Genital herpes in children: routes of infection, photos and treatment

Content

• The causative agent of parasitic infection is pinworm
• Causes of pinworm infection
• What complications does the disease cause?
• Symptoms of the disease Acute period
• Chronic stage

Enterobiasis is an infection of the body with helminths - pinworms. Young children are at risk, but children of other ages can also be infected.

Treatment of groin rash

If a rash is detected on the genitals and buttocks of a child, parents need to reconsider their approach to hygiene and nutrition. If a new bathing product or washing powder is used, it could cause an allergy. If the rash becomes weeping, it is recommended to leave the child without a diaper or diapers more often, so that the delicate skin is well ventilated and the ulcers dry out. If the child is older than 6 months, then it is necessary to organize a diet - temporarily refuse to introduce new products and exclude any allergens from the menu.

If the condition of the epithelium does not improve within a few days, you should seek medical help. If the infectious nature of the origin of the rash is detected, adequate treatment is prescribed with drugs to which the pathogens are sensitive.

To alleviate the baby's condition, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, and healing agents for external use are prescribed. Bathing in decoctions of chamomile and sage helps speed up the restoration of the epithelium. Among the folk recipes, treating rashes with infusion of bay leaves works well, and you can dry wet areas with starch.

The causative agent of parasitic infection is pinworm

Enterobiasis is caused by the pinworm parasite. This helminth is a roundworm belonging to the class of nematodes. It has some features in appearance. Females grow to a length of 9-12 mm, they have a “tail” - a pointed end. It severely injures the intestinal mucosa when the worm is in the body. Males are 2-3 times smaller than females, and their “tails” are curved in a spiral. Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2306321/ JP Caldwell Pinworms (Enterobius Vermicularis) Can Fam Physician. 1982 Feb; 28: 306–309.

Adult helminths live in the cecum and at the end of the small intestine. At night, females crawl out of the cecum through the anus. At this time, the person’s anal sphincter is relaxed, so nothing interferes with the worms. When the female pinworm emerges, she lays eggs in the perianal folds. There are a lot of eggs - up to 15 thousand. Having laid them, the female dies. The entire cycle of her life is about a month. The eggs are resistant to environmental factors and can remain viable for up to 3 weeks. They stain clothes and bedding.

After a few hours, the embryo from the egg becomes a larva, which itself begins to parasitize. This is how enterobiasis spreads. Pinworms can penetrate the thickness of the intestinal mucosa, causing the formation of granulomas. Sometimes worms crawl into the vagina, uterus and ovaries. Because of this, the female organs become inflamed.

What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is one of the serious infectious diseases. The center of this disease is in the nerve cells of almost all organs. This fairly common disease belongs to the venereological group. This pathology is not hereditary.

Genital herpes is transmitted sexually, through kissing, and through shared objects (cutlery, toys, personal hygiene items). It is important to note that most infected people do not notice any symptoms at all. They may not realize that they pose a danger to others.

The incubation period of herpes is 7 days. The infection reaches its peak in one and a half months. The disease is prone to persistent progression with relapses. Symptomatic elements of the rash can be located grouped or separately. These are small blisters that appear on the swollen and reddened base of the mucous membrane of the genitourinary system, as well as on the skin of the perineum.

Here you will find a similar article on the topic of herpes on the body.

Genital herpes in children

Newborn babies have very weak immunity, so the disease can manifest itself in the first week after birth. The main signs are the appearance of hemorrhage in the form of dots on the genital mucosa, the presence of blisters, and redness of the skin. The temperature often rises, vomiting and diarrhea appear.

What complications does the disease cause?

When the parasite attaches to the intestinal wall, it secretes a harmful secretion and damages the mucous membrane. In the latter case, poorly healing ulcers form and hemorrhages occur. If tissues are deeply damaged, inflamed granulomas appear. They consist of abnormally overgrown cells, lymph and blood. Due to the fact that pinworms injure the intestines, children experience abdominal pain. The microflora is disrupted and dysbacteriosis occurs.

When the female crawls out, she damages the soft tissue. The perianal area is irritated by the secretion of the worm - abrasions, cracks, eczematous rash, and neurodermatitis appear. If the helminth penetrates the genitals of girls, endometritis and other gynecological diseases may develop.

In the presence of pinworms the acidity of the stomach decreases , food is digested worse, and the course of intestinal diseases becomes more complicated . Parasites reduce immunity, because of them the effectiveness of vaccinations decreases and the number of side effects from them increases. Medicine knows of cases where pinworms pierced the rectum and entered the abdominal cavity, followed by peritonitis.

Being in the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, parasites cause the following complications:

• inflammation of the pelvis and peritoneum;
• acute skin lesions in the perirectal area;
• stagnation of feces in the cecum;
• pyoderma;
• anemia;
• developmental delay of the child;
• disturbance of appetite and sleep; Source: R.A. Fayzullina, E.A. Samorodnova, V.M. Dobrokvashina Helminth infections in childhood // Practical Medicine, 3(42) May 2010.
• in girls – cystitis, vulvitis;
• in boys - enuresis;
• anal fissures.

Diagnosis of vulvitis in girls

The initial diagnosis can be made by a pediatrician, but further examination, identification of additional symptoms and treatment of vulvitis in children is carried out by a gynecologist. The standard diagnostic protocol includes:

• taking anamnesis;
• visual examination of the external genitalia;
• vaginoscopy;
• PCR test, smear;
• bacteriological culture;
• general urine and blood tests;
• stool examination.

If necessary, an endocrinologist, allergist, immunologist, and infectious disease specialist are involved in the examination.

Symptoms of the disease

There are many signs that a child is infected with pinworms. However, not all of them are characteristic of this disease. Therefore, children are often treated for colitis or gastritis. If there are few parasites in the body, then there may be no symptoms at all. If the disease continues for a long time, anemia occurs , the condition of nails, hair, skin worsens, and the corners of the mouth crack.

Enterobiasis has an incubation period of 1-1.5 months . The “brightness” of the clinical picture depends on the strength of the immune system and the number of worms.

There are two types of disease - acute and chronic. Everyone has their own symptoms.

Acute period

Most often, nausea, abdominal discomfort, weakness in the morning, and frequent stools occur, although they are well formed.

Chronic stage

From the moment of infection to the chronic stage, 1-2 months pass. Symptoms may remain the same as in the acute form or worsen. The main manifestations of chronic enterobiasis:

• flatulence;
• itching in the anus, which becomes stronger at night, it lasts 4-5 days, then disappears and appears again after 2-3 weeks;
• heaviness and pain in the epigastric region;
• insomnia;
• enuresis at night;
• irritability;
• increased fatigue;
• neurological symptoms - problems communicating with peers, deterioration of memory, attention, isolation, headache.

What does genital herpes look like in children?

External symptomatic signs of herpes in a child cannot go unnoticed.

They are expressed:

• small collections of blood;
• enlarged lymph nodes in the groin;
• redness in the affected area;
• blisters on the genitals.

There are several forms of the disease.

As the disease progresses to a severe form, the symptoms intensify and the following are added:

• the virus causes pain when urinating;
• belching milk can turn into vomiting;
• the temperature rises;
• loose stools;
• painful paroxysmal contractions of the child’s muscles.

Photo

Rash is not uncommon in children. Here you will find a photo of a rash on a child’s neck with explanations.

Treatment methods for detecting pinworms in a child

To treat enterobiasis, the doctor prescribes anthelmintic drugs. The dosage is determined according to the age and weight of the patient. It must be remembered that all these drugs are highly toxic and can cause adverse reactions. Pediatricians do not recommend choosing medications without consulting a specialist.

If a child is diagnosed with pinworms, then all family members need to undergo treatment. If there is a pet living in the house, it is also necessary to purchase anti-worm medication for it.

During treatment, it is also necessary to take sorbents, since anthelmintic drugs do not remove parasites from the body.

An effective regimen for taking medications and necessary procedures is prescribed by the doctor.

A number of hygiene procedures for the home are necessary:

• after the end of treatment, change the linen by ironing it with a hot iron;
• boil or wash the toys in hot water with added salt;
• Regularly carry out wet cleaning at home.

Treatment of genital herpes in children

Treatment of infection must be carried out taking into account data on the severity of the disease. The most effective is local and internal use of antiviral drugs, for example, Zovirax (acyclovir) . Course duration is up to 10 days.

For the treatment of older children (from 12 years old), acyclovir, valacyclovir, ribavirin, and famciclovir are used. But it is necessary to take into account that the listed drugs have only a virusostatic effect.

The same antiviral drugs are used to treat lichen. Here you can find detailed information about the symptoms and treatment of shingles in adults.

Local treatment

Genital herpes is treated with local remedies. They bring relief by reducing the intensity of symptoms.

Local exposure is the use of appropriate ointments, creams and sprays that relieve irritation, promoting tissue regeneration. Anti-virus ointments are applied by lightly rubbing into the skin. Carrying out the procedure about 6 times a day.

In this case, it is necessary to follow certain application rules:

• wash the affected area with warm water and soap;
• lubricate the bubbles with a cotton swab, after putting gloves on your hands;
• Wash your hands well after handling.

You might be interested! Herpes in children on the face and body: types, symptoms and treatment

But medication alone will not get rid of herpetic disease. The main goal is to restore the protective properties of the immune system. Any therapy without the implementation of this direction is ineffective.

Systemic drugs

In the fight against herpes, antiviral drugs are used, as well as interferons and immunostimulants. It is necessary to begin treating the infection when the first signs are detected. Antiviral drugs relieve pain and burning.

Acyclovir is a medicine that is given as intravenous injections or tablets. The method of its administration is chosen depending on the form of viral manifestation and the severity of the disease. Acyclovir is administered intravenously at a dosage of 30-60 mg/kg body weight. Taking the medication should be divided into 3-4 parts.

The drug is also used externally. They lubricate the affected areas 5 times a day. Interferon is used to destroy viruses and prevent their uncontrolled reproduction .

Traditional methods

There are many home remedies for treating genital herpes. In this case, you can get good results. It is important to start fighting the infection when it first appears.

Folk remedies include:

1. Fir oil, which is used to treat affected areas of the skin. The procedure is repeated every three hours. A slight burning sensation is felt during treatment. On the 3rd day of treatment, positive dynamics are observed.
2. Honey with celandine . Grind 50 grams of herbs in a meat grinder and mix with honey in the same amount. The resulting mixture is used to treat the affected areas.
3. Herbal infusion of lemon balm, chamomile, raspberry leaves, juniper fruits, thyme, motherwort. All herbs should be taken in three spoons. Add St. John's wort, wormwood and adonis (1 tablespoon). To stir thoroughly. For infusion, you will need to mix 2 tablespoons of the mixture with two glasses of boiled water and leave for 1 hour. Then strain and take half a glass four times a day for two weeks.
4. Kalanchoe juice is used as a medicine . They moisten a cotton swab and apply it to the rash.
5. You can use a bag of black tea , pour boiling water over it and infuse it. Tea is applied to the affected areas.
6. Healing baths are effective for treatment. To do this, add antiseptic essential oils, such as: tea tree, geranium, lemon, eucalyptus (7 drops each). The bath takes fifteen minutes. Water should be consistent with body temperature.

Disease prevention

To prevent a child from becoming infected with parasites, he needs to instill personal hygiene skills and ensure that:

• his nails were trimmed;
• he had no contact with street animals;
• did not put dirty objects into his mouth. Source: Clinical recommendations (treatment protocol) for providing medical care to children with enterobiasis, Federal State Budgetary Institution Scientific Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, Public organization "Eurasian Society for Infectious Diseases", Public organization "Association of Infectious Disease Doctors of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region" (AVISPO)

If you suspect enterobiasis in a child, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible and undergo a course of treatment. You can make an appointment with a medical pediatrician 24 hours a day by phone or leave a request to have a doctor come to your home.

Sources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2306321/JP Caldwell Pinworms (Enterobius Vermicularis) Can Fam Physician. 1982 Feb; 28: 306–309.
2. R.A. Fayzullina, E.A. Samorodnova, V.M. Dobrokvashina Helminth infections in childhood // Practical Medicine, 3(42) May 2010.
3. Clinical recommendations (treatment protocol) for the provision of medical care to children with enterobiasis FGBU NIIDI FMBA RUSSIA, Public organization "Eurasian Society for Infectious Diseases", Public organization "Association of Infectious Disease Doctors of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region" (AVISPO)

Markova Daria Olegovna Clinic

Author of the article

Markova Daria Olegovna

Specialty: pediatrician

Experience: 15 years

The information in this article is provided for reference purposes and does not replace advice from a qualified professional. Don't self-medicate! At the first signs of illness, you should consult a doctor.

Recurrences of genital herpes in children

Recurrence of genital herpes begins with the appearance of precursor symptoms, expressed by burning, pain, swelling in the genital area. Later, a rash appears on the mucous membranes and skin. The vesicles contain a clear liquid that begins to become cloudy. The blisters burst, forming ulcers. After 7-9 days, the ulcers heal spontaneously, leaving no marks.

Provoking factors for relapse are:

• direct contact with a carrier of the herpes virus;
• poor genital hygiene;
• decreased immunity;
• stress.

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How is balanoposthitis treated?

Usually, with such inflammation, a pediatric surgeon (urologist) prescribes conservative local treatment. Opening the head is carried out only if it is necessary to remove pus, and in all other cases it is not recommended. To treat the inflamed area, antiseptics, soothing herbs in the form of baths (chamomile, chamomile), and antibacterial ointments, for example, levomikol, are used. If a fungal infection occurs, antifungal agents are used. To relieve swelling, the child may be prescribed antihistamines. The prognosis is favorable: the disease can usually be cured within a few days.