Herpes in a child: types, symptoms and treatment

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Herpes is a viral disease that affects different age groups, but it is children who are at risk. Bubble rashes characteristic of him on various parts of the body and mucous membranes bring a lot of discomfort to the crumbs, become a source of irritation. How to recognize the first attack of an insidious virus and get rid of it? This is what we will understand in the framework of this material.

Types

Herpes in a child causes real horror in parents. Treatment of a viral disease proceeds with the use of antibiotics, potent drugs that can cause great harm to the already weakened immune system of the baby. That is why it is so important to prevent its manifestation in time, minimizing all possibilities. Modern doctors distinguish several types of the disease. It is noteworthy that the herpes virus in children can appear even while they are in the womb or during labor.

Most often, the virus affects the skin and mucous membranes. Each type has its own "favorite" place on the human body, which it strikes. Therefore, the diseasecan proceed in different ways:

• 1 type - simple type, localized around the lips;
• 2 type - rash affecting the genital area;
• 3 type - herpes zoster in children, varicella (chickenpox);
• 4 type - the so-called Epstein-Barr virus, which is the causative agent of mononucleosis;
• 5 type - cytomegalovirus infection;
• 6 type is the cause of eczema in children.

We mentioned the main types of viral infection, but modern scientists name two more. It is customary to refer to the seventh chronic fatigue syndrome, characterized by sudden, at first glance, groundless skin rashes. At the moment, it has not been fully studied. But the eighth type is the cause of malignant neoplasms on the skin - sarcomas. The most common viruses today are types 1, 2 and 3.

Routes of infection

Herpes in a child, however, as in an adult, is a contagious disease. But it is transmitted, as a rule, in two ways:

• Airborne - quite often, children transmit chickenpox (chickenpox), shingles through the air. In this case, being close to each other is enough for infection.
• Direct contact - the virus is transmitted through hugs, handshakes and kisses. Quite often, infection occurs at home through common items: towels, dishes, doorknobs. This method of infection is typical for herpes of any type.

Infection can be transmittedfrom the mother to the child, even while he is in the womb. The virus is especially dangerous in the first trimester of pregnancy, when the main vital organs and systems of the child's body are formed. Moreover, it can cause miscarriage, the development of pathologies and deformities. Infection of the fetus at a later date rarely causes his death, but it is certainly not worth excluding the development of complications. The woman and the child in this case should be under the supervision of specialists.

Immunity to the virus

After the infection enters the human body, antibodies begin to form in his blood. It is noteworthy that they are produced only to the virus of the type that led to the development of the disease. So, immunity is formed in the body to it.

In turn, it is impossible to get rid of the virus after infection - even after recovery, it continues to remain in the cells of the nervous system, waiting for the right moment to attack again. In the event of the slightest weakening of the nervous system, immunity, it can again begin its rapid reproduction.

What about chicken pox, you ask? Many people know that, having had chicken pox once, later you can not be afraid of contact with the patient. There is a simple medical explanation for this: the symptoms of the primary disease are often different from those caused by the newly awakened bacteria.

Why do children get infected more often?

The herpes virus in children is quite common. And all because the child's body cannot boast of a strongerimmunity. From the first days of life, antibodies to various viruses are produced in the body of the crumbs, but they will not be able to resist re-infection. And there are several reasons for this, which are associated with the main stages of the disease:

• primary infection in a child's body;
• disease development;
• recovery with the formation of antibodies resistant to defeat;
• localization of infection to nerve cells;
• weakening of infection, resulting in reduced antibodies;
• activation of the virus.

Relapse cases

Among the main reasons for the re-infection are:

• cold - in this case, the immune system is "distracted" to fight against it;
• poor nutrition - a child's diet should be enriched with vitamins and minerals, because only a balanced diet can strengthen immunity;
• overheating or hypothermia;
• stress;
• getting too much virus in the body - this can be caused by vaccination in a preschool educational institution or direct contact with a sick person.

Multiple studies have shown that about 5% of children are born with immunity against the virus, laid down at the genetic level. However, in this case, at a high dose, infection is still possible.

Symptoms

Different types of infection can cause different diseases, so the accompanying symptoms will also be different. We will sharpenattention only to those that affect babies.

First type: on the lips

Herpes on the lip of a child is perhaps the most common form of infection. Its main symptom is a rash - blisters (visicles) filled with a clear liquid. The affected area turns red, itches and itches, bringing discomfort to the baby. Photos of herpes in children are presented in this material. At this stage, parents should pay attention to such unpleasant symptoms, because they indicate the development and spread of infection. Sometimes a rash appears on the mucous membrane - herpes in the child's nose or eye area. Sometimes there are symptoms that complicate the course of the disease:

• increase in body temperature up to 38 degrees;
• inflammation of the lymph nodes.

Bubbles with liquid on average burst after 2-3 days, most often when scratching. This complicates the treatment: it is quite difficult to control a small child. In place of the visicles, a wet crust first forms, which, if properly processed, disappears after a few days, leaving no marks or scars.

Second type: genital

Genital herpes in children is most often inherited from their mother. Infection occurs during pregnancy or labor. But based on medical practice, the virus can enter the child's body even if infected parents do not observe hygiene products, do not wash their hands after going to the toilet, touch common objects and hugbaby.

Symptoms of harpes in children in this case are similar to those that show herpes on the lip of a child. The difference lies only in their localization. In this case, watery bubbles cover the mucous membranes of the genital organs. On average, the disease lasts 7-9 days, rarely, in case of complications, it can reach 4 weeks.

Third type: shingles

Chickenpox most often gets sick in childhood. Symptoms of the disease begin to develop after 1-3 weeks from the moment of infection. Most often, the body temperature rises to 38 degrees, the head hurts, and rashes appear all over the body, accompanied by itching and burning. Subsequently, the bubble bursts, and an ulcer forms in its place. And here it is extremely important to limit the child's access to rashes - if you comb them, a scar will appear in place of the sore.

The duration of the disease largely depends on the intensity of the affected area and averages 7-10 days.

If your child has already had chicken pox, his body is weakened, and the immune system needs additional nourishment and strengthening. The possibility of recurrence, that is, the development of herpes zoster, is not excluded. In children, it is accompanied by fever, inflammation of the lymph nodes, nervous exhaustion and the reappearance of rashes on the child's body.

The stages of development of the rash are the same: first, the affected area turns red, itches and itches, then bubbles with liquid appear on it, then an ulcer and its convergence. The difference lies in the nature of the rashes. In case of chickenpox inflammationscattered throughout the body, and in the case of lichen, they gather in groups of considerable size. They literally encircle the baby's body, for which this type got its name.

A notable feature of this type is the reddening of the affected area with the subsequent formation of a bubble.

Fourth type: mononucleosis

Infectious mononucleosis is an extremely rare disease, including among children. It is not dangerous, but it takes quite a long time: the incubation period lasts up to three weeks, the virus remains active for about two months. Doctors refer to the main symptoms of its manifestation:

• weakness;
• dry cough;
• muscle and joint pain;
• dizziness, migraine;
• increased body temperature;
• inflammation of the lymph nodes;
• enlarged spleen and liver.

The disease is characterized by an extremely negative impact on the human immune system, so the list of symptoms can be replenished with the appearance of blisters in the lips and on the nasal mucosa.

Fifth type: hereditary virus

Cytomegalovirus every 20th baby inherited from his mother. Signs of damage are not always manifested: only in 5% of cases calcium accumulates in soft tissues, lethargy and a reduced level of intelligence are observed. Symptoms of the disease often resemble rubella. In the case of early diagnosis and timely treatment, it will be possible to get rid of all its manifestations in 1-1.5month.

Sixth type: exanthema

Sudden exanthema is a fairly rare type of herpes virus. Symptoms in children appear most often at the age of 1-2 years. The specific course of the disease will allow you to immediately determine it:

• high body temperature - the first 4 days the temperature does not fall below 39-40 degrees;
• a sudden rash - it appears literally instantly after a drop in temperature and literally covers the entire body. When pressed, the bubbles change color to lighter.

It is noteworthy that the rashes do not bring any discomfort to the child: they do not itch or itch, moreover, they disappear on their own after a few hours.

Modern treatments

Herpes in a child: what to do? This question is asked by all parents who are concerned about the not the best condition of their baby. Regardless of the type of viral infection, doctors prescribe:

• Plentiful drink - fruit drinks, compotes are allowed, even ordinary boiled water will help prevent dehydration.
• Antipyretics - in order to bring down the temperature, you need to purchase children's "Paracetamol" or "Ibuprofen" and give them to the child, according to the dosage indicated in the instructions. These drugs will help get rid of muscle pain and relieve spasm.
• Antiviral agents aimed at combating herpes.

Drug Forms

The modern pharmacological market offers a lot of effective, gentle drugs. Form followschoose based on the type of injury. For the treatment of herpes simplex in children, that is, rashes in the lips, nose, as well as chickenpox and shingles, it is better to use ointments. Tablets show high efficiency, so they are often prescribed in addition. Solutions for intravenous administration are used extremely rarely, only in case of complications.

Best antivirals

So, the pharmaceutical market offers a lot of remedies to fight herpes, but we want to present only the best of them:

• "Acyclovir" - in tablets. It is recommended for children with herpes when diagnosing diseases of types 1, 2 and 3. It is allowed to use the product in the form of an ointment.
• "Zovirax" is an analogue of "Acyclovir". They can replace the drug in case of absence in the pharmacy.
• "Virolex" - another analogue, produced only in the form of tablets.
• "Viru-Merz serol" - a gel for external use, suitable for types 1 and 2 of herpes virus.

The so-called "cold" on the lips, shingles and chickenpox can be cured with ointment - it is enough to apply it in a thin layer 3-5 times a day. The main thing is not to allow combing of watery bubbles and those sores that form in their places after a breakthrough.

Traditional medicine

Not all parents are loyal to the use of medications in the first months of a baby's life. That is why traditional medicine is very popular.in the fight against herpesvirus. The main rule is to take precautions to avoid an allergic reaction. Relieve itching, burning sensation will help compresses from:

• raw quail egg protein;
• celandine;
• grated potatoes;
• toothpaste;
• decoction of chamomile and lemon balm.

Complex of preventive measures

Every disease is better to prevent than to deal with its treatment and elimination of consequences later. Given the fact that the herpes virus infects only a weakened body, settling in it for life, great attention must be paid to hardening and strengthening the child's immune system:

• sports;
• regular outdoor walks;
• balanced nutrition, enrichment of the diet with vegetables and fruits with a high content of vitamins and trace elements;
• eliminate foci of chronic infections;
• isolation of a child with the first symptoms of a viral infection from the team;
• taking antivirals during epidemics.

If you are more attentive to your child and strengthen his body, you will be able to avoid infection even in case of contact with a sick child. That is why we strongly recommend that you listen to our advice and recommendations, save your child from the very unpleasant symptoms of a herpes virus infection. If the first signs are found, do not delay the visit to the doctor - this will avoid the development of a severe form and complications.