Herpetic infection is a disease caused by herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2; it belongs to the category of TORCH infections along with toxoplasmosis, rubella and cytomegalovirus. Herpetic infection is widespread, and recently there has been an increase in the number of cases of herpetic lesions detected, which is most likely due to the expansion of the range of diagnostic tests. Herpes simplex virus type 1 most often affects the skin and mucous membranes, type 2 leads to damage to the urogenital tract. The source of infection can be either a sick person or an asymptomatic carrier. This disease can be transmitted by household contact, during sexual intercourse; the «vertical» route of transmission from mother to child is also known. Depending on the extent of the lesion, localized, widespread and generalized forms are distinguished; the course of herpes infection can be acute, subacute and chronic; latent course of the disease is often found. In addition to the skin and mucous membranes, the central nervous system and (less often) internal organs can be affected. A typical clinical manifestation of herpes simplex is small blistering eruptions that appear on the face, mucous membrane of the lips, wings of the nose, ears, limbs, gluteal folds. The eruptions are usually preceded by itching and hyperemia at the site of the lesion. Diagnosis of herpes infection is carried out on the basis of clinical data and laboratory tests of blood or vesicle contents. Treatment of the disease involves the prescription of antiviral drugs, symptomatic agents, and immunocorrective therapy. Complete removal of the virus from the body is usually impossible, but strengthening the defenses and normalizing the lifestyle contribute to a significant decrease in the frequency of possible relapses.
Resveratrol as a Novel Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus Nutraceutical Agent: An Overview
