseudorubella (roseola). A distinctive symptom is a large number of small, pink papules along the body. Infants get sick more often.
7 and 8 strain. New types of pathogens discovered recently provoke depression and cancer. They are rare in children.

Causes of the disease

Common childhood herpes is more common. The disease is contagious, very contagious, and is easily transmitted through direct contact with a damaged surface in the following cases:

during childbirth;
by airborne droplets;
during the period of bearing a baby (from the mother through the placenta);
in everyday life through toys, dishes, tactile contacts;
infection with the pathogen after birth.

Strong immune defense does not allow infection to spread in the body, and it is localized in one place. Weakened immunity is the main reason why a pathogen can penetrate internal organs, affecting them.

, entering the body, remains in

Children can get herpes “inherited” during childbirth from their mother.

it remains there forever and accumulates in blood and nerve cells. Overwork and hypothermia are provoking factors for re-exacerbation. The weaker the immune defense, the more severe the disease is.

Symptoms

The manifestation of herpes on the body and mucous membranes has characteristic distinctive features that are difficult to confuse. Therefore it is easily recognized. The location of localization depends on the route of infection and the place of penetration:

Skin rash

Papules appear on the torso, head and neck. Herpes caused by the usual type is complicated by the appearance of a large number of pimples that constantly itch. In this situation, frequent hygiene procedures and changing bed and underwear are important.

Rash on mucous membranes

A viral infection makes itself felt by the appearance of vesicles on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. This type of infection mainly affects children under 3 years of age. This age is characterized by teething, which is accompanied by an inflammatory process. Small ulcers, small foci of damage to the mucous membrane quickly become a breeding ground for herpes infection. A yellow coating forms on the affected area, and stomatitis may develop in parallel. The child experiences an increase in temperature, enlarged lymph nodes, an unpleasant odor from the mouth, and very painful ulcers.

Herpes on the eyes

This pathology is a specific type of herpes, which has a long incubation period. It is difficult to immediately understand the presence of a herpes infection, since the signs of herpes are similar to other eye infections. Primary signals indicating the onset of infection:

redness, swelling of the mucous membrane and eyelids;
reduction of the eye section;
small blisters appear along the edge of the eyelid, which are accompanied by itching;
profuse lacrimation;
fear of light;
pain in the eye;
with severe damage, acute pain.

All signals gradually increase, against the background of which the child’s vision deteriorates.

Genital herpes

This type of herpes is typical for newborns and depends on the health of the mother. Develops mainly during the 1st month after birth. It is characterized by the formation of vesicles on the mucous membrane of the genital organs and the inner side of the thigh. Vesicles can spread to the urinary canal, bladder and cause serious complications.

Genital herpes is also observed in adolescents, but it is transmitted through sexual contact. In girls, vesicles are located on the mucous membrane of the vulva, vagina, and in boys on the genitals. Pain occurs during urination, headaches, and pulling in the lower abdomen. The teenager experiences fatigue and sleep disturbances.

Internal herpes

The most dangerous type of herpes infection is on the mucous membranes of internal organs.

Viral herpes of any type has an adverse effect on health, but internal herpes causes the greatest damage to the body. The danger lies in damage to internal organs. It is not easy to detect pathology at home. Constant weakness, headaches, and fever rarely coincide with the appearance of papules on the mucous membrane. Constant colds, bronchitis, and inflammatory processes in the urinary canal may raise suspicions about the activation of internal herpes. Otherwise, manifestations of process disorders in internal organs are similar to standard internal complications. To confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo a series of clinical and laboratory tests.

CNS damage

A herpetic infection can cause damage to the central nervous system (more often in young children, although it also happens in older children). The occurrence of a lesion depends on the presence of infection in the blood. Damage to the central nervous system provokes encephalitis and meningitis.

The onset is rapid: temperature rises, severe headache, vomiting begins. The child's condition is very depressed, loss of consciousness and lack of mobility are possible.

Diagnostics

The methods for recognizing herpes in children are no different from the applicable methods in adults.

Speaking of neonatal complications, it is important to monitor the mother’s health during pregnancy, which will allow her to quickly respond and eliminate the problem when the baby appears. When talking about children aged one year and above, the emphasis is on characteristic vesicles.

Confirmation of the diagnosis occurs using laboratory methods:

analysis of vesicle contents;
scraping;
analysis for the presence of pathogens in blood and urine;
nasopharyngeal swab.

Important: detection of a pathogen does not always give a clear picture of the complexity of the development of the process.

Herpes is a common disease caused by the herpes simplex virus. Affects people of any age.

The main sign of herpes in children is inflamed blister-like elements that appear on the body in multiple quantities. Up to 3–4 years of age, children rarely suffer from herpetic infection, because remain protected by maternal antibodies. Closer to 5 years, the fragile body is already exposed to infection if the child has been in contact with a sick friend or adult without following the rules of hygiene.

Why do children get herpes?

Specific herpes rashes on a child’s body are associated with damage to the body by a DNA-containing virus, which is localized in the nervous system and cannot be eliminated. If an adult is attacked by 8 strains (types 6 and 7 are especially dangerous for adults), then children are more likely to get oral herpes, chickenpox (Varicella Zoster virus), etc.

Infection of a child occurs through airborne droplets or contact if he used other people's hygiene products, kissed relatives who could be carriers of HSV, took toys from sick friends, etc. In a clinical setting, herpes infection is explained by blood transfusion from an infected donor, organ transplantation from a sick child to a healthy baby, and passage through the birth canal of an infected mother.

The incubation period for the development of herpes is long. The virus remains in a latent state for years until favorable conditions for activation occur. Factors in the development of herpesvirus infection in children can be:

Hypovitaminosis.
Climate change.
Too weak immunity.
Injuries to the oral mucosa.
Hypothermia/overheating.
Psycho-emotional surge.
Neuroendocrine disorders.
Bacterial infection of the body.
Gastrointestinal pathologies in acute condition.

Dangerous for children by spreading to the parotid space, eyes, and brain tissue. The consequences of the disease can be deafness, meningitis, herpetic sore throat, keratitis and myocarditis. In teenage girls, HSV causes colpitis.

How does herpes virus infection occur in children?

Every parent must know what symptoms herpes manifests on a child’s body. At first, the baby may complain of fatigue and discomfort in the mouth while eating.

Tingling, pain, burning and itching occurs on the skin at the site of future rashes. Ulcers are clearly visible in the oral cavity: they cover the throat, palate, gums, front part and inner surface of the cheeks. Swollen gums bleed.

A feverish state and frequent headaches cause sleep disturbances and febrile convulsions, which, in the absence of medical intervention, develop into epilepsy. The blistering rash gradually spreads throughout the body. The digestive tract reacts to the pathogen with nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Bubbles with a transparent infiltrate grow in size and are very itchy. Due to the fact that the baby scratches the elements, they break through faster and leak liquid with a mass of active viral particles. The former blister turns into an ulcer, which causes tightness, itching and pain. Subsequently, the damaged area becomes overgrown with a crust that is prone to bleeding at the slightest injury.

With reduced immunity, the symptoms of a herpes virus infection in a child will be:

The fusion of herpes blisters produces extensive inflamed areas.

When HSV-2 is activated, a rash and ulcerations are observed in the perineal area. The color of the stool changes: urine becomes dark, feces lighten to white. Ascending infection is fraught with herpesvirus pneumonia with a high risk of death of the baby.

Variants of the manifestation of herpes on the body in children are shown in the photo. Pay attention to changes in skin condition in a timely manner, since at an early age the body’s tendency to generalize inflammation is much higher.

Principles of treatment of herpes in children

Despite great progress, modern pharmacology cannot provide specialists with medications that can completely remove HSV strains from a child’s body. Therefore, the main goals of treating herpes on a child’s body are:

Children are treated by a pediatrician, virologist or dermatologist. The doctor develops a comprehensive therapy with the mandatory prescription of oral antiviral drugs, external agents, stimulants and IS modulators.

A high effect in the treatment of childhood herpes is achieved by the combined use of ointments and internal medications. It is advisable in cases where the main pathology is accompanied by universal signs of painful conditions - fever, gastrointestinal problems, enlarged lymph nodes.

Parents can use antipyretics to stabilize the body temperature of a child infected with herpes. To alleviate the condition, the patient should be given plenty of fluids and bed rest. Among the antiviral drugs, it is better to give the child Acyclovir.

Immunostimulating agents are prescribed to protect the body from the virus and increase its ability to fight HSV strains. Children are prescribed Groprinosin, Immunal, Arpetol.

Video: Dr. Komarovsky about herpes.

The diet during a herpetic infection requires the exclusion from the diet of foods that increase inflammatory processes in the skin tissues. These include food:

Spicy.
Salty.
Sweet.
Fat.
Smoked.

If the oral cavity is affected by herpes, children are not given solid or hot food. If the blisters are constantly injured, healing will take 2 to 4 weeks. To speed up regeneration, parents should monitor the temperature of food and drinks and not allow the baby to pick in his mouth.

Treating herpes in children is an almost impossible process. This is explained by the fact that the herpes virus, once it enters the body, cannot leave it so easily. The only option is to muffle the unpleasant symptoms and avoid dangerous consequences.

You also need to understand that everything depends on the individual characteristics of the child. In one child, herpes may appear once every three months, while another child may completely forget about this problem until adulthood, when the virus “wake up” against the background of an infectious or any other type of disease.

On the other hand, you need to be prepared for the fact that almost every baby suffers from this disease. Moreover, according to research by scientists, 100% of people on Earth have cytomegalovirus, and 90% of people have ordinary herpes.

Also, treatment of herpes in children directly depends on the type of virus. Today there are 8 categories of this pathology. By studying their manifestations and characteristics, you can decide how serious the disease is.

Types of Herpes

Let's take a closer look at all the varieties of this viral disease:

Herpes type 1. This herpes is also called simplex. It occurs in a huge number of people and rarely prevents them from living a full life. If we talk about the symptoms and treatment of herpes type 1 in children, the disease, as a rule, does not require emergency treatment, but manifests itself in the form of rashes on the lips and on the wings of the nose. As a rule, redness does not itch and is not so noticeable. Therefore, most often, many do not even suspect that they have this pathology.
Herpes type 2. In this case, the rash appears on the genital areas. This type of disease is much less common. However, quite often treatment of herpes in a child (type 2) must be carried out, since the infection can spread to the birth canal in girls, and in boys it can affect the head of the penis. In this case, children experience severe itching, which can develop into herpetic sore throat and stomatitis.
Herpes type 3. In this case we are talking about the well-known chickenpox. One of the variants of this type of herpes is herpes zoster. However, such problems are quite rare in children.
Herpes type 4. This variety is also often called the Epstein-Barr virus. Such a disease can provoke the appearance of infectious mononucleosis. This serious disease affects the lymphoid system. If a child is sick with infectious mononucleosis, then in this case he will suffer from fever, enlarged lymph nodes, pain in the throat, swelling of the adenoids, and an enlarged liver. This variety is quite dangerous, as it leads to complications and negatively affects the functioning of the immune system.
Herpes type 5. In this case, the disease progresses quite quickly into a cytomegalovirus type infection. In this case, it may even be necessary to treat herpes in a child at 3 years old or even earlier. As a rule, this is due to the fact that the baby begins to attend kindergarten, where he becomes infected with the virus. Very rarely, the disease begins with intrauterine infection and is unlikely to lead to the development of serious impairments in the functioning of internal organs. In this case, an infection of this type may not manifest itself in any way for a long time, but this does not prevent the baby from being a carrier of the virus.

Herpes type 6. This type of disease can lead to roseola or exanthema. If we talk about symptoms and treatment in children, it is worth noting that quite often this disease is confused with rubella. Among the main signs of the disease, parents should be confused by small pinkish papules located on the baby’s skin. When you press on them they begin to turn pale. In the initial stages of this pathology, the temperature may rise, but there will be no cough or runny nose. At the same time, the baby returns to normal very quickly. When treating type 6 herpes in children, doctors often do not start treatment for the infection itself, but try to overcome acute respiratory viral infections and acute respiratory infections. This is explained by the fact that the manifestations of this disease are very similar to ordinary flu, so it is worth drawing the doctor’s attention to the absence of other characteristic signs of seasonal illnesses.

The 7th and 8th types of herpes have not yet been fully studied, since they were discovered relatively recently. However, there is a theory that these ailments can cause chronic fatigue.

Why does herpes appear in the same place repeatedly?

First of all, it is worth considering that after the virus enters the body, it does not immediately begin to actively manifest itself. Usually, in the initial stages, it does not reveal itself in any way; accordingly, the symptoms of herpes in children do not appear in any way, and treatment is not required. If the child feels well and rarely gets sick, then this pathology may not bother you for years. However, as soon as the baby’s immune system weakens, for example, during acute respiratory infections, hypothermia, or during allergy attacks, the virus is activated.

After its awakening, it begins to actively multiply, which leads to the appearance of a rash on the skin and mucous membranes. As a rule, it is always localized in the same places. If the location of the herpes has changed, this may indicate an exacerbation of the disease.

After some time, the body gains strength and begins to actively fight the infection, which leads to cleansing of the skin and mucous membranes. Because of this, the virus “hides” until better times, when the baby’s immunity fails again. Therefore, treating herpes in children is quite difficult. It is never clear whether the virus has really been overcome or whether it has simply gone dormant and will soon appear again.

When is herpes most contagious?

If the virus is dormant and hiding in the ganglia, then in this situation there is no need to worry about the fact that it can be transmitted to other children.

However, during an exacerbation, it becomes especially dangerous for others, as it is quite easily transmitted. In order not to infect other children in the kindergarten, it is worth using specialized medications and starting treatment of herpes in children during the period of exacerbation of the disease and its active reproduction.

Can a breastfeeding baby get herpes?

It is worth considering that during the first three years of life, the child’s body retains the immunity of its mother. During this period of time, it is protected by the nutrients and beneficial substances that it received while still inside the woman’s womb. Therefore, it all depends on how the fair sex felt during pregnancy, whether she adhered to a healthy diet, and whether she did not consume alcohol or other harmful ingredients. Also, in some cases, newborn babies have a very weak immune system. Therefore, everything depends on many factors.

However, we can say with confidence that if the mother suffered from this virus during pregnancy or after the birth of the baby, then most likely it will be transmitted to the newborn baby.

Treatment of the herpes virus in a child during an exacerbation

If your baby suddenly develops unpleasant rashes, then in this case you can use a recipe for emergency treatment of the disease. To do this, you need to make lotions from 70 percent ethyl or camphor alcohol.

Alternating hot water and applying ice to the affected areas of the skin also have a positive effect.

If unpleasant blisters appear on the skin, then in this case it is recommended to use products that have a drying effect to treat herpes on the child’s body. Zinc paste, iodine and brilliant green are suitable for this. However, these tools must be used carefully.

For treatment, you can use furatsilin solutions or calendula tinctures in the mouth.

However, under no circumstances should you use hormonal ointments such as Flucinar. These remedies will not only not help, but, on the contrary, will worsen the situation. After using such products, rashes may remain on the skin much longer, and blisters may even begin to open. This is very dangerous as bacteria can get into them.

Options for getting rid of herpes

Looking at the photo of herpes in children, the treatment of which gave results, we can say with confidence that in this case complex therapy worked.

Regardless of the type of infectious pathology, you need to ensure that your baby drinks as much fluid as possible. It doesn't have to be water. Fruit drinks, compotes and natural juices are suitable (you just need to first make sure that the child does not suffer from an allergic reaction to one or another component).

If a child suffers from a high temperature when herpes appears, then in this case it is recommended to take children's antipyretic drugs, for example Nurofen.

You can also forget about herpes for a while with the help of antiviral drugs. However, the chosen course depends on the symptoms of herpes in children and the treatment of the disease, which is recommended by the pediatrician. As a rule, experts recommend using ointments (but not hormonal ones) if the rash is localized on the baby’s lips or genitals. Also, with the help of topical medications, you can cope with shingles.

It is worth resorting to tablets when it comes to acute manifestations of the disease, since they have a stronger effect, but this is not always useful for the baby. In the most severe cases, intravenous medications may be required. However, such procedures are carried out only in the case of the most complex herpetic infections.

Antiviral drugs

If we talk about drug treatment of this type, experts most often recommend the use of:

"Acyclovir". This drug copes well with the first three types of herpes. In this case, the product can be used from the age of three. This product is sold in the form of ointments, tablets and powder solutions.
"Zovirax". It has the same features as Acyclovir.
"Viru-Merza". This remedy successfully fights types 1 and 2 of the virus. This drug is sold in the form of a gel that is applied to the baby's skin. However, it is worth considering that this remedy is not recommended for children; nevertheless, in especially severe cases, pediatricians prescribe it.

When should you not self-medicate?

If a baby suffers from an illness more than 3 times a year, then in this case the problems are much more serious. It is possible that the baby's immune system is not working correctly. Therefore, it is better to consult a doctor and find out the cause of the possible manifestation of the disease.

Also, you should not experiment if signs of shingles or chickenpox are clearly visible on the baby’s skin. In this case, the development of herpes will occur to a more complex extent.

If there is even the slightest suspicion that a child is suffering from types 3-6 of herpes, then in this case you need to take into account that these varieties are highly contagious, so it is better to call a doctor as soon as possible. Otherwise, the entire household may begin to suffer from herpes.

Vaccinations

To date, special vaccines have already been developed against this unpleasant disease. However, it is worth considering that this procedure began to be carried out quite recently, so it is very difficult to talk about its effectiveness. However, according to scant data, this vaccination has helped many cope with an unpleasant illness. According to studies, after vaccination the likelihood of relapse is significantly reduced, and sometimes the disease disappears altogether.

Even if the vaccine does not help completely get rid of herpes, it will help you forget about exacerbations of this pathology.

As a rule, this type of treatment requires 5 injections with a break of 4 days. In this case, the course of treatment, as a rule, is at least 6 cycles.

However, it must be borne in mind that vaccination can only be carried out if the baby does not suffer from kidney or liver diseases. Also, this procedure is contraindicated for those who have been diagnosed with malignant tumors and intolerance to certain medications.

Vitamin therapy

It is quite obvious that if herpes occurs, this indicates that the baby’s body is weakened. In this case, it can be helped with vitamins B and C. Calcium also has a positive effect.

You can also start giving your child tincture of eleutherococcus. This remedy helps keep the body in good shape and has a positive effect on the functioning of the nervous system. In addition, eleutherococcus has a relaxing effect. Thanks to this, the functioning of the nervous system improves, the baby feels more alert and cheerful.

Folk remedies

If you watch programs in which Komarovsky expresses his opinion on the treatment of herpes in children, you can draw a lot of useful conclusions. For example, in order to get rid of unpleasant symptoms, you can use traditional medicine methods.

Some of the most effective remedies are lemon balm and mint. If you make lotions with these plants, then you can get rid of itching and redness quite quickly. To prepare a medicinal infusion, you need to pour 1 spoon of fragrant spice with a glass of boiling water and leave for 1 hour. After this, it is enough to moisten a cotton pad in the liquid and apply it to the affected areas of the skin 3-6 times a day, depending on the severity of the rash. The course of treatment depends on the complexity of the disease. When the signs of herpes disappear, you can stop using lotions.

Propolis will also help cope with the disease. This beekeeping product quickly copes with itching and redness. However, such drugs are prohibited for use if the baby suffers from an allergy to honey.

Eucalyptus oil can also help get rid of unpleasant blisters. In addition, it has excellent antiseptic properties. Thanks to this, pathogenic bacteria will not spread over large areas.

You can also prepare a decoction of calendula. Sea buckthorn oil has a good effect. However, before starting self-treatment, you should still consult a pediatrician.