Herpes: to prevent
According to experts, about 90 percent of Germans with genital Herpes are infected with simplex viruses (HSV). The pathogen can cause the well-known bubbles in the mouth (Herpes in the mouth). Experts explain how to prevent and what you can company against the complaints.
Many people are familiar with this: First tingles, or itches, the lip and the next day, the swelling and small painful blisters form. The for lip herpes (Herpes labialis) typical symptoms are troublesome, from the sound, but usually after one to two weeks by itself. Some measures can help to make the discomfort more bearable.
Viruses do not cause all of the Infected complaints
As the Federal Ministry for education and research in a previous communication, account for 90 percent of the German, the Herpes simplex virus type-1 in. Many people remember nothing of it, since you have no complaints.
Anyone who has been infected once with this virus, not get rid of them for the Rest of his life.
Most of the time the pathogens are in a dormant state. It is only when the immune system is weakened, for example, in the case of infectious diseases such as colds, fever, Stress, or strong sunlight, the herpes virus active again and can cause the well-known bubbles in the mouth (Herpes in the mouth).
The technician health insurance (TK), according to the first HSV-contact (primary infection) is caused only in up to ten percent of the Affected complaints.
It is, among other things, fever, and General, can occur be uncomfortable. Mucosa and skin show grouped and eingedellte blisters, the affected area is inflamed.
As the Institute for quality and efficiency in health care (IQWiG) on the Portal “gesundheitsinformation.de” explains, tingling or itch on the lip many people already a few hours or the day before visible bubbles. While these heal and form scabs, which are also easy to tear and can bleed.
According to the experts, it takes about one to two weeks until the cold sore is gone.
Certain stimuli activate the pathogen
The IQWiG explained in the post that there are certain stimuli that activate the Herpes Virus, for example:
- UV rays (sunlight or in a Solarium)
- very hot or cold temperatures
- small lesions and cracks on the lips
- physical or mental stress
In order to reduce the risk for an outbreak, you can try to avoid those factors as much as possible. Also, the use of sunscreen and a good lip care are options that you can try.
When the Virus erupts very often and leads to cold sores, can also be a preventive treatment with drugs in question. However, it is well studied, how well you lip herpes protects.
Yourself and others from infection, protect
The IQWiG that you can protect yourself and others from infection, by blisters to the complete healing of the Lips and crusts
- no one to kiss
- no towels, crockery and Cutlery divides
- washes his hands, if you focus on the lip (for example, after Application of ointment)
- Sport avoids body contact
- no oral sex because the virus can be transmitted to the mucous membranes of the genitals and genital herpes trigger
The experts point to the fact that newborns are at risk up to the eighth week of life, due to their still immature immune system.
If a parent has a cold sore should not kiss the infant, the pacifier in the mouth, regularly wash hands and prevent the child from accidentally touching sores the herpes.
Important to know: Even outside of an outbreak, it is possible to infect others. Because this happens only very rarely, can be dispensed with precaution, as long as you have no acute cold sores.
Herpes treat
Because cold sore heals of itself, is not a treatment is absolutely necessary. Local therapy (external application) with a ointments but can be useful to alleviate the unpleasant symptoms.
The TK, according to the ointments with drying and antiseptic are (disinfectant) active ingredients are particularly suitable. Also a ointment with an anti-Virus targeted drug can help.
Important is the correct application, however, is: When the first symptoms show, treatment should be started within 24 hours, in order to act. The best is, as early as possible to start.
It is also advisable home remedies for Herpes such as Aloe Vera or clove oil.
In the case of frequently recurring infections, infections of the brain or the eyes, in the case of a first infection in children, as well as genital Herpes is a local therapy is not enough but most of the time. Then Concerned to obtain a drug against the Virus, often, Aciclovir, in tablet form. (ad)