Herpes in children - treatment of herpetic infection, drugs, symptoms

Herpes is an acute viral disease of the mucous membranes and skin. It is caused by the herpes virus, which can cause various diseases. For example, the familiar chickenpox, chickenpox, is also caused by a type of herpes virus.

The disease is transmitted by airborne droplets. Once settled in a child’s body, the herpes virus never leaves it, worsening during infections, stress, and hypothermia. Activated by any weakening of the immune system, the virus begins to multiply rapidly, manifesting itself as a “fever” on the mucous membranes and skin. It “jumps up”, most often, in the same place, but sometimes with a new exacerbation its location may change.

Treatment of herpes in children is aimed at minimizing the manifestation of symptoms and suppressing the activity of the virus.

Types of herpes in children

Diseases caused by pathogens of the Herpesviridae family are divided into 8 types. The most common are two types of herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2). In addition to them, GVI includes:

chicken pox;
herpes zoster;
Epstein–Barr virus;
cytomegalovirus.

The main types are divided into subfamilies that differ in the rate of development of the pathogen in cells. All of the listed types can occur in young children, with the exception of infants, who are protected by maternal antibodies for 5-7 months after birth.

Cold

The first symptoms of a cold most often manifest themselves in the form of a sore and sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and cough. They usually occur 2–3 days after exposure to a virus (usually rhinovirus). The child may look lethargic, complain of increased fatigue, headaches and muscle pain, eat poorly or refuse to eat at all, and have a fever.

There is no specific treatment for colds (there are no proven effective drugs). To relieve headaches, muscle pain, and reduce high fever, the child can be given paracetamol or ibuprofen (children over 3 months).

Attention: aspirin should not be given to children! The dosage of such medications should be recommended by a doctor. Always follow the instructions for the drug if a quick consultation with a pediatrician is not possible.

There is no evidence that over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants (decongestants) provide relief in children under 6 years of age. Moreover, medications containing decongestants can cause unwanted side effects in young children, ranging from increased excitability and hallucinations to abnormal heart rates, especially in infants.

It is very important that during illness the child drinks a lot (the best option is clean drinking water, but you can offer what he likes best - juices, compotes). Ventilate the room regularly, use a humidifier, and rinse the child's nose with saline solution. Children over 1 year of age can be given honey (no more than half a teaspoon); rubbing the chest with menthol ointments to relieve cough is not recommended for children under 2 years of age. Cough lozenges or tablets are recommended for children over 4 years of age; a small child may choke on them. Do not use multi-ingredient over-the-counter cold and cough medicines if your child is under 6 years of age. They are ineffective and can cause serious side effects. The use of such drugs is questionable in principle, but it is also important to understand that they may contain paracetamol and lead to an overdose if you have already given it to a child.

For colds in children, the use of alternative treatments (echinacea, etc.), increased doses of zinc or vitamin C has been proven ineffective. They do not relieve or reduce symptoms and can cause severe side effects in young children.

If your child's condition does not improve after 3 days from the onset of symptoms, make an appointment with your pediatrician. An examination is necessary to exclude other diseases (streptococcal infection, sinusitis, bronchitis, pneumonia) and prescribe adequate treatment.

See your doctor immediately if you have the following symptoms: cough with a lot of mucus, difficulty breathing, severe weakness, vomiting, dehydration, severe sore throat, fever of 39 °C or more, fever for 24 hours or longer, abdominal pain, pain in the ears, enlarged cervical lymph nodes.

Symptoms and course of the disease

Infection occurs through direct contact with an infected person or through personal hygiene items, toys, etc. On dry objects, the virus lives for up to 1.5-2 hours, on smooth and wet surfaces the pathogen can remain viable for up to 4-6 hours, which is usually leads to an outbreak of the disease if the sick child attended a kindergarten or nursery.

At the point where the virus enters the body, a rash appears - small bubbles with clear or cloudy liquid. Herpetic rash in children may be accompanied by general symptoms: weakness, elevated body temperature. The rash can form not only on the lips, but also on the mucous membranes - in the mouth, gums, palate, nose. In some cases, muscle pain, tenderness and swelling in the area of the lymph nodes in the neck are noted.

You can see what herpes looks like in children in the photo on the Internet. It is difficult to confuse it with some other diseases, although there are exceptions, so if symptoms occur, you should take the baby’s condition as seriously as possible.

Photo source: fantasyclinic.ru

An ulcer on the lip or areas of skin near the mouth goes away on its own even without treatment; it usually takes about 3-5 days. But the viral infection remains permanent - frequent or not very frequent relapses and complications are possible. The frequency of recurrence of ulcers and rashes varies from person to person and depends on the general condition and immunity.

Treatment of herpes in children is significantly complicated by the fact that the child constantly scratches the affected area and tears off the drying crust, which leads to even greater discomfort and slow healing of the wound.

Treatment of herpes:

Anesthesia (egg white + 2% novocaine, anesthesin + peach oil, 0.5-1% solution of trimecaine or lidocaine, 4% solution of pyromecaine on glucose, 0.5-1% solution of novocaine with urotropine,).
Enzymes (trypsin, lysozyme, chymotrypsin, chymopsin, pancreatin, deoxyribonuclease)
Antiseptic treatment (0.5-1% hydrogen peroxide solution, 0.06% chlorhexedine solution). Parents' signature: Ivanova.
Antiherpetic ointments (0.25% oxaline ointment, 1% florenal, 0.5% tebrofen, 1% riodoxol, as well as 3% gossypol liniment, 0.1% gossypol solution, 0.5% bonaftone ointment, 5% interferon ointment, ointments Zovirax and acyclovir). All this 5-6 times a day. This is done for 4-5 days.
6th day.

leave as needed.
No need.----
we leave it too.
keratoplatics (vitamin A in oil, vitamin E in oil, Shostakovsky balm, carotolin, rosehip oil and sea buckthorn oil, vitaon)

How to treat herpes in a child?

It is worth immediately deciding on one fact: herpetic lesions of the body are not fully treated; therapeutic measures are taken to alleviate symptoms and speed up relief from external manifestations. The virus remains in the body forever.

In 80-90% of cases of infection in one-year-olds and older children, the infection remains latent and does not cause symptoms, but the remaining 10-20% have clinical manifestations.

Herpes infection in children is treated in three stages:

during such active manifestations as: rash, fever, itching, burning;
further maintenance therapy during remission;
preventive measures - searching for the source of infection (family members, other children in kindergarten or nursery can spread the disease), sanitizing foci of infection.

To combat childhood herpes, antiviral drugs are used in various dosage forms, which reduce the activity of the pathogen and help minimize the external manifestations of the disease. Treatment of external manifestations at the time of high activity of the virus is carried out with the help of ointments and creams, maintenance therapy is by taking antiviral drugs orally. Also among the indications are immunostimulants and human interferons. Of the antiviral drugs most often used to treat HSV, the most common is acyclovir. It is produced in various dosage forms: ointment, tablets, intravenous injections. The dosage depends on the recommendation of the attending physician. Interferons are most effective in the form of rectal suppositories - this way the active substance quickly and without loss enters the child’s body.

Infectious mononucleosis

Another disease of viral etiology with severe “cold” symptoms. The main causative agent of infectious mononucleosis is the Epstein-Barr virus (rarely other viruses). The infection spreads through saliva.

The disease is typical for adolescents and young adults (the so-called “kissing disease”), but young children can also become infected with infectious mononucleosis through contact with objects touched by an infected person (for example, through dishes). Most adults already have antibodies to IM because they have been exposed to the infection, so they are immune and do not get sick. In people with a weakened immune system due to concomitant pathologies or organ transplantation, MI can cause serious complications and other diseases (anemia, meningitis, encephalitis, myocarditis, etc.).

Symptoms of MI appear approximately 4–6 weeks after infection and may develop slowly and not all at the same time. They include severe sore throat, weakness, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, enlarged neck and axillary lymph nodes, inflammation of the tonsils with white plaque, headache, muscle pain, skin rashes, abdominal pain, enlarged spleen or liver.

Most patients recover within 2–4 weeks of onset of symptoms, but some continue to experience symptoms of MI (eg, fatigue, enlarged lymph nodes, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly) for several weeks or even months.

The disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, their duration and specificity, as well as a physical examination. A blood test for antibodies to the Epstein-Barr virus and a general blood test to determine the level of leukocytes (prescribed if necessary) help confirm the diagnosis.

The symptoms of MI are quite unpleasant and cause significant discomfort to the patient, but the disease goes away on its own, without treatment or any consequences. Drinking plenty of fluids, rest and a healthy diet are recommended. To relieve symptoms (sore throat, headache, muscle pain, fever), it is recommended to use paracetamol or ibuprofen, or gargle with salt water. The addition of a secondary infection (streptococcal, for example) requires the use of antibacterial drugs. If the airways are severely narrowed and there is difficulty breathing, corticosteroids may be prescribed. To reduce the risk of rupture of the capsule of an enlarged spleen or liver, it is recommended to avoid exercise, heavy lifting, and contact sports for at least a month, or until the liver and spleen return to normal size.

Viral herpes in children at an early age - neonatal herpetic infection

Neonatal herpes is quite rare, occurring in only 1 case in 10,000. The chances of infection increase if the mother becomes infected with HSV during late pregnancy. As a result, infection occurs even before the birth of the child through the blood supplying the placenta with nutrients.

Unlike adults and older children, infants under the age of one month can suffer from herpes much more severely. Since HSV can affect not only the skin and mucous membranes, but also other organs, it causes a high risk of complications in newborns. Damages to the nervous, cardiovascular system, ENT organs, internal organs - all these are consequences of herpes suffered at an early age. Even in adults, previously unrecognized complications can be detected - dysfunction of childbirth, in men - prostatitis and urethritis, in women - colpitis and endometritis. One of the most severe complications is caused by the virus entering the central nervous system. As a result, encephalopathy, meningitis, damage to nerve fibers, which subsequently lead to depressive states and even schizophrenia. Herpes affects not only the body, but also the central nervous system. Herpes complications are very difficult to treat in the future.

Technology vector created by brgfx — ru.freepik.com

Therefore, if neonatal herpes is suspected, every effort should be made for treatment and supportive care.

Psychological consequences of herpes in children

Somatic complications are not all the troubles that this viral disease can bring. Children aged 3 years and older, who already communicate with peers, go to kindergarten, and playgrounds, experience psychological discomfort.

Other children may tease the sick person because of the external manifestation of the disease - ulcers on the lips or on the area of skin around them, and the constant itching that haunts the baby also does not improve the situation.

If the behavior of a child with herpes has changed, contact a specialist. Changes are especially noticeable after visiting a playground or kindergarten. The baby flatly refuses to go there again in the morning, is depressed or, conversely, excited. If you notice warning signs, a child psychologist will help. To reduce external signs and prevent relapses of the disease, contact an immunologist.

Enteroviral stomatitis

Enteroviral stomatitis (hand-foot-mouth syndrome) is also characterized by the formation of painful aphthae on the tongue, under the tongue, on the mucous membranes of the cheeks and lips, on the soft palate and at the base of the gums. Accompanied by a blistering rash around the mouth, on the palms, back of the hands, feet, back of the thighs and buttocks of the child, fever, sore throat, headache, loss of appetite.

The causative agents of enteroviral stomatitis are the Coxsackie virus and other enteroviruses. The disease is very common among young children in the summer and is transmitted through contact with an infected person through the airborne or fecal-oral route: through dishes, hygiene items, bedding, toys.

The incubation period (from infection to the onset of symptoms) is 3 to 6 days. Fever is often the first sign of illness. Painful aphthae in the mouth appear 1–2 days after the onset of fever, then rashes are observed on the arms, legs and buttocks. Enteroviral stomatitis does not require special treatment, all signs and symptoms of the disease usually disappear after a week, and the child’s condition returns to normal.

How to avoid infection?

According to statistics, over 60% of people have antibodies to HSV in their blood and, therefore, are infected with it. But at an early age, you can try to avoid infection to reduce the risk of complications. What should I do for this?

The mother must maintain hygiene - hers and the child's, and teach the baby from an early age not to use other people's towels and other items.
During periods of exacerbation of viral infections, the baby’s communication with other children and adults should be limited.
It is necessary to monitor the state of children’s immunity and nutrition (vitamins are especially important; if there are not enough of them in the diet, you can use special vitamin complexes).

Herpes virus infection in children is not the most pleasant thing. But after one year of age, it rarely causes serious problems. The main thing is to diagnose the disease in time and provide appropriate assistance. Then complications do not threaten, and taking vitamins and supportive therapy will help avoid relapses.

Treatment of herpes

Treatment of herpes simplex should be comprehensive, ethionatogenetic.

General treatment of herpes

High calorie diet.
Drink plenty of fluids.
General restorative therapy - vitamin C, calcium supplements (calcium gluconate, calcium glycerophosphate, calcium lactate, calcium chloride), fish oil for 1-2 weeks. Doses are selected individually, taking into account the age, weight and general condition of the child.
Desensitizing therapy (diphenhydramine, suprastin, pipolfen, diprazine, tavegil, diazolin, fenkarol, etc.) for 1-2 weeks
Antiviral drugs (bonafton, tebrofen, florenal, Megosin, alpizarin, remantadine, metisazone, riodoxol, gossypol, leukocyte interferon, biosynthetic leukocyte drug interlock, deoxyribonuclease, interferon, helepin, modimunal, acyclovir, Zovirax, Virolex) for oral and local administration in the form of applications. The dose is selected individually according to the age, weight, and general condition of the child.
Immunocorrective therapy. Gamma globulin or histaglobin is prescribed 1-2 ml intramuscularly 2 times a week, for a course of 1-2 injections, to increase the body's defenses. You can use dekaris, taktivin, timoptin (the dose is selected individually according to the age, weight of the child and based on the general condition), Immunal - 5-15 drops, 2-3 times a day for 1-2 weeks (the dose is selected individually according to the age of the child ).
A specific antiherpetic polyvaccine (during the period between relapses), the combined administration of a vaccine and parenteral administration of interferon inducers (ridostine) are effective.

Local treatment of herpes

The oral mucosa should be anesthetized with warm anesthetics, then antiseptically treated with warm antiseptics, in particular 0.5-1% solution of trimecaine or lidocaine, 4% solution of pyromecaine on glucose, 0.5-1% solution of novocaine with urotropine, 5-10 % anesthetic emulsion, 0.02% furatsilin solution, 0.02% ethacridine lactate solution, 0.01% dimexide solution, 0.1% etonium solution. It is possible to use an antiseptic together with an anesthetic in a 1:1 ratio (the solution is prepared before use) in the form of irrigation, baths, applications 3-4 times a day.
Applications of proteolytic enzymes are carried out once a day for 5-10 minutes. It is recommended to use lysozyme, chymotrypsin, chymopsin, pancreatin, deoxyribonuclease, which has not only a cleansing effect of necrotic masses, but also an antiviral effect.
Applications of antiviral ointments are used 3-4 times a day for 10-15 minutes. It is recommended to use 1% florenal, 0.5% tebrofen, 1% riodoxol and 0.5-1% oxolinic ointments, as well as 3% gossypol liniment, 0.1% gossypol solution, 0.5% bonaftone ointment, 5% interferon ointment , ointments Zovirax and acyclovir. Interferon in solution should be instilled into the oral cavity and each nostril, 1-2 drops 3-4 times a day. The course of treatment is individual for each child.
Applications of keratoplasty preparations should be prescribed from the moment of epithelization of erosions 2-3 times a day for 10-15 minutes (vitamin A in oil, vitamin E in oil, Shostakovsky balm, carotolin, rosehip oil and sea buckthorn oil). The course of treatment is individual for each child.
They also use applications of agents that stimulate local immunity (1% sodium nucleinate solution, 5-10% galascorbine solution, 5% methyluracil ointment, 10% methyluracil emulsion), for 10-15 minutes 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment is individual for each child. In addition, iimudon is prescribed, a drug prepared from a mixture of lysates of various microorganisms and which is a polyvalent complex of antibodies. It stimulates the defenses of the oral mucosa by increasing the activity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, increasing the number of slgA, increasing the activity and content of lysozyme in the oral fluid. Immudon is prescribed in the form of tablets for resorption in the oral cavity, 5-8 pieces per day. The course of treatment is 10-16 days. In the acute period, during the period of exacerbation and with severe pain - 8 tablets per day. In the remission phase, the drug should be used as a prophylactic agent, 5 tablets per day for 2 weeks.
Physiotherapeutic treatment is prescribed from the first day of the disease (irradiation with a heliumene laser or ultraviolet No. 3-5) daily or every other day.