Herpes is the most common viral disease in the world. It is very easy to infect with it. Person can get infected in a bunch of ways (kissing, sexual intercourse) – during a childbirth (from mother to child), indirect physical contact, sometimes by airborne droplets. The manifestations of herpes depend on the type of virus.
There are eight types of herpes:
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The first type of herpes (HSV-1).
It is the most common type. It is this type that causes itching, vesicles on the lips and tongue, filled with fluid. Sometimes a few hours before the appearance of vesicles, a person feels a fever and weakness, although very often the virus attacks without warning.
In some people, vesicles on the lips appear about 5-10 times a year. This is not surprising, because antibodies to herpes type 1, indicating the presence of the virus in the body, found in 90% of people.
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The second type of herpes (HSV-2).
This type leads to the appearance of the same vesicular rash, but on the mucous membranes of the genitals. Virus is transmitted through sexual contact. This virus is very dangerous for pregnant women, because can lead to fetal abnormalities.
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The third type of herpes (VZV).
It is often called VZV. The rash does not occur on the mucous membranes, but on the skin and lasts for a very long time, about a month. It accompanied by headaches, general weakness, and fever.
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The fourth type of herpes (EBV).
This virus is better known as the Epstein-Barr virus. The vesicles characteristic of herpes in this disease locate on the tonsils, the virus provokes a very severe tonsillitis with high fever, weakness, drowsiness and severe sore throat.
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The fifth type of herpes (CMV).
Many people are infected with this virus, but do not know about it, because very often the virus “dormant” and does not cause any characteristic symptoms. However, in an active state, cytomegalovirus is very dangerous; it causes severe damage to internal organs.
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The sixth type of herpes (HHV-6).
It may lead to the development of eczema, as well as lymphosarcoma and lymphoma.
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The seventh type of herpes (HHV-7).
This is mysterious virus, the only obvious manifestation of which is chronic fatigue, which neither sleeps nor rest help to get rid of. Over time, problems with memory and concentration of attention develop, a person becomes irritable and apathetic, and immunity suffers.
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The eighth type of herpes (HHV-8).
This is a rather rare and poorly understood disease that affects lymphocytes. It is most often found in HIV-infected people and manifest by the appearance of small ulcers on the skin.
Herpes often called a “cold”, but this is false, because the herpes virus has nothing to do with the causative agents of acute respiratory infections, and no remedies for colds, whether antibiotics, antipyretics or any other drugs, will not help.
Many people think that getting rid of herpes is impossible. Yes, it is impossible to destroy the virus in the body. However, you can suppress its activity so much, that the manifestations will not bother you. Usually treatment is carried out with the use of antiviral drugs (Acivir, Zovirax, Lovir), analgesics can also be used.