Blisters on the lips are considered herpes, but herpes viruses can cause a whole range of diseases. These include infections such as chickenpox and glandular fever.
All herpes viruses are very contagious and widespread. That is why more than 90% of people carry them. After the first infection, the pathogens remain in the body for life. If the body's defenses are weakened, the various herpes viruses can lead to a new outbreak of the disease.
Herpes viruses can cause very different symptoms
Herpes viruses can cause very different symptoms. What they all have in common is that the viruses hide from the immune system in the body after the first phase of infection and remain there for life. The doctors speak of persistence. If the body's defenses are weakened, the viruses, such as cold sores, can cause symptoms again and again.
The initial infection with herpes viruses can show symptoms of the disease, but this does not have to be the case. A herpes infection can also be symptom-free. The symptoms are usually weaker when the disease breaks out again. The most well-known herpes diseases include:
- Herpes simplex viruses: Several pathogens belong to the herpes simplex virus family. Two of them, herpes simplex virus type 1 and herpes simplex virus type 2, cause similar symptoms, one in the lip area (herpes labialis) and the other in the genital area (herpes genitalis). The lip blisters begin with itching and a feeling of tightness, fill with fluid, burst and dry up. They can also appear in other places on the face, nose, eyes and cheeks. Genital herpes affects the genital area with blisters and swellings, and can also spread to the anal area and thighs. Antiviral ointments and tablets help to relieve herpes simplex infections and shorten the healing process.
- Varicella zoster virus: Chickenpox, which causes red spots, nodules, and blisters on the trunk, head, face, and extremities, is one of the varicella zoster virus diseases that mainly affects children. In later adult life, the same virus can reappear as shingles (herpes zoster) if the body's defenses are weak. The symptoms are limited to the area of the nerve tract in which the virus has previously settled. Treatment is limited to the symptoms. These include antipyretics and antivirals.
- Ebstein-Barr virus: The causative agent of glandular fever is named after its discoverers. The initial infection is usually symptom-free, sometimes flu-like symptoms with fever, body aches, body aches and tiredness occur. In addition, the lymph nodes in the neck, neck, possibly under the armpits and in the groin swell. Sore throat or tonsillitis, foul breath, hoarseness and night sweats can also occur. In very rare cases (mainly in Asia), glandular fever also becomes chronic. There is no active ingredient against glandular fever. Antipyretics help to relieve the symptoms.