Experience with Panavir treatment of herpes viral infection in patients with rheumatic diseases

The causative agent of herpes is one of those viruses that, once introduced into the body, remain in it forever. How can you protect yourself from a dangerous disease? And how to resist infection if infection does occur?

Herpes (from the Greek herpete, meaning “to crawl”) is a widespread disease caused by viruses of the Herpesviridae family, which has about 100 microorganisms and is characterized by a variety of clinical manifestations, usually a chronic course, as well as various routes of transmission of infectious agents. Of the large family of herpes viruses, only 8 cause human diseases.

Simple recurrent (recurring) herpes is a disease caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), manifested by itchy rashes in the form of blisters (vesicles), which can occur on any part of the skin and mucous membranes. The infection rate of the world's population with HSV is extremely high, more than 95%.

There are two main groups of HSV: types 1 and 2 (HSV-1. HSV-11). HSV-1 most often causes lesions on the skin of the face (popularly called “fever” or “cold”) and upper extremities, while HSV-11 causes lesions on the genitals.

The journey of the virus in the body

The source of HSV infection is a patient or a virus carrier (there are no external manifestations of the disease, but the virus is excreted in saliva, urine, and discharge from the genitourinary system). The virus is transmitted by contact, airborne droplets, blood transfusions and organ transplants. During pregnancy, infection of the fetus can occur transplacentally (through the placenta) and during childbirth.

It has been established that in 40% of cases, primary HSV infection occurs by airborne droplets in early childhood, and the source of infection, as a rule, is family members who have active signs of herpes infection (usually recurrent herpes of the lips). The herpes simplex virus enters the body through injured skin or mucous membranes (red border of the lips, mucous membranes of the mouth, genitals, conjunctiva) - where typical blistering rashes appear (the result of the activity of the virus), and penetrates the bloodstream and lymphatic system. Viral particles reach the nerve nodes (ganglia) of the central nervous system, where they remain inactive for life. For example, with herpes of the face, the virus is stored in the ganglia of the trigeminal nerve, and with herpes of the genitals - in the ganglia of the lumbosacral spine. From the nerve ganglia, viral particles begin to move to the periphery - the skin, mucous membranes, and a focus of infection develops during a relapse.

Under certain conditions, HSV multiplies in lymphocytes (blood cells), which leads to their damage and disruption of the genetic mechanisms that control immune responses. Clinically, this manifests itself in frequent colds, decreased performance, weakness, increased body temperature, and enlarged lymph nodes.

A recurrent course of the disease is observed in 17-50% of the population infected with HSV. Exacerbations of herpes occur after various provoking factors: hypothermia, mental or physical trauma (dental, gynecological medical procedures), alcohol intake, against the background of hormonal surges (“menstrual herpes”). “Solar herpes” is known, which appears under the influence of ultraviolet rays.

However, it is worth noting that the herpes virus may never manifest itself as a disease during a person’s life.

Methods of infection with viruses

Infection with viruses can occur through airborne droplets, household contact, sexual contact and blood contact. Infection is possible both from patients and from carriers of the virus. The infection persists for a long time in a dried state and can be easily transmitted through household items: cups, towels, toys. The virus also spreads through saliva, blood, vesicle contents, semen, vaginal secretions and other body media.

Infection often occurs in the form of autoinoculation, which involves mechanical transfer of viral particles from one site to another. For example, the virus can spread through the skin and mucous membranes when scratching.

Susceptibility upon contact is quite high. It is believed that about 90% of the adult population are carriers of one type or another of herpes and up to 25% suffer from recurrent forms. As a rule, when examining frequently ill children and adults, several herpes viruses are detected at the same time.

Many-sided, insidious

The properties of HSV are such that almost all human organs can be involved in the infectious process, which allows us to speak of herpes as a “herpetic disease” with a predominant lesion of one or another organ system. For example, the eyes, ENT organs (pharynx, larynx, ear), lungs, genitals, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system (meninges, nerves), skin and mucous membranes (face, lips, oral mucosa) may be affected. ) etc.

The frequency and intensity of exacerbations of recurrent herpes depend on the activity (aggressiveness) of the pathogen, as well as on the resistance of the human body.

Exacerbations of herpes infection are not always accompanied by the appearance of typical rashes in the form of blisters. The insidiousness of herpes lies in the fact that very often a person, without knowing it, becomes a source of infection for others. This applies to both facial herpes and genital herpes, which often manifests itself only in severe pain (in the facial area or in the pelvis, respectively).

When herpes worsens (when rashes appear), the patient becomes acutely contagious. Kissing a loved one or relative during an exacerbation can lead to the appearance of herpes in a previously healthy person. In addition, under unfavorable circumstances and failure to comply with personal hygiene rules, conditions for self-infection may arise. Thus, the virus can be carried from a lesion on the lips by hands into the eyes and genitals. In the presence of microtraumas in these areas, new foci of the disease arise: ocular herpes or genital herpes.

Genital herpes

Genital herpes (GG) is one of the most common infections of the genitourinary system, most often caused by HSV-11. Infection occurs through close physical contact with a patient or virus carrier during genital, oral-genital, genitorectal and oral-anal contact. There are primary and recurrent genital herpes.

With primary genital herpes, the incubation period (the period from infection to the appearance of the first symptoms of infection) is 1-10 days and differs from subsequent relapses in a more severe and prolonged course. Clinical symptoms of primary HH develop in only 10% of infected people and are characterized by the appearance on the mucous membranes of the genital organs and adjacent areas of the skin of single erosions or grouped small blisters filled with liquid, with redness around them. After 2-4 days, the contents of the blisters become cloudy, and they burst, forming weeping ulcers, which then heal. Subjectively, patients are bothered by itching, burning, and pain in the affected area. Some patients experience an increase in body temperature up to 38°C and a painful enlargement of the inguinal lymph nodes. If the course of the disease is favorable, after 5-7 days the crusts disappear and a stain remains in their place. Even without treatment, symptoms usually go away on their own within 2-3 weeks. Subsequently, for many, the disease recurs, and the time until the next relapse can range from several weeks to several years.

Recurrent genital herpes is characterized by a chronic course, disruption of the patient’s sexual and reproductive functions. The disease is difficult to treat. Herpetic rashes can appear on the labia majora and minora, vaginal mucosa, cervix, and perineum. The duration of the rash does not exceed 3-5 days. In some cases, during a relapse, visible rashes are not detected at all, but swelling, itching, and a feeling of discomfort in the genital area appear. The disease may be accompanied by fever, general weakness and malaise, enlargement and tenderness of the inguinal lymph nodes (usually on one side).

A feature of genital herpes is multifocality: the pathological process often involves the lower part of the urethra (urethra, bladder, which is manifested by pain and pain at the beginning of urination, frequent urination) and the mucous membrane of the rectum (recurrent cracks occur), as well as the upper parts of the genital tract (uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes). In the latter case, the appearance of mucous discharge from the vagina, periodic pain in the pelvis, in the area of ​​​​the projection of the uterus, ovaries (symptoms of irritation of the pelvic nerve plexus) are possible. Moreover, these symptoms are often associated with a certain phase of the menstrual cycle (with ovulation or the perimenstrual period). It is not uncommon that the viral nature of the disease is not recognized, and patients are treated for a long time by gynecologists with antibacterial and antifungal drugs to no avail.

Experience with Panavir treatment of herpes viral infection in patients with rheumatic diseases

Eliseeva L.N., Samorodskaya N.A., Malkhasyan I.G., Vasinova Yu.V. Kuban State Medical University, Krasnodar

One of the most pressing problems of modern healthcare is the almost universal increase in the prevalence of viral infections. According to statistical studies in Russia and other countries, clinical manifestations of viral lesions are detected in each resident on average 4-6 times a year [1]. The most common and poorly controlled in humans is the herpes viral infection. To date, more than 80 representatives of the family of herpes viruses (Herpesviridae) are known, of which 8 types of DNA-containing viruses with a single morphology that cannot be differentiated by electron microscopy are pathogenic for humans.

When entering the body of a person with a normal immune system, herpes simplex viruses (HSV) can circulate in tissues asymptomatically and are concentrated in the paravertebral sensory ganglia in a latent state in the form of L-PREP particles, but in people with immunosuppression they cause severe recurrent diseases [2] . The herpes virus has polytropic properties and various tissues can be involved in the pathological process with the development of various clinical forms of the disease in the form of lesions:

• skin (herpes of the lips, wings of the nose, face, hands, buttocks);
• mucous membranes (stomatitis, gingivitis, pharyngitis);
• eye (conjunctivitis, keratitis, iridocyclitis, uveitis);
• genitalia (inflammatory, vesicular and ulcerative damage to the penis, testicles, vulva, vagina, cervical canal);
• nervous system (meningitis, encephalitis, neuritis, menigoencephalitis);
• visceritis (pneumonia, hepatitis, esophagitis) [3].

Frequent relapses and insufficient effectiveness of therapy cause severe psychological discomfort in patients, and in some cases are a trigger for the formation of autoimmune diseases and neoplastic progression.

The most pressing issue is the fight against viral infection in rheumatology patients. Almost all rheumatic diseases (RD) are pathogenetically associated with disorders of the immune status, and patients are doomed in most cases to constant use of immunosuppressive drugs (glucocorticosteroids, cytostatics) as mandatory (basic) or symptomatic (prescribed for a short time). Being mainly vital for patients with RD, these groups of drugs, on the one hand, reduce antiviral protection and induce the replicative phase of a viral infection, on the other hand, they can be life-threatening when taken against the background of a viral infection (for example, cases of death have been reported while taking methotrexate in patients with herpes viral infection).

Particular problems arise in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) receiving anti-cytokine drugs (genetically engineered biological agents) - against the background of which herpes infection is activated or clinically manifested for the first time, which prevents adequate therapy for RA. Thus, out of 28 patients observed by us in the registry of patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving infliximab, 12 people had a new or recurrent herpetic infection, which required in 2 cases to abandon anti-cytokine therapy after the 7th infusion, and in the remaining patients to increase the time between drug administration.

The drugs currently used to combat the virus are conventionally divided into 3 groups based on their chemical composition, mechanism of action, spectrum of activity and duration of clinical effect: 1) etiotropic chemotherapy drugs; 2) interferons and their inducers; 3) immunomodulators. Drugs of the first group mainly have specific antiviral activity; drugs of the second and third groups nonspecifically protect the body’s cells from viral aggression [4].

In recent years, the issue of ambiguous sensitivity of patients to the drugs used has been discussed; development of virus resistance to drugs; the need to use combination therapy, which determines the relevance of the search for effective and safe antiviral drugs.

The new domestic antiviral drug Panavir is attracting special attention. The active substance of Panavir is a plant biologically active polysaccharide from the class of hexose glycosides consisting of glucose (38.5%), galactose (14.5%), rhamnose (9.0%), mannose (2.5%), xylose (1. 5%), uronic acids (3.5%). Currently, dosage forms are registered for clinical use in the form of a 0.004% solution for intravenous infusion, rectal suppositories 200 μg and gel for external and local use.

Panavir has been successfully tested in many medical institutions and research institutes of the Russian Federation. It has been proven that the drug Panavir does not have mutagenic, embryotoxic, teratogenic, pyrogenic and hemolytic properties, has low toxicity, and a large therapeutic range. In medical practice, Panavir is recommended for the treatment of herpesvirus infections (the substance Panavir is registered in the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, R No. 00022999/02-2001) [5,6,7].

However, in the group of patients with rheumatic diseases, the effectiveness and safety of their use in relation to the RD itself has not been sufficiently studied. There are a few studies confirming the effectiveness of Panavir in RA [R.M. Balabanova, 2006; HE. Egorova, 2007; N.E. Lopatina, 2009; Y.A.Katz, 2010]. Despite the small group of patients examined, they open a new path to the prevention and treatment of immunocompromised patients, such as patients with rheumatic diseases.

In light of the above, we studied the effectiveness and safety of Panavir in 25 patients with rheumatic diseases with manifestations of herpes viral infection, comparing them with control groups differing in treatment regimen and concomitant diseases.

Materials and methods

The study involved 37 patients, of whom three groups were formed: the main group, the first, the second and the third comparison groups:

The first group consisted of 25 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and herpes infection (HI), who, against the background of unchanged basic therapy for RA, received Panavir according to the standard regimen;

The second group included: 5 with herpetic infection without RA receiving Panavir;

Third group: 7 patients with RA and HI not receiving Panavir treatment.

The viral infection was represented by the following types: in the first group, 25 patients were examined with clinical signs of herpes infection, which manifested itself in 16 (64%) people - herpes simplex, 6 (24%) people - herpes zoster, 3 (12%) patients - genital herpes against the background of rheumatic diseases.

In the first group, 17 (68%) patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), eight of whom were on anticytokine therapy with Remicade (3 after the fifth and 5 after the seventh infusion), were diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in 4 (16%) patients. , 3 (12%) patients with systemic scleroderma (SSc), 1 (4%) patient was diagnosed with eosinophilic pneumonia.

The second group for Panavir consisted of 5 patients without rheumatic diseases, in whom herpes labialis developed after hypothermia, as well as prolonged emotional and physical stress.

The third group consisted of 7 patients with RA on the background of basic therapy with methotrexate, with an aggravated herpes viral infection; antiviral therapy was not used in the treatment due to the patients’ refusal of additional treatment.

Panavir was administered intravenously at a dose of 5.0 ml, intravenously, No. 5 per course: the interval between injections for the first three was 48 hours, the next two were 72 hours. The duration of observation was 2 months.

The severity of the febrile syndrome, the volume (area) of the lesion, the severity of the pain syndrome according to VAS (0 – no pain, 100 mm – the most severe pain), and the rate of dynamic change were assessed visually. The general condition of the patient on a 100-point scale (0 - very poor condition, 100 - excellent condition), the presence of side and undesirable effects. Additionally, changes in the nature of the course of rheumatic disease and the need for basic and NSAID therapy were analyzed.

results

The typical clinical picture of a herpes viral infection (in people without severe somatic diseases) is characterized by the appearance of edematous erythema of varying degrees of intensity. Against the background of this erythema, grouped bubbles (vesicles) with a diameter of 1 to 3-4 mm2 with a tense tire and serous transparent contents quickly appear. The number of such vesicles varies significantly - from single elements to several dozen. After a few days, the contents of the bubbles become cloudy, they open and erosions with fine scalloped outlines form.

After 3-5 days, honey-yellow loose crusts form at the site of collapsed blisters and erosions, after which epithelization occurs. In the normal course of herpes, the process lasts 1.5-2 weeks, occasionally extending to a month. Clinical manifestations of relapse are usually less pronounced. Relapses of herpes simplex occur with a frequency of 1-2 times a year to several times a month. Provoking factors are other infectious diseases accompanied by fever, hypothermia, UV irradiation, mental or physical stress, acute dysfunction or cyclical (menstruation) changes in hormonal status [4].

In the second group of patients we examined who did not have rheumatic diseases, typical clinical manifestations of herpetic infection were noted (Table 1). The total average area of ​​the lesion was 1.5 ± 0.6 cm2, body temperature was 37.6 ± 1.3 g, pain at the site of the lesion on the VAS scale reached 6.2 ± 1.3 cm, the general condition was assessed by patients on average as 57.8 ±3.4 points. After prescribing Panavir, improvement was observed on average after 3.8±1.3 days, and patients noted complete recovery on average after 7.1±2.1 days. On the fourth day of observation, body temperature completely normalized, the total area of ​​the lesion decreased by 73.3%, the severity of pain decreased by 53.2%, and overall health improved by 43.9%.

When comparing the effectiveness of treatment in the first group with herpes infection and with rheumatic diseases, an earlier improvement in the condition of patients treated with Panavir was noted. So the improvement is 2 days earlier, and complete recovery is 3.9 days earlier. In the first group of patients with RA + HI, by the fourth day the area affected by herpetic infection decreased by an average of 55.6% (versus 32.4% of patients in group 3 with RA + HI without antiviral therapy). The severity of pain changed similarly (in the observation group it decreased by 51.6% in the first group, versus 19.7% in the third comparison group). The general condition in the first group by the fourth day of observation improved by 36.0% (versus 17.0% in the third comparison group).

Table 1. Panavir in the treatment of herpes infection in rheumatological patients

When Panavir was used by patients in the group with rheumatoid arthritis and herpes simplex virus and in the group of patients with herpes infection without rheumatoid arthritis, no side effects or adverse events were identified in any case. No disturbances were identified during the course of rheumatic diseases. None of the patients with RA required changes in the basic and symptomatic therapy regimen.

Thus, the use of Panavir in patients with rheumatic diseases and concomitant herpetic infection contributes to a more rapid elimination of the clinical symptoms of the underlying disease and viral infection, does not aggravate the course of the rheumatic disease, and does not cause side effects or adverse events. Panavir for systemic administration can be recommended for use in the clinical practice of a rheumatologist.

Literature

1. Panavir. Experience of application in medical practice. Sergienko V.I., Podzolkova N.M., Osadchev V.B., Zhislina I.B. and others. M.2009.39p.

2. Batkaev E.A. Kitsak V.Ya., Korsunskaya I.M., Lipova E.V., Viral diseases of the skin and mucous membranes. Textbook, M., 2001.

3. Kolomiets A.G., Malevich Yu.K., Kolomiets N.D. The many faces of herpes: clinical and pathogenetic polymorphism of herpetic infection. - Minsk, 1988.

4. Chernova N.I. Herpetic infection: clinical picture, diagnosis, treatment. Methodological recommendations No. 38. M.2009. 20s.

5. Balabanova R.M., Egorova O.N., N.E. Lopatina et al. Comparative effectiveness of the drugs Panavir and Acyclovir in the complex therapy of rheumatoid arthritis complicated by herpetic infection // Sovrem. rheumat. – 2009; 2:42–47.

6. Egorova O.N., Balabanova R.M. Antiviral therapy for rheumatic diseases // Farmateka. – 2007; 6:90–94.

7. Sergienko V.I. Antiviral properties of the drug Panavir. – M., 2005.

8. Kats Y.A., The effectiveness of Panavir in some comorbid conditions // Doctor-2010;6: 47-48.

SUMMARY

We examined 25 patients with rheumatic diseases who were prescribed Panavir according to the traditional regimen for herpes infection. The comparison groups were 5 patients with herpes infection without rheumatic diseases treated with Panavir and 7 patients with herpes viral infection against the background of rheumatoid arthritis, in whose treatment antiviral therapy was not used. It has been established that the use of Panavir in patients with herpetic infection against the background of rheumatic diseases contributes to a more rapid elimination of the clinical symptoms of a viral infection, does not change the course of the rheumatic disease, does not cause side effects and undesirable effects and can be recommended for use in the clinical practice of a rheumatologist.

Key words: Panavir, herpes infection, rheumatic diseases.

Information about authors:

1. Eliseeva Lyudmila Nikolaevna, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Faculty Therapy, Kuban State Medical University 350020. Krasnodar, st. Gavrilova 23.apt.45
2. Samorodskaya Natalya Anatolyevna Candidate of Medical Sciences, assistant at the Department of Faculty Therapy of KSMU
3. Malkhasyan Irma Gagikovna – graduate student of the department of faculty therapy
4. Yulia Viktorovna Vasinova – graduate student of the Department of Faculty Therapy

Reviews about Panavir, questions, doctor's comments

Complications of genital herpes

Complications of genital herpes include dryness and the formation of painful bleeding cracks on the mucous membranes of the external genitalia, which occurs due to mechanical stress (for example, during sexual intercourse).

A special place among other complications is occupied by pain syndrome caused by specific herpetic neuralgia of the pelvic nerve plexus. In this case, women complain of periodically occurring nagging pain in the lower abdomen, in the area of ​​​​the projection of the ovaries, radiating to the lumbar region and rectum, pain in the perineum. Pain with recurrent herpes can occur regardless of the presence of skin rashes, which greatly complicates diagnosis. Recurrent genital herpes, disrupting the normal sex life of patients, often causes neuropsychiatric disorders and leads to conflicts in the family.

Genital herpes in some women causes miscarriage and infertility.

How is herpes transmitted to children?

The herpes virus is very common and lives in almost all living things. It is transmitted by airborne droplets and contact . Once the herpes virus enters the body, it remains there for life. However, it can be in a “sleeping” state and not bother a person. If the herpes virus in a child has made itself felt, parents need to pay attention to this problem, because some herpes infections can take forms that are dangerous to health.

Children become infected with the herpes virus more often than adults, but overprotecting a child from infection is pointless and harmful. immunity to it . But the body is safe only in a situation where the infection is easy and without complications.

Diagnostics

If you suspect the presence of herpes simplex, you should not self-medicate. It is urgent, without delay or masking the rash, to come to an appointment with a dermatovenerologist. A carefully collected anamnesis (questioning of the patient) is important for establishing the correct diagnosis. Herpes, regardless of the location of the pathological process, is characterized by a wave-like course, when painful states are replaced by periods of well-being, even without treatment. The presence of blistering rashes on the skin and mucous membranes, severe subjective symptoms (itching, burning) allows doctors to visually diagnose herpes simplex, prescribe treatment in a timely manner and inform the patient about the danger of infecting a sexual partner.

Only laboratory research methods, which are fundamentally divided into two groups, can reliably confirm the herpetic nature of the disease in the absence of typical manifestations on the skin and mucous membranes:

• isolation and identification of HSV from infected material (material for analysis are scrapings from the lesion, blood, urine, saliva, tear fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, discharge of the cervical canal, vagina, urethra, rectum);
• detection of specific antibodies (protective proteins) to the herpes virus in blood serum - serodiagnosis.

Features of herpetic infections

Herpes is a viral infection that is characterized by a variety of clinical manifestations and can affect various systems, organs, and tissues:

• nervous system;
• genitourinary system;
• skin and mucous membranes;
• eyes.

Herpetic infections are characterized by lifelong persistence—preservation in the host’s body. With any weakening of the immune system, the virus reactivates and the disease worsens. Exacerbation of infection can be caused by a variety of factors:

• overwork;
• hypothermia;
• stress;
• inadequate sleep;
• change in the climatic zone of residence;
• solar insolation;
• colds.

The severity of symptoms depends on the type and form of the virus. When the nervous system is damaged, the disease can lead to inflammation of the membranes of the spinal cord and brain and other dangerous complications. Therefore, it is very important to diagnose the infection in time and begin adequate therapy.

Isolation and identification of HSV

In specialized virology laboratories, HSV is isolated using the culture method. Its essence lies in the fact that the material for research (the contents of herpetic eruptions, human secretions) is placed on specially grown cells in which the virus begins to multiply. Then, after 5 days, the presence of HSV is determined by characteristic changes. Thus, we can say for sure that this disease is of a herpetic nature.

To identify the causative agent of HSV, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method is widely used, which makes it possible to find out what type of herpes virus is present in the body. The material for research is taken with a special brush from the rash sites. The PNR method is highly sensitive and is performed within 24–48 hours.

Herpes virus type 8

Herpes virus type 8 can cause Kaposi's sarcoma and Castleman's disease. Kaposi's sarcoma is a serious pathology that is accompanied by the appearance of malignant skin tumors. It is quite difficult, especially with immune deficiency. May be complicated by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the palate and lymph nodes.

Castleman's disease is a rare disease in which fever, enlargement of the liver and spleen, anemia, and a sharp decrease in body weight are observed.

Serodiagnosis

Antibodies to the herpes virus appear in the blood serum by 4-7 days after the initial infection, reach a peak after 2-3 weeks and can persist throughout life. The diagnosis is made by the characteristic increase in antibodies and determination of their class. For example, the detection of a certain level of immunoglobulin M (antibodies) indicates a primary infection of a person or an exacerbation of herpes. The detection of a certain level of immunoglobulin G indicates that the human body has encountered the virus and has developed antibodies - the person is infected, but not infectious to others. The result is known the next day. The analysis can be repeated at intervals of several days.

Diagnosis of herpes virus infections

The most informative laboratory tests for diagnosing herpesvirus infections are the PCR method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Depending on the location of the infectious process, blood, saliva, scrapings from the urethra, cervical canal, and vesicles can be examined.

During the diagnosis, the qualitative and quantitative content of immunoglobulins M and G is determined, as well as avidity, an indicator that can be used to assess how efficiently the immune system copes with the virus.

For more successful treatment, a general examination of the body is additionally performed to identify chronic infections. Sluggish chronic pathologies of the genitourinary, respiratory, digestive and other systems can support and cause exacerbation of herpesvirus infections.

Principles of treatment

Herpes can and should be treated. Currently, medicine has a whole arsenal of drugs that, in most cases, make it possible to obtain a lasting clinical effect in those who suffer from recurrent herpes and to successfully control periods of activation of the disease in asymptomatic forms. It is impossible to achieve complete removal of the virus from the body using currently existing treatment methods; it is possible to maintain the body in a state where the virus does not have a chance to activate. Currently, there are two main directions of treatment for herpes simplex:

• The use of antiviral drugs, the main place among which is occupied by acyclovir-containing (ACV) drugs. In case of exacerbation of herpes, the first aid remedy is medications containing acyclovir: ZOVIRAX, VAPTREX, ACICLOVIR-ACRI, VIROLEX. They are available in the form of tablets and creams. The same drugs are used locally in the form of cream and ointment. Taking these medications should begin in the first hours of an exacerbation.
• A complex treatment method that includes immunotherapy in combination with antiviral therapy. As a rule, the disease occurs against the background of suppressed immune reactions, so immunotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of herpes. If relapses of the disease are seasonal (autumn, spring) and they are accompanied by symptoms of ARVI, then to antiviral treatment with drugs containing acyclovir, it is advisable to add a course of drugs that stimulate the synthesis of interferon (a substance produced by the body and providing an antiviral effect): herbal immunostimulants (for example, IMMUNAL) and synthetic drugs such as ARBIDOL, AMEXIN, VIFERON, KIPFERON. Moreover, they can be used for preventive purposes about a month before the onset of autumn slush and spring hypovitaminosis). If relapses of herpes (at any location) occur more than 3-4 times a YEAR, this is a reason to consult a doctor. This means that the body's defenses (immunity) cannot cope with the infection. In such cases, after studying the immune status, the patient is prescribed complex treatment, including antiviral and immune drugs. In patients with recurrent herpes, the drugs TACTIVIN, TIMALIN, THIMOGEN, MYELOPID, etc. are successfully used (treatment must be carried out after an immunological study).

Treatment methods for herpes

Treatment of herpes is aimed at suppressing viral activity, as well as increasing immunity. Oral and topical medications may be prescribed.

The selection of drugs is carried out by a doctor depending on the type of disease (type of infection), as well as on the location of the lesion.

It is impossible to completely eliminate the herpes virus from the body. That is why it is important to always maintain the body’s defenses at a sufficiently high level, and also to prevent re-entry of the virus.

Prevention of herpes

If a person close to you has manifestations of herpes (“a cold has popped up on the lip”), try to ensure compliance with the following hygiene rules:

• use an individual towel and personal hygiene products (soap, toothbrush, etc.);
• be careful with cosmetics: do not use lipstick of a sick person;
• If you have genital herpes, avoid sexual intercourse.

Make an appointment Do not self-medicate. Contact our specialists who will correctly diagnose and prescribe treatment.

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Possible complications

Without timely and adequate treatment, herpes infection can cause severe complications:

• disruption of internal organs;
• eye diseases;
• deafness;
• sore throat;
• nervous and mental disorders;
• infertility.

Sources:

1. A.G. Side. Herpesvirus infections in children - an urgent problem of modern clinical practice // Children's infections, 2010, No. 2, pp. 3-7.
2. Taieb, N. Diris, F. Boralevu, C. Labreze. Herpes simplex in children. Clinical manifestations, diagnostic value of clinical signs, clinical course // Ann Dermatol Venerol, 2002, v.129, No. 4, p.603-608.
3. M.N. Kankasova, O.G. Mokhova, O.S. Pozdeeva. Frequently ill children: the view of an infectious disease specialist // Practical Medicine, 2014, No. 9(85), pp. 67-71.
4. I.F. Barinsky, L.M. Alimbarova, A.A. Lazarenko, F.R. Makhmudov, O.V. Sergeev. Vaccines as a means of specific immunocorrection for herpes infections // Questions of Virology, 2014, pp. 5-11.

The information in this article is provided for reference purposes and does not replace advice from a qualified professional. Don't self-medicate! At the first signs of illness, you should consult a doctor.