The fact that such a herpes virus and how to treat it, almost everyone knows from hearsay. More than 85% of the population of our planet are carriers of this virus.
With a healthy body, herpes does not bother a person. However, during pregnancy, immunity decreases and one morning the girl can detect the appearance of wounds on her lips. You will learn more about how this disease affects the health of a woman and an unborn child.
Herpes is an infectious disease caused by viruses of three different types. The first type of herpes virus causes diseases of the skin and mucous membranes, and the second type causes diseases of the genitals.
With the primary lesion of the human body, herpes remains with him forever. At the same time, in some people the disease manifests itself regularly, while in others only once.
Herpes on the lips during pregnancy: causes and signs of the disease
Herpes can occur in every pregnant woman. How this disease affects the fetus depends on when the infection first occurred. If the girl transferred the virus earlier, then the harm for the child will be minimal. When infected during pregnancy, the threat of adverse effects increases significantly.
Doctors recommend in the first weeks of pregnancy to pass a blood test for the detection of various infections, including herpes.
The results of the study will be ready in a few days and you should definitely acquaint the doctor with whom the woman is registered.
Ways of virus infection:
- airborne;
- direct contact with a sick person;
- sexual intercourse with a virus carrier.
The recurrence of the disease can be caused by such factors:
- sore throat or acute respiratory infections (acute respiratory disease) suffered by a pregnant woman;
- hypothermia;
- severe fatigue or stress;
- lack of vitamins and general exhaustion.
The disease does not appear on the lips immediately after infection. The hidden period can last up to 10 days, and then rashes appear. In some cases, the disease is accompanied by headache and fever.
The development of the disease is characterized by the following stages:
- itching and burning - appear almost immediately after infection and sometimes become unbearable;
- the appearance of edema and neoplasms on the lips in the form of bubbles with liquid;
- a woman's body temperature may rise slightly;
- the formation of wounds after the opening of the bubbles;
- after the wounds have dried up the appearance of cracks from which blood is seeping is possible.
The impact of the disease on the health of the future baby depends on whether the girl has had herpes earlier and for how long the pregnant woman was infected.
What exactly is dangerous herpes on the lips during pregnancy?
The disease is dangerous for the child and the expectant mother, if the infection occurred for the first time during pregnancy. This results from the fact that antibodies are formed in a human body after the postponed disease.
If a woman has transferred the virus before pregnancy, then the fetus is protected by maternal antibodies and the possibility of infecting the baby is minimal.
Negative effects on the health of the child are possible in more than half of the cases during the initial infection of a pregnant girl:
- risk of miscarriage;
- fetal developmental defects;
- fetal death in the womb;
- preterm delivery;
- damage to the nervous system of the child;
- intrauterine growth retardation of the baby.
Many women consider the disease unserious and do not even heal. However, when itching it is possible combing newly formed bubbles. After that, the spilled liquid will remain under the nails and in the hands of the girl. This fluid is very dangerous.
When combing wounds, there is a threat of infection, which entails a number of possible complications. This is an inflammation of the skin, the penetration of the infection more deeply into the skin and blood, with further damage to the internal systems.
Consequently, when a woman is diagnosed with a disease, it is imperative to consult a doctor and start treatment.
Treatment of herpes during pregnancy with medications
The herpes virus negatively affects the formation of the fetus. In particular, it is dangerous in the first trimester, when the baby has the formation of internal organs. The occurrence of infection on the lip of a girl in early pregnancy (in the first trimester) can provoke a miscarriage or adversely affect the formation of the brain and bones of the skull.
When registering with a gynecologist, a pregnant woman should certainly notify the doctor if the rash of wounds on the lips due to herpes infection occurs regularly.
The doctor may prescribe natural medications to contain infection activity and improve immunity:
- ginseng - supports the body's defenses and acts as an anti-inflammatory agent;
- Echinacea - increases the body's resistance to infections and improves the general condition;
- Eleutherococcus - boosts immunity and vitality of the body.
Treatment of the disease during pregnancy in both 1 and 2 and 3 trimester is complicated by the fact that popular and fairly effective drugs can not be used. What is the treatment of herpes on the lips during pregnancy? Usually, doctors prescribe one of the following drugs:
- Acyclovir is an antiviral ointment that penetrates skin cells that are infected with Herpes virus and suppresses their negative effect. It is recommended to apply immediately at the first signs of the disease 4-5 times a day for 5-10 days;
- Oxolinic ointment - suppresses the manifestation of the disease, having a devastating effect on infections in painful blisters. The tool does not accumulate in the body and excreted through the day. The ointment is applied to the affected skin 2-3 times a day for a week;
- Panavir is a herbal preparation that increases the body's resistance to the effects of infections. The gel is used 5 times a day, applying to the affected areas with a thin layer;
- Pentsivir - stops the reproduction of the virus, blocking its negative effect. The cream is applied to the wound every 2-3 hours for 4 days;
- Zovirax is effective in the prevention and treatment of herpes in pregnant women, as it does not affect healthy cells. Apply the ointment 5 times a day with an interval of 4 hours for 4-5 days.
On the recommendation of the doctor, a pregnant girl should start taking these medications immediately after the symptoms are detected. You can receive similar medical devices. The most safe for the fetus and mother are drugs based on acyclovir.
Standard doctor's appointments are limited to ointments and gels. However, if the skin of the girl is significantly affected, the doctor may recommend taking the drugs in the form of tablets (Acyclovir, Valacyclovir).
Folk remedies for the treatment of disease
Methods of traditional medicine are quite effective in combating the virus, if used at the initial stage of the disease. The most effective methods of treatment using the available products:
- Cauterization of inflammation - tincture of propolis or calendula;
- Lubrication of wounds on the lips with rosehip oil, sea buckthorn, bergamot, lavender;
- The use of creams on the basis of lemon balm;
- Apply aloe juice on the affected areas;
- Use toothpaste to dry the wounds;
- Film with chicken eggs applied to inflamed areas until completely dry.
However, the use of folk remedies does not cancel the appeal of a pregnant woman to a doctor. After all, these funds affect only the symptoms of the disease, and not the virus.
Genital herpes during pregnancy: causes, symptoms and treatment methods
A pregnant girl can become infected with genital herpes sexually or using the personal hygiene items of an infected person. A man may not be the external manifestations of the disease, but the probability of infection is quite high. Factors affecting the appearance of genital sores:
- reduced immunity of the pregnant woman;
- sexual intercourse with an infected partner without barrier methods of contraception.
Herpes on the genital lips during pregnancy is most dangerous during pregnancy because of possible serious complications in the development of the fetus.
The first symptoms of the disease are:
- rash in the form of bubbles with liquid (there are wounds on the genitals, buttocks, the inner surface of the thigh);
- itching and burning in the area of formation of bubbles;
- muscle weakness;
- temperature increase (in rare cases).
If the above symptoms are detected, the expectant mother is obliged to consult a doctor. Doctors prescribe treatment, which is carried out in several stages:
- Acceptance of antivirals in the form of ointments and tablets (Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, Zovirax, Penzivir, Famvir);
- Raising immunity with the help of multivitamins and natural preparations;
- Prevention of recurrence of the disease.
Genital herpes is not a sentence. During exacerbation of the disease in the last stages of pregnancy, doctors suggest that a cesarean section be performed.
This is done to avoid infection of the fetus during passage through the birth canal. During the treatment of the disease, it is imperative to follow the recommendations of the doctor so that the baby does not become infected with the virus.
Consequences of the disease
Infection of the herpes virus with a pregnant woman in most cases occurs due to a decrease in immunity. The body undergoes drastic hormonal changes and becomes susceptible to infections.
Infection of the girl's body in the first trimester is the most dangerous and can lead to spontaneous miscarriage.
The formation of the fetus during this period occurs most actively, so the disease can adversely affect the development of the internal organs and systems of the baby.
During the second and third trimesters, the threat of miscarriage and congenital deformities also remains. During the initial infection of a pregnant girl, premature birth or the birth of an inanimate child may occur. If herpes recurrent (repeated), then these consequences occur in very rare cases.
Preventive measures
After examining the danger of herpes on the lips during pregnancy, it is clear that you should follow some simple precautions.
Before pregnancy, make analyzes of ToRCH infection and, if it detects the absence of antibodies, be vaccinated. If a girl before pregnancy did not pass the necessary tests, then it should be done in early pregnancy, and in the absence of antibodies, it is necessary:
- not to contact people infected with the virus, as the infection occurs through airborne droplets;
- follow the rules of personal hygiene;
- temper, but not supercool;
- to refuse from bad habits;
- adhere to a healthy lifestyle and strengthen the immune system.
Herpes on the lips during pregnancy in most cases is treated successfully. To do this, it is necessary to diagnose it in a timely manner and consult a doctor for recommendations. The help of the doctor is necessary, in order not to harm the health of the child!
A little more information about herpes on the lips during pregnancy can be found in the following video.
