The child has herpes all over his body. Causes and treatment of herpetic rashes in children

Child, but also on other parts of the body. And at the same time, it will be caused by different types of pathogens, the doctor will make different diagnoses, and different treatments will be required. You will learn why herpes appears on the baby’s body by reading this article.

About herpes viruses

It is popularly believed that herpes is an itchy rash on the lip that appears as a result of a cold. This opinion is wrong. A herpetic infection is not caused by a cold, but by a whole group of viruses, which are called herpesviruses due to their tendency to spread over the skin.

Medicine knows 8 types of such pathogens. Five of them have been well studied and certain drugs are effective against them. Three are still a mystery, but in general they are described by scientists, their symptoms are known, difficulties arise only in establishing the causes and possible complications, as well as in prescribing treatment.

All herpes viruses are lifelong. Once they enter a child’s body, they remain forever.

After the acute stage of infection, the virus does not disappear anywhere; it is impossible to exterminate it. It simply begins to “cooperate” with the immune system, living in the body quietly, peacefully, in a latent stage. This will happen until factors appear that provoke herpes to become active - weakened immunity by disease, hypothermia or overheating of the body, severe stress, nervous shock.

Most herpetic viruses “wake up” in this situation and begin to act, giving symptoms characteristic of their impact.

Herpes viruses manifest themselves in 100% of cases by the appearance of a rash. In the acute course of primary infection, the child may have a fever, as well as fever, intoxication, vomiting, and even diarrhea. Almost everyone experiences muscle and joint pain, as well as headaches, a feeling of weakness and constant fatigue.

Herpes viruses are extremely common - antibodies, indicating that these agents are in the body, are found in 95-97% of the world's population.

There is no prevention against them, no vaccinations have been created. Typically, children become infected at a very early age - from mom and dad, through mucous membranes, saliva, and skin.

Symptoms and diseases

The symptoms of all diseases caused by herpes viruses are quite similar, but each still has its own distinctive features.

If a child has a watery rash on the lip or in the area of the nasolabial triangle, then we're talking about about herpes simplex type - the first. It is sometimes called oral or facial herpes. This is the most common type of infection; almost all people on the planet are carriers of it.

All parents know what such herpes looks like; they accurately identify it by external signs. It does not affect anything except the lips, chin, and circumlabial space. Very rarely - the mucous membrane of the eyes, but this is an exception.

After the acute stage, the virus enters a latent state, and the infection worsens only under the influence of unfavorable factors.

If a child has a watery rash, which is accompanied by itching and discomfort in the genital area or anus, then traces of the presence of the herpes virus type 2 will almost certainly be found in the blood.

Genital herpes develops more often in girls than in boys. It is transmitted mainly from mother to fetus (during pregnancy), sometimes infection occurs at the time of birth. The virus is not transmitted very often through household contact. In adolescents, it can occur due to sexual transmission.

You can recognize the virus by its characteristic (same as on the lips) rashes on the genitals, buttocks, and near the anus. This type of herpes virus gives frequent relapses - not 1-3 times a year, like the first type of virus, but much more often. In some children with weak immune systems, a rash on the genitals is almost always present.

If a child has a fever, there are all signs of intoxication, and a red rash, watery vesicles (a form of rash) appear all over the body, including the scalp (except for the palms and soles), then we are talking about a type 3 virus. It causes chickenpox, which is familiar to everyone from childhood. Chickenpox is more easily tolerated by children; in adults it is very severe and sometimes requires hospitalization.

Herpes on the lip

Genital herpes

Chicken pox

That is why children who have not had chickenpox before the age of 2 are vaccinated against this disease. The Varilrix vaccine makes the likelihood of infection minimal, and the course of the disease, if the infection does enter the body, is milder.

It is believed that you get chickenpox once in a lifetime, then a strong immunity is developed for the third herpes, but relapses are possible. And they will be called “herpetic herpes zoster.” Each relapse will be accompanied by the appearance of “belts” of rash and fever.

Herpes virus type 4 - with the complex name “Epstein-Barr virus”. Usually causes a disease such as infectious mononucleosis. This virus affects the oropharynx, lymph nodes, and a characteristic herpes rash appears in the larynx, as well as a grayish coating. The rash also appears on the skin, but disappears within 3-4 days.

A dangerous complication of this disease, which can, under certain circumstances not fully studied by medical science, cause malignant Burkitt lymphoma.

If a child’s symptoms are completely consistent with a cold or respiratory infection, he has a fever, a sore throat, but there is no plaque or rash, then with some probability he may have herpes of the fifth type - cytomegalovirus. In the vast majority of cases, it does not manifest itself at all, except in blood tests.

A cytomegalovirus infection that becomes clinically manifest is rare; it is almost impossible to recognize it, because a doctor who comes to a child with a sore throat and high temperature will almost certainly diagnose ARVI or pharyngitis, and the true pathogen will remain unknown.

The good news is that this happens very, very rarely, and complications in the form of damage to the nervous system, liver and kidneys occur even less frequently.

If a child has a high (up to 39-40 degrees) temperature, a headache and aching whole body, and after 3-5 days it becomes covered with pink spots-rash (most of them on the face, back and stomach) - we are talking about a herpes virus type six, which causes the most mysterious childhood disease. This is roseola rosea, which is also called pseudorubella.

If a child has had a low-grade fever (37 degrees) for several months, he gets tired very quickly, he gets tired, his sleep is disturbed (there are severe problems falling asleep), his lymph nodes are almost constantly enlarged, it makes sense to donate blood to identify the herpes virus type seven.

Modern medicine has not developed a vaccine for it, and there are no preventive measures. There are also fierce debates around the possible consequences for the body. Some scientists claim that this virus causes cancer, especially lymphoid tissue, while others disagree with this.

Herpes type 8 is present in many people's bodies without manifesting itself at all. Due to its insufficient study, there are more questions than answers. Doctors say that the virus is activated as a result of radiation therapy and causes independent tumors - Kaposi's sarcoma.

Diagnostics

Very often, the symptoms of herpetic diseases (especially at the initial acute stage) are confused with ARVI, and even very good, experienced doctors are not immune from mistakes. Recognizing roseola is an impossible task until a characteristic rash appears. The easiest way is with genital, simple (oral) herpes and chickenpox. Their symptoms are known not only to doctors, but also to most mothers and fathers themselves.

Only an extended blood test, a PCR test, can determine the type of virus and answer the question of what kind of disease has affected the baby.

In this case, the laboratory technician will accurately determine whether the child has an acute or chronic stage, and whether he has acquired immunity to a particular herpetic pathogen.

Treatment

In most cases (with the exception of the seventh and eighth types of herpes) you can do without specific treatment. Firstly, herpes viruses are incurable, and all existing antiherpetic drugs are created only to relieve some of the symptoms in severe acute stages. Secondly, the use of medications for children is required in rare cases. Under no circumstances should herpes be treated with antibiotics - they are not particularly effective against viral infections.

For herpes simplex (on the lips), medications are needed only if the acute stage is protracted (more than a week). Apply ointment

Herpes can appear on the body as an itchy rash localized on the skin of adults and children. The disease spreads easily through the air through contact with an infected person. To treat the disease, it is necessary to carry out complex therapy prescribed by a doctor. Without medication, the virus can cause serious complications.

Contagious or not

The disease is extremely contagious, especially during the period of exacerbation, when herpetic rashes appear on the skin. The virus is transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person in several ways:

Airborne – entering the body with air. The likelihood of transmission increases when staying within 2 meters of the patient.
Household - using personal hygiene products and utensils.
Primary infection through unprotected sexual intercourse.
Vertical way - from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth.
During organ transplantation, transfusion of liquids in violation of sterility.
By contact - through touching the patient.

What does it look like

At the initial stage of the disease, there are no external symptoms - the patient feels a general malaise, pain in certain parts of the body. Then the skin becomes covered with rashes that look like clear blisters. Fluid-filled blisters form small clusters. In areas where blisters form, the skin takes on a red or pinkish tint.

In some cases, the rash may form in clusters that look like large spots that spread over a wide area of the body. After a few days, the blisters burst, and instead of them, ulcers appear, which gradually become covered with a crust. After healing of such formations, light marks in the form of spots remain on the skin.

Signs of herpes

When herpes occurs throughout the body, a person experiences not only its unpleasant cosmetic signs, but also a deterioration in his general condition. The disease has the following symptoms:

characteristic blisters on the body that begin to itch;
soreness and increased sensitivity of the skin - unpleasant sensations at the site of ulcers appear when rubbed or touched;
slight chills, weakness, fever;
skin itching, burning sensation in areas of the rash;
nausea and vomiting;
dizziness and severe headache;
fainting;
muscle weakness;
change, loss of smell, taste.

On children's bodies

The risk of developing exacerbations of herpes in children increases by the age of 4 years. The herpes virus enters a child’s body through household contact or airborne droplets from infected adults or peers. Infection with the genital type of the disease can occur during childbirth from the mother. At the first signs, the child feels a slight tingling and itching of the skin of the body, and possible manifestations of pain. If the illness is accompanied by fever, sleep disturbances may occur. During attacks of genital herpes, dark urine and light-colored stool are observed.

Rash

The main symptom of a child suffering from herpes is the appearance of a skin rash. It consists of small blisters filled with liquid. Severe itching occurs at the site where the blisters appear, and bleeding occurs when scratched. The prevalence of the rash depends on the type of virus. In the genital form, pimples can pop up in the perineum and genital area. When exposed to the smallpox virus, which causes chickenpox, blisters form on the chest, abdomen, sides, limbs, and back.

Reasons for appearance

After the initial infection, symptoms of the disease may be absent and become apparent during an exacerbation. Experts identify several reasons under the influence of which herpes begins to appear on the skin of the body:

failure to comply with personal hygiene rules;
hypothermia or overheating of the body;
unprotected and promiscuous sex;
incorrect selection of diet;
frequent stress, severe emotional stress;
the presence of inflammatory processes of a sluggish form, colds, chronic diseases;
changes within the body associated with age;
carrying out radiation and chemotherapy;
oppression, immaturity of the immune system;
blood diseases;
taking certain groups of medications;
presence of diabetes mellitus;
internal organ transplant operations;
hormonal imbalance;
severe injuries of mechanical origin.

Species

Cutaneous herpes is present in a latent form in most people. Its manifestations become noticeable on the body when the body’s immune system is weakened. Experts distinguish several types of herpes infection. The most common among them are:

Simple - characterized by the appearance of a rash on the subcutaneous fatty tissue of the lips, wings of the nose, and skin near the mouth. With widespread infection of this type, fever, weakness, and muscle pain may occur.
Genital (genital) - the location of the rash is the head of the penis in men and the skin of the labia in women. Patients complain of itching and burning sensation in the affected areas, pain in the lower abdomen and lower back. If the course is complex and untreated, a viral infection can cause complications in women in the form of cervical cancer.
Shingles - represents multiple foci of blisters that spread throughout the body. The causative agent of the disease is the varicella zoster virus. Shingles is contagious and requires timely comprehensive treatment. The rash may be accompanied by high fever and poor health, constant itching.

Complications

Without adequate treatment for cutaneous herpes, patients can experience a number of dangerous complications.. Severe consequences are manifested by the occurrence of the following diseases:

hepatitis;
encephalitis;
pneumonia of viral origin;
partial paralysis;
myocarditis;
chronic forms of neuralgia;
meningitis;
arthritis.

Pregnancy

During primary infection of pregnant women with clinical manifestations on the body, the risk of transmitting the virus to the child is very high. Infection of the mother can lead to the following consequences:

Pathologies of fetal development - the occurrence of intrauterine infection, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth.
Disorders associated with the course of pregnancy - its termination, polyhydramnios, premature birth.
Pathologies of a newborn child - congenital herpes, prematurity, malformations of the baby, insufficient body weight.

The severity and symptoms of body herpes are determined by the stage of pregnancy when it occurs. Depending on the trimester, the consequences are as follows:

In the early stages of pregnancy, the disease can cause miscarriage or fetal death.
In the second trimester, the appearance of a herpetic rash in the mother can cause developmental abnormalities in the child that are incompatible with life.
The disease in its later stages causes harm to the mother and fetus. The baby may develop serious hearing and vision defects, damage to the central nervous system, heart defects, and physical disorders.

Recurrences of sexual herpes are less dangerous. This disease can cause infection of the child during childbirth, so it is recommended to cure it before the process begins. If the disease cannot be treated and the symptoms do not disappear, the woman must have a caesarean section. Doctors can diagnose the presence of a herpes virus in a baby, which can manifest itself on the body, and prescribe appropriate treatment only a few days after birth.

Treatment of herpes on the body

Self-treatment of a herpes virus localized on the skin of the body is not recommended, since the disease can cause serious complications. The treatment of the disease includes various medications. Physiotherapeutic procedures will help to defeat the manifestations of the virus in children and the elderly in the early stages. It is useful to use folk remedies and vitamin therapy. To improve the condition, you should follow diet and personal hygiene.

Drugs

A competent doctor must draw up a drug treatment regimen for herpes localized on the skin of the body. Several groups of drugs are used to treat the disease:

antiviral drugs in tablets or injections (Acyclovir, Virolex, Zovirax);
external antiviral medications (Gerperax, Acyclovir, Viru-Merz Serol);
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and painkillers (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Lidocaine);
antiseptics (Miramistin, Chlorhexidine, streptocide);
immunomodulators (Cycloferon, Polyoxidanium).

The main goal of therapy is to fight the virus. The most effective and popular among antiherpetic drugs are the following medications:

Acyclovir– a popular and effective antiviral drug. The medicine is available in the form of cream, ointment, tablets and powder for injection. The effectiveness of the drug is explained by its ability to inhibit the DNA synthesis of the herpes virus. The advantages of the medicine include the fact that, in addition to the main effect, it helps strengthen the immune system. Any form of the drug has a minimum list of contraindications. The cream is prescribed for a course of 5-10 days. The substance is applied to the rashes every 4 hours. The ointment should be applied at the same frequency. The optimal amount is considered to be a strip 1 cm long. The ointment should be used until the symptoms are completely eliminated. Acyclovir tablets are prescribed orally every 4 hours, 200 mg.
Fenistil Pencivir– a topical medicine for antiviral therapy. The indication for its use is recurrent herpes simplex. The advantage of the drug is the absence of contraindications, except for the age of up to 12 years, hypersensitivity to the components of the medication. The cream should be squeezed onto the tip of your finger and applied to pimples every 2 hours. The course of therapy is 4 days.
Famciclovir– an antiviral agent used for infection with herpes viruses. The drug is dispensed in the form of tablets. The medication is suitable for the treatment of adults who are not allergic to the active substance. You need to take the drug in a dose of 250-500 mg. The frequency and duration of use is determined by the doctor.

Physiotherapy

One of the effective methods of treating herpes is physiotherapy. It helps improve immunity, relieve pain, and disinfect wounds. The following types of physiotherapy are used:

Ultraviolet irradiation - the procedure is aimed at relieving pain sensitivity and accelerating recovery. It involves exposing affected areas of the body to UV light. The course of treatment is designed for 5 procedures, which must be carried out once every 2-3 days.
Infrared laser therapy – IR radiation absorbed by tissues is transformed into heat. This effect helps reduce the sensitivity of nerve endings and stimulate skin regeneration processes. As a result, inflammations heal faster and pain disappears. The procedure is carried out in a lying position, the emitter is periodically moved along the affected areas. The course consists of 10 sessions.

Diet

To increase the effectiveness of treatment, patients with herpesvirus are advised to follow a diet. It is recommended to exclude cocoa and chocolate, seeds, nuts, fatty foods, and tomatoes from the diet. In the morning, instead of coffee, you should drink green tea. It is necessary to eat foods containing a lot of lysine: cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt, fermented baked milk, milk. Sea kale salad will saturate the body with iodine. Preference should be given to dishes made from potatoes, eggs and poultry, fresh fruits and vegetables. For additional immune support, take vitamins A, C, and E.

Folk remedies

When treating herpes, you can successfully use folk remedies. P Consult your doctor before using them. The following natural remedies can be used as home therapy:

Take a fresh aloe leaf, cut it into 2 parts crosswise to release the juice. Apply the plant to the rash site with the side with the liquid coming out. Place a bandage on top or secure the sheet with adhesive tape. Leave the resulting compress for several hours. The procedure must be repeated three times a day until symptoms disappear.
Buy propolis tincture at the pharmacy. Moisten a cotton swab with a small amount of product. Carefully burn blisters on the body 2-3 times/day until the formations crust over. After the procedure, lubricate the rash with cream with chamomile extract.
Buy tea tree, fir or camphor oil. Soak a cotton swab in the liquid. It is necessary to smear the bubbles with oil at least 3 times a day before the formations dry out.

Is it possible to wash with herpes?

Subjecting your body to water procedures for herpes is only allowed for hygiene purposes. It is necessary to avoid visiting the sauna and swimming pool, and staying in a hot shower for a long time. The patient must be guided by his condition. If his health is normal, there is no high temperature, then a cool shower will help relieve the itching. It is strictly forbidden to rub the body with a washcloth and towel. After crusts appear on the skin rash, the frequency of water treatments can be increased.

Prevention

To date, there are no effective preventive measures that would provide reliable protection against the disease. To minimize the possibility of contracting herpes, doctors recommend following a number of conditions:

try to avoid contact with patients who have symptoms of the disease;
maintain personal hygiene;
eat a balanced and nutritious diet, enrich your daily diet with amino acids, minerals and vitamins;
avoid stress, excessive emotional stress, ensure quality sleep;
give up bad habits;
in the absence of a permanent partner, practice only protected sex;
take medications to prevent immune failure.

Photo of skin herpes

Video

Herpes is one of the most common viruses; 90% of all people are its carriers.

Most adults are immune to it, and a newborn is protected by maternal antibodies for six months, if his mother has developed resistance to herpes.

But then the body needs to get over this virus in order to permanently form immunity to it. The task of adults is to properly treat the disease to avoid complications.

Of the two hundred types of herpes, six or seven are most common among children. It is transmitted by airborne droplets, as well as through contact with an infected person or with his personal belongings.

After infection, it may not manifest itself in any way until suitable conditions arise, for example, stress, hypothermia, overheating, or a cold. The role of a trigger can be played by any effect on the child’s body, leading to a decrease in immunity.

Herpes on a child's face photo

Herpes is also transmitted to the child from the mother if she was a carrier during pregnancy.

After the herpes simplex blisters mature, they burst, become crusty and, when dry, fall off into scabs.

The most obvious symptom for both parents and doctors is the appearance of bubbles. Before their appearance, the child may be prescribed a number of tests, including an MRI of the brain.

Viral herpes in children on the body photo

Herpes in children on the lips

Children of school and kindergarten age especially often bring home the herpetic virus of the first type, which is expressed by the appearance of blisters on the lips.

Often, adults who suffer from this disease quite easily treat herpes simplex on their own, using the ones they are familiar with.

Important: Many people believe that this is just one of the manifestations of colds. This is a mistake.

Colds and herpes are inextricably linked, since the virus dormant in nerve cells waits for the immune system to be weakened by a cold in order to enter the active phase.

Children's herpes on the body photo

It is better to “catch” herpes on the lips at the very beginning of its development. You should start to worry if you have the following signs:

complains of pain or tingling in the lips or throat;
activity decreases;
appetite decreases.

If you deal with it in a timely manner and also follow other recommendations, the development of the virus can be stopped at the very beginning. Therefore, you should apply the ointment 3 to 5 times a day if bubbles do not appear. If they appear, the ointment is applied every 3 hours.

To avoid contracting the virus and infecting other family members, you must take precautions.

You should not touch the herpes that has broken out on your child’s body with your fingers; it is better to apply the ointment with a cotton swab, and after this procedure, wash your hands well with hot water and soap. You need to make sure that the child does not pick off the crusts on the bursting bubbles.

To prevent the affected areas from itching, use cold tea or chamomile compresses.

From the first day of exacerbation of herpes, you need to follow a diet: exclude smoked meats, citrus fruits, nuts and chocolate from the child’s diet and add fish, dairy products, vegetable oil and meat. It's worth taking a course of multivitamins.

Don't worry if herpes appears on children's bodies quite often. For parents, this is a sign that the child’s immunity is lacking something and that they need to reconsider their diet and lifestyle.

But if herpes on the lips and body occurs periodically, up to six or more times a year, a visit to a dermatologist and a specialized center cannot be postponed. This frequency of herpes manifestations is a signal of abnormalities in the child’s immune system.

Genital herpes in children

The appearance of herpes on the genitals of children is not only a sign of younger teenagers, although this is one of the reasons.

You can become infected by using the personal belongings of a virus carrier: soap, towels, linen.

If a child visits a swimming pool or shower in a sports section, you should definitely have a conversation with him about personal hygiene.

Very often, the development of various kinds of diseases begins in the body of children.

Parents do not always pay attention to the changes taking place.

Unfortunately, inattention can lead to...

About the virus and its manifestations

Taking ointments and creamy preparations: , . It is possible to use analogues. Ointments are intended not only to fight the virus, but also to restore the human immune system, as well as the baby.
Taking pills. Taking exactly the same tablets in the form of tablets is acceptable for complex treatment to achieve the most effective result. Taking the tablets must be continued for five days, 2-3 times per day. If the baby has an elevated body temperature, then it is, of course, necessary to ensure that paracetamol is taken. Temperature is quite normal with this disease. If children are bothered by itching, it is best to use the drug in tablet form - Suprastin. Taking these tablets must be continued for 3-5 days to achieve results.
Use of creams. Creams are also in demand in the treatment of herpes, especially in children. The most effective creams still remain: Panthenol and Zovirax.
. The use of injections is also possible in the treatment of herpes. and Imunofan is approved for treatment even for children. Determining the required dose of drugs is prescribed exclusively by a doctor. You are not allowed to independently determine the required dose of medication. Injections can fight the virus and also normalize the balance.

Important information from doctors

When diagnosing this disease, it is necessary first of all to provide children with clothing, as well as bedding made from natural fabrics. Choose loose clothing that does not come into contact with the body and the part of the skin where the disease is actively developing.

The child must receive the required amount of vitamins, as well as beneficial microelements present in food products, throughout the entire period of time. Provide additional supplements by consulting your doctor.

Your daily routine is another key to success. The baby should follow his own established routine and get the necessary amount of healthy sleep, as well as walking in the fresh air.

Avoiding hypothermia is another condition according to which you can protect children from the disease.

In conclusion, I would like to note that the health of a child is quite a big responsibility. It is necessary to provide all conditions for the baby’s health, as well as protect him from possible contact with infected people and children.

Every parent should know that choosing their own treatment method, as well as the dosage of medications, is prohibited. Any child has increased sensitivity to certain components contained in medications. It is worth paying attention to this and finding out in advance which components can provoke an allergic reaction, and which ones can actually help in solving this problem.

Quite often, parents can detect herpes on the child’s body. This virus can cause significant discomfort in infants and is extremely dangerous for them. Read on to learn all about herpes, causes, symptoms and methods of treatment. Herpes is an extremely common viral infection.

Herpes viruses are ubiquitous and have a wide variety of symptoms depending on where in the body the infection begins, the child's immune status, and whether the symptoms reflect primary or recurrent disease. Herpes can affect the skin, eyes, mouth and genitals. The disease tends to be mild and self-limiting, except in children with weakened defense systems and newborns, in whom the disease can be severe and life-threatening.

Pediatrician, gastroenterologist

There are eight known herpes viruses that infect people.

Herpes simplex virus

HSV-1 usually causes sores around the mouth, and HSV-2 causes blisters on the genitals, but these two types of virus can be associated with both sets of symptoms.

Varicella zoster virus

This type causes chickenpox. The virus can also cause a recurring skin infection called herpes zoster or shingles. Shingles occurs when the dormant varicella zoster virus from the initial attack of chickenpox is reactivated. Like HSV-1, herpes zoster likes to infect skin and nerve cells. Because a number of nerve cells are often affected, shingles is usually much more serious than a relapse of HSV. The lesions appear in the form of a stripe appearing on one side of the body, and are often accompanied by tingling, itching, and severe pain.

Epstein-Barr virus

The virus is the main cause of infectious mononucleosis. The disease most often affects older children. Infection in early childhood is common but often undiagnosed.

Cytomegalovirus

CMV is also a cause of mononucleosis. In children with a healthy defense system, the virus may not even cause any symptoms. In immunocompromised individuals, symptoms will vary according to the age and immune status of the child at the time of or after infection. This is a common cause of congenital infections.

Human herpes virus 6

HHV-6 causes roseola (a disease characterized by high fever and skin rash in young children) and many other diseases associated with high fever at this age. This infection accounts for many cases of infantile febrile seizures.

Human herpes virus 7

Closely related to HHV-6 is HHV-7. Like other types of herpes, they are very common: most people in the world have been infected with them. HHV-7 is also the cause of roseola, but it is unclear what other clinical manifestations this virus causes.

Human herpes virus 8

HHV-8 was recently discovered in tumors called Kaposi's Sarcoma. They occur in patients with AIDS. They are very rare in healthy people. HHV-8 can also cause other types of cancer, including lymphomas (cancer of the lymph nodes) associated with AIDS.

Routes of infection

Most children are protected by their mothers' antibodies. However, this protection is sometimes not enough. Infants usually contract herpes in one of two ways: vertical or horizontal transmission.

Vertical path involves transmission of the virus through the birth canal. This can happen if the mother has a genital herpes infection.

Remember that HSV-1 and HSV-2 can affect the genitals. Even when the mother is not having an outbreak, the virus can be released from cells in the birth canal and transmitted to the baby, usually through the eyes or abrasions. This is the most common form of transmission of the virus in newborns.

In some very rare cases, the virus can actually be passed through the placenta to the baby during pregnancy. This is called “intrauterine infection” and can cause spontaneous abortion, growth retardation, and hydrocephalus. Intrauterine infection usually occurs only when the mother is primarily infected with herpes while pregnant.

Horizontal transmission involves infection from another person after birth. The source could be a shared toy, cup or utensil. A kiss from an infected relative or friend can also lead to infection.

Finally, herpes can be transmitted through a mother's breast milk if the mother is infected.

Symptoms

Manifestations of herpes depend on the severity of the infection, its location, and the stage of the disease. For the most part, herpes prefers mucous membranes. However, any area of the body can be affected by the virus.

Herpetic gingivostomatitis (a disease of the mouth and gums) most often affects children from six months to 5 years. This is a very painful condition with a sudden onset, pain in the mouth, drooling, refusal to eat or drink, and a fever of up to 40.0 - 40.6 ° C. The gums become noticeably swollen and ulcers can develop throughout the mouth, including the gums, lips , tongue, palate, tonsils, pharynx and skin around the mouth.

In older children and adolescents, the initial stage of herpes may manifest itself as pharyngitis and tonsillitis, rather than gingivostomatitis. Signs of the virus may be indistinguishable from those of streptococcal pharyngitis and include fever, malaise, headache, sore throat and white plaques on the tonsils. The course of the disease is usually longer than with streptococcal pharyngitis.

Cold on the lips

This disease is the most common manifestation of relapses of HSV-1. The lips are most often affected, although lesions sometimes appear on the nose, chin, cheek or oral mucosa.

Skin diseases

In a healthy child or adolescent, herpetic skin diseases are usually the result of skin trauma with macro- or micro-abrasions and infection with infectious secretions. Pain, burning, itching or tingling often precedes a herpetic eruption. Cutaneous herpes infection results in multiple separate lesions and affects a large surface area.

Herpetic whitlow

This term is usually used to refer to herpetic diseases of the fingers and toes. Among children, this condition is most often seen in infants and toddlers under 3 years of age with an oral herpes infection who frequently put their hands in their mouth.

The onset of the disease is indicated by itching, pain and inflammation 2 to 7 days after exposure. The cuticle becomes inflamed and sensitive. The lesions and associated pain usually persist for about 10 days, followed by rapid improvement and complete recovery after 18 to 20 days.

Genital herpes

Classic primary genital herpes may be preceded by a short period of burning and tenderness before blisters develop on the mucous membranes or keratinized skin of the genitals, and sometimes around the anus or on the buttocks and thighs. The blisters (vesicles) on mucosal surfaces are short-lived and rupture, forming small, tender ulcers covered with a yellowish-gray exudate and surrounded by an inflamed border.

Patients may experience quite severe inflammation of the urethra (urethritis) and urinary dysfunction (dysuria). Significant local pain and systemic symptoms such as headache, fever and myalgia are common. The course of treatment for classic primary genital herpes from onset to complete healing is 2 to 3 weeks.

Repeated genital herpes is usually less severe and shorter-lived than the initial infection. Some patients experience previous pain, burning and tingling in the area where blisters subsequently develop.

Genital diseases caused by HSV-1 and HSV-2 are indistinguishable, but HSV-1 causes significantly fewer subsequent episodes of recurrent infection; therefore, knowing which virus causes the infection has important prognostic implications.

Eye diseases

Herpes can affect the conjunctiva, cornea or retina. Conjunctivitis or keratoconjunctivitis (inflamed conjunctiva and cornea) is usually unilateral. The conjunctiva appears swollen, but there is rarely purulent discharge. Vesicles can be seen along the edges of the eyelid and on the skin around the eyes. Patients usually develop a fever.

Diseases of the central nervous system

Herpetic encephalitis is almost always caused by HSV-1. The disease may manifest itself as nonspecific symptoms, including fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, and convulsions. Uncontrolled disease progresses to coma and death in 75% of cases.

Neonatal herpes is never asymptomatic. Its clinical presentation reflects the timing of infection, the site of entry of infection, and the extent of spread. Infants with intrauterine infection usually have vesicles and scars on the skin, keratoconjunctivitis, and microcephaly or hydrocephalus. Few infants survive without treatment, and those who are given treatment usually have serious consequences.

Infants infected during or after birth have 1 of the following 3 types of illness:

disease localized to the skin, eyes or mouth;
encephalitis with or without skin, eye and mouth disease;
spread of infection involving several organs, including the brain, lungs, liver, heart, adrenal glands and skin.

What does herpes look like on a child's body?

Stage No. 1: Redness of the skin (Prodromal stage)

As soon as the herpes virus comes into contact with the skin, it causes a tingling sensation and slight tightening of the affected area. The affected area of skin then turns red. After a few days (1 - 2 days), the child may experience severe itching and/or irritation of the affected area. Some people complain of pain in this area.

Stage No. 2: Inflammation and swelling

There are not many people who can recognize the prodromal stage, so rapid diagnosis at this stage is rare. If the early signs of a herpes outbreak, such as redness and itching, are not assessed and treated at the right time, then the area of skin becomes swollen and inflamed. Although the swelling of the affected area may be severe, in some cases it is not noticeable.

Stage #3: Vesicle Eruption

Soon, small red bumps appear at the site of swelling, which transform into small bubbles filled with liquid. This is the stage when noticeable symptoms of herpes first appear. Blisters are clear, whitish or reddish in color, appearing in groups or scattering (rarely). The blisters, which are tender and painful to the touch, usually remain for 2 days.

Stage No. 4: The appearance of ulcers

This stage lasts only one day. Once the blisters rupture and begin to leak fluid, moist ulcers develop in the affected skin area. This is the most painful and contagious stage of herpes. Wet ulcers are reddish, look like fresh wounds and are very sensitive to the touch. They rise slightly above the level of the surrounding skin, which is not affected by inflammatory changes.

Step #5: Drying and crusting

This stage begins the initial phase of ulcer healing. As wet sores begin to heal, a dry scab forms and eventually hardens. When the sores completely disappear, new skin develops under the scab. Duration is 2 - 3 days. This stage is characterized by increased dryness, pain and itching. Excessive dryness can cause skin cracks and bleeding.

Stage #6: Complete Healing

Over the next few days, the crust on the skin dries and gradually falls off, leaving new skin underneath. Herpes sores usually heal without scarring of the skin. However, a scar may remain if the scabs are removed before complete healing. In case of scarring, an ointment for external use against scars is used. This last stage of herpes can last 4 days. Painful to the touch, the blisters usually remain for 2 days.

Treatment

In children, herpes will clear up without treatment within about one to two weeks. There are a number of ways to speed up the healing process.

Children at risk of complications are given antiviral therapy, often in hospital. To shorten the course of the disease and reduce the likelihood of spreading the virus, the doctor will prescribe oral antiviral drugs or topical agents. Systemic medications help shorten the time of illness, and creams and ointments reduce symptoms. Three antiviral drugs are available to treat herpes, namely acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir. All 3 are available for oral use, but only acyclovir is available as a suspension.

Acyclovir has the lowest bioavailability and therefore requires more frequent dosing.
Valaciclovir and famciclovir have very good oral bioavailability and are taken once or twice daily.

Acyclovir and penciclovir are also available in ointment and cream forms, but they provide limited benefit to patients with recurrent mucocutaneous herpes infections.

Only acyclovir is prepared as a solution for intravenous administration.

Early initiation of treatment results in maximum therapeutic benefit. All 3 drugs are safe for use in children.

Other home treatments include using a cold compress or taking a pain reliever.

Prevention

Standard prevention of herpes is hygiene and protecting the child from hypothermia. Prevention of neonatal infection is somewhat more difficult. There are a number of measures:

Before planning a pregnancy the woman should be examined. If you have herpes, it should be treated:

The gynecologist should regularly monitor the condition of the birth canal of a pregnant woman, since herpes may recur during pregnancy;
If an outbreak occurs before the 36th week of pregnancy, the expectant mother will be prescribed standard antiviral therapy with acyclovir. After such treatment, childbirth can occur naturally;
If the infection appears after 36 weeks of pregnancy, a caesarean section is recommended.

After birth The main preventative measure is long-term breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed your baby if the herpes rash is directly on her.

In the future The child should be protected from contact with carriers of the infection. Do not allow him to come into contact with people with characteristic lip ulcers.