Herpes simplex virus

The herpes simplex virus can cause many diseases clinically. Common keratoconjunctivitis, gingivostomatitis, encephalitis, and neonatal infections are all caused by this virus. Especially common is neonatal herpes infection. Such diseases have a great impact on children. If not treated in time, it can lead to death, and the child will suffer great trauma.

The herpes simplex virus can cause many diseases in humans, the most common of which is neonatal herpes. This disease is very serious. Many newborns have died after being infected with this virus. It can also cause encephalitis and miscarriage in pregnant women.

Herpes simplex is a viral skin disease caused by the herpes simplex virus, known as heat sore in traditional Chinese medicine.

Herpes simplex belongs to the a-virus subfamily of the herpesviridae family, and the viral plasmid is about 180 nanometers in size. The virus is currently divided into type 1 and type 2 based on antigenic differences. Type 1 is primarily acquired from oral lesions, and type 2 can be isolated from genital lesions. Infection is due to person-to-person contact. The number of people infected from four months to several years after the onset can reach 50-90% of the total population. It is the virus that is most susceptible to invading humans, but only a part of them will develop the disease clinically. This disease can be divided into: oral herpes, herpetic keratitis, herpetic dermatitis, genital herpes, Kaposi's disease, etc., and is sometimes also the cause of meningitis and encephalitis. Herpes on the lips is generally easier to diagnose, and can recur due to various stimuli such as sun exposure and fever. The virus can proliferate in large quantities on the chorioallantoic membrane of chicken embryos and in cultured animal cells of humans, monkeys, chickens, etc. In addition, type 2 virus has a transforming effect on vole cells, etc. Herpes viruses are also suspected to be associated with cervical cancer in humans.

Patients with herpes virus who do not experience pain in the affected area should seek medical advice as soon as possible for diagnosis and receive active treatment.

Symptomatic treatment

Mainly general and symptomatic treatment. Principles: Anti-viral, reduce pain, prevent secondary infection, and shorten the course of the disease. ①Neuralgia: Analgesics such as aspirin, acetaminophen, indomethacin, ibuprofen, Xinhuang tablets, etc. can be given. Postherpetic neuralgia requires the combined use of analgesics and sedatives, such as doxepin 25 mg, taken orally 3 times a day; cimetidine 0.2 g, dexamethasone 1.5 mg, cyproheptadine 2 mg, taken orally 3 times a day, and vitamin B12 100 micrograms, injected intramuscularly once a day, for a total of 10 days.

② Local skin care treatment: Apply phthalamide ointment or calamine lotion externally, 3-5 times a day. For erosion, apply 2% gentian violet solution or neomycin furfural oil paste. Or ultraviolet irradiation, audio frequency electrotherapy, laser irradiation (helium-neon or carbon dioxide expanded beam irradiation), TDP spectrum irradiation, etc.

③Herpes zoster in the eye: Herpes zoster or acyclovir can be used as eye drops, and atropine can be used to dilate the pupil to prevent corneal adhesion;

Antiviral therapy

Mainly used for patients with immunodeficiency or immunosuppression, adenosine or acyclovir. Oral highly effective antiviral drugs: acyclovir, valacyclovir, etc. (Clinical tips: acyclovir is ineffective in treating postherpetic neuralgia) Apply topical acyclovir eye drops to the affected area. You can take antibiotics orally or apply erythromycin ointment to the affected area. If the blisters rupture, apply 2.5% gentian violet solution to the affected area. Corticosteroids: Short-term use, be cautious!

Precautions

For patients who are currently using cytotoxic drugs, immunosuppressants or metabolic antagonists, the dosage should be reduced or the drug should be discontinued as much as possible because of the high risk of viral spread.

Can be used in combination with heat-clearing and detoxifying Chinese medicine and acupuncture therapy

The herpes simplex virus has a great impact on us. We must be able to take timely prevention measures against such viruses. If infected with such a virus, we must actively cooperate with the doctor for treatment. During the treatment, we must be able to follow the doctor's orders, rest in bed, do not move around, pay attention to nutritional supplements, and exercise more often.