Typically, febrile rashes on the lips do not cause particular anxiety in women.
Most of humanity is infected with herpes and only less than 10% of the population is immune to the virus. The disease can be in a state of dormancy for a long period of time, and with an exacerbation, in most cases, you can quickly get rid of obvious manifestations with the help of modern drugs or folk remedies.
But what to do if herpes appears on the lips during pregnancy? Is the disease dangerous for the baby?
Causes of cold sores on lips during pregnancy
The herpes virus penetrates a healthy body by contact or by airborne droplets. Bypassing the site of infection in the form of mucous membranes, respiratory or genital tracts, the infection moves through the bloodstream and reliably invades the nerve cells. Once in the body, which mainly occurs in childhood, herpes settles for life.
The virus is able to stay dormant for a long time. Antibodies produced in the human body effectively inhibit the development of pathology. Therefore, before the onset of favorable conditions, herpes may not manifest itself and the woman may be completely unaware of what is the carrier of the harmful microorganism.
Herpes begins to rebel and manifest itself outwardly with a sharp decrease in the body's defenses. The most common signs of herpes are:
- after hypothermia;
- under the influence of nerve surge;
- due to colds or viral diseases;
- with exacerbation of chronic ailments;
- under the influence of general overwork;
- with an imbalance in the hormonal background;
- due to lack of vitamin and other nutrients.
It would seem that a woman during pregnancy is making every effort to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and the body should activate additional opportunities to protect the baby from adverse effects.
But oddly enough, the immune ability from the moment of conception in the female body is significantly limited. This is due to the fact that the fetus actually carries the alien proteins of the biological father. Without a certain reorganization, the immune maternal blood cells, having discovered a foreign body, would undertake all possibilities to get rid of it. In this case, the conflict will not allow the fetus to be born.
Nature to reduce the susceptibility of the female body during pregnancy to unfamiliar particles provides a significant reduction in the ability of the immune system. And it does not act selectively, but the inhibition of the whole body's immunity occurs. And as a result, the ability to resist and dangerous infections is reduced.
If herpes was present before conception, he will, having felt weak resistance, will try to manifest itself in pregnancy in all its glory.
What are the threats to the fetus with herpes during pregnancy?
The herpes virus, settling in the body, always causes a response, which is expressed by the formation of certain antibodies that can mute the manifestation and activation of the infection. Antibodies to herpes simplex, appearing rash on the lips, are of two types. IgM class immunoglobulins appear immediately after infection and exist in the body for up to two months. Ig G antibodies formed a little later, but fulfill their function throughout the life of the infected.
If a woman had signs of herpes before conception, there are uniquely herpes guards in her body. These particles will reliably protect the baby during pregnancy from infection with a malicious infection. The likelihood of serious abnormalities in the activation of herpes on the lips during pregnancy exists if the woman has serious pathologies of the immune nature of an inborn or acquired type.
Herpes on the lips during pregnancy during the initial infection is dangerous. Such cases are quite rare and pose a great threat at any time:
First three months high probability of miscarriage or fading of pregnancy. Doctors in some cases of infection with herpes recommend abortion due to the possibility of fetal developmental pathologies.
Fourth to Sixth Month Infection fraught with fetus abnormal pathologies incompatible with life.
Last three months the introduction of infection into the body can trigger pathologies in the form of:
- deviations of the physical development of the fetus;
- severe damage to the nervous system;
- pneumonia;
- heart defects;
- brain development defects;
- significant hearing impairment, vision.
Even if signs of herpes on the lips were not observed before pregnancy, this does not confirm the absence of the virus in the blood. Therefore, one can only judge infection or relapse by receiving herpes screening results.
Diagnosis of herpes on the lips during pregnancy
Herpes on the lips during pregnancy has quite pronounced signs. And outwardly it is almost impossible to confuse with other diseases:
At the beginning of relapse appears itching and slight burning in the corners of the mouth or other parts of the lips.
Later begins to manifest swellingthat develops into painful blisters.
In the third stage, numerous bubbles burst and appear in their place sores. The released fluid necessarily contains microparticles of the virus and becomes a source of infection.
On the sores are formed cruststhat cannot be deleted. If they are removed prematurely, bleeding may begin.
Herpes exacerbation may be accompanied general weakness and fever.
Doctor enough visual inspection to determine herpes on the lips during pregnancy. But to confirm and clarify the timing of infection and possible threats will need additional laboratory tests, which are carried out in several stages:
Polymerase chain reaction allows you to detect in the blood, as well as in the materials taken for analysis from sites of damage, the presence of the causative agent of the virus.
Linked immunosorbent assay Helps determine the presence of antibodies in the blood. Depending on the type and amount of immunoglobulins, the timing of infection can be judged. Upon detection of antibodies of class G, it is confirmed that the pregnant woman has the ability to fight an infection that has entered the body long before conception. And an increase in their number in dynamics indicates a relapse of the pathology. The presence of type M immunoglobulins indicates the primacy of infection.
General tests of urine, blood, which are mandatory for all diseases during pregnancy, show normal, without deviations indicators.
At primary infection, depending on the duration of pregnancy, additional studies and observations are carried out, allowing track the condition of the fetus.
Treatment of herpes on the lips during pregnancy
It is impossible to completely get rid of the virus. Once in the body, he settled in it forever. Treatment directed to reduce the bright symptoms of herpes on the lips during pregnancy and the prevention of manifestations of infection in new places. In the absence of competent therapy, herpes can last for quite a while, affecting new areas of the skin and causing dangerous complications.
Despite the prevalence of the disease and the availability of a variety of antiherpetic drugs in pharmacies, only a doctor can deal with herpes on the lips during pregnancy.
Common preparations of immune and antiviral action during pregnancy are strictly prohibited to use.
The most commonly prescribed antiviral ointments are local action, which are practically unable to penetrate the blood and can not harm the child.
Common medications for treating cold sores on lips during pregnancy include ointments such as Acyclovir, Herperax, Zoviraxas well as the general antiviral nature of the type Viru-Mertz Serola, Priory, Erazabana.
If the ointment begins to apply at the onset of relapse, manifested characteristic tingling, the appearance of bubbles, and even more sores can be avoided.
Additionally, the use of folk methods in the form of aloe juice, sea buckthorn oil, which will enhance the effect of ointments.
At the stage of drying sores, you can use emollient ointments to prevent cracking wounds.
In the treatment of herpes on the lips during pregnancy, you should adhere to important recommendations:
- Ointments should be applied in a thick layer, slightly rubbing into the formation.
- Do not stop using antiherpetic agents after the appearance of crusts.
- Apply funds to the wounds not with your hands, but with special cotton buds.
- Do not puncture emerging bubbles to avoid the spread of infection.
- Take precautions: wash your hands after contact with the affected area, do not use cosmetics to apply on infected areas, avoid contact with eyes through hands.
Measures for the prevention of herpes on the lips during pregnancy
First of all, pregnant women should eliminate any communication with carriers of the infection in the active phase. If herpes is pronounced manifested in the family, you should take care of the allocation of personal utensils and hygiene products. About kisses and other manifestations of feelings, wearing close contact, it is worth to forget for the period of exacerbation of the disease.
It is worth taking care of strengthening the immune defense of your own body. This will help events in the form of:
good sleep, rest;
good nutrition;
intake of vitamins and minerals recommended by doctors;
possible hardening;
the correct mode of work, rest;
avoidance of nervous tension, stress;
frequent exposure to air;
practicing acceptable types of therapeutic exercises during pregnancy.
Herpes reacts differently to the composition of the diet. The amino acid arginine, which is present in sweets, especially in chocolate and raisins, contributes to its reproduction.
And the virus does not like products in which the amino acid lysine is present.
Therefore, it is worth adding more dishes with the content to the food:
- milk;
- chicken meat;
- vegetables;
- fruit.
Contributes to the suppression of infection zinc, which is present in pumpkin seeds, mushrooms, nuts, blueberries.
Saturating your diet with healthy dishes, you can create a good barrier against the development of herpes infection.
Having found signs of herpes on the lips during pregnancy, you should not start to panic.
There are many ways to suppress severe symptoms. And in order not to worry about the fate of the baby, contact your gynecologist.
Modern diagnostic methods will quickly dispel doubts or outline the tactics of further therapy.
