How To Protect Yourself And Your Child From Nasal Herpes

Protecting yourself against nasal herpes – is that even possible? Aren’t more than ninety percent of all people infected with the herpes virus? Here you can find out why herpes is particularly dangerous in babies and what you should also look out for in older children if someone in your family suffers from it.

Nasal Herpes – What Is It?

Nasal herpes is not quite as common as herpes of the lip. However, it is also a form of herpes. Almost everyone is familiar with this viral disease: more than 90 percent of all people worldwide carry the virus. Under certain conditions, the disease breaks out: It then leads to an infection with the formation of blisters, in which other highly contagious viruses lie dormant. Depending on the type of virus, these blisters can appear on the lip or nose, on the eyes or even in the genital area.

Nasal herpes (herpes nasalis) can be visible or invisible: The blisters extend either only to the inside of the nose or also to its surface. If this disease affects adults, it is unpleasant but harmless. However, if there are children in the house or if they are even affected themselves, the situation is different. Even under the best hygienic conditions, it is not that easy for adults to prevent their children from becoming infected. This is because the herpes virus is highly aggressive.

Herpes: An Aggressive Viral Disease

Among the eight herpes virus types, there are two that can cause nasal herpes. These are the types HSV1 and HSV2. HS stands for herpes simplex and refers to the most common strains of the herpes virus. Each of these types has a preferred area which it predominantly infects. Although they can become active anywhere, they prefer some areas of the body over others. For example, HSV1 occurs mainly on the head and here on the lips, mouth area, eyes and nose. HSV2, on the other hand, which is particularly dangerous for very young children, affects the genital area. Other herpes diseases include shingles and chickenpox.

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No matter whether it can become dangerous to a person: Herpes on the lip or nose is always very contagious! You should always keep this in mind, because if you suffer from it yourself, for example, you can infect others with it. In families, herpes viruses are already passed on to infants – no one wants that, but it is difficult to rule out.

They are transmitted by smear infection or droplet infection. The latter can hardly be avoided with such close contact as that between mother and child. Viruses are also very tenacious: if the environment remains nice and moist, herpes viruses can survive for up to two days even on inanimate objects.

Nasal Herpes: This Is What It Looks Like

The following distinction is important. It concerns both herpes on the lip and on the nose: very many people carry the virus. However, it is not always active. The luckier of these people also never notice that they have it, because they do not feel any symptoms. But those who do have an outbreak feel it clearly. Then the disease breaks out.

Infection: You have the virus!
Outbreak: You have the virus and the symptoms of the herpes disease.

Nasal herpes is called that for a reason: The typical herpes blisters form in or on the nose. In the process, the skin becomes inflamed and the small blisters form. Sensations such as itching, burning and tightening go along with it. However, one should be careful not to touch the blisters, because their contents are extremely contagious. They contain a watery liquid, in which countless viruses swim.

Anyone who is not careful now will contaminate other areas of the body. It is particularly dangerous for the eyes due to the immediate vicinity of the nose and the herpes of the lip. Therefore, it is always: hands off the face! Even if the itch becomes unbearable, you have to pull yourself together until the danger is over. This takes a few days. When the incrustation falls off, it is over. Attention: Contrary to popular belief, even crusted blisters can still be contagious!

What Is The Problem With Nasal Herpes:

If you sneeze violently or blow your nose, the blisters burst open again and again. They can then hardly heal normally, as it happens with herpes of the lip. Nasal herpes therefore takes longer: such an outbreak can last up to four weeks! As a rule of thumb: If it lasts even longer, you should see a doctor! However, if you have children, this changes everything. Because they can also get nasal herpes.

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Children And Herpes In General

Unlike adults, herpes infections in children are more severe, be it herpes of the lip or other forms. When the disease first breaks out in them, it often looks like a mild flu. That’s why parents may not even realize what it really is. Sometimes, however, a detail points to it: the so-called cold sore. It is accompanied by fever and headache. Either it disappears again soon and the first herpes disease is over. Or the herpes continues to spread.

Herpes In The Mouth: What Is Oral Thrush?

Oral thrush (gingivostomatis herpetica) refers to herpes all over the mouth. This often occurs in children: The blisters then also form on the gums, tongue and palate. It is always HSV1, and the disease can spread from the mouth to the nose, among other places.

Usually, herpes in the mouth is very painful and causes specific problems with swallowing. It is also difficult to teach children to keep their hands off the itchy spot that torments them so much. Depending on their age, they also like to put something in their mouth. At least, after the mouth rot heals, there is no new disease of this kind. From now on the child and later the adult will only get the normal herpes on lip or also nasal herpes.

Who Gets Nasal Herpes?

Those who carry the virus will not get rid of it. However, it is also possible that the responsible HSV1 causes a different kind of herpes than the nasal herpes. There is no cure – hygiene is therefore all the more important!

These Are Common Reasons For Nasal Herpes

The reasons are not different from those for other HSV1 infections. First and foremost, it is an attacked immune system. Often stress is involved, in women hormonal fluctuations can also be a reason. Sometimes, however, no specific cause can be identified.

+ stress!
+ Psyche attacked.
+ weakened immune system.
+ too much sun, for example on vacation: UV radiation can cause herpes.
+ hormonal causes: Menstruation and other fluctuations in hormone balance.

Nasal Herpes And Genital Herpes: Can A Child Get All Of These?

Each type of herpes simplex viruses prefers certain transmission routes. Genital herpes, or HSV2, is transmitted during sexual intercourse. However, it is dangerous if an expectant mother suffers acutely from genital herpes. Then the child could become infected, with the consequence of a possible maldevelopment. At the latest, infection would be unavoidable at birth, which could lead to blood poisoning in the infant. Therefore, the examination for genital herpes is one of the important examinations before childbirth.

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Nasal herpes, on the other hand, is very easily transmitted. The signs of an initial infection then look like this:

+ high fever.
+ headache.
+ often only one cold sore.
+ swelling in the mouth or palate area.
+ itching, burning.
+ lymph glands swell.

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Herpes

How to get rid of the viruses:
It can take over a week for the blisters to crust over, often longer. Only when the blisters heal is the contagious phase over. But the problem, especially with children, is not only the high risk of infection. Parents often experience that their child hardly wants to eat or drink during this time. This is another reason why it is important to contain the disease as much as possible.

It is true that older children can cope with this disease on their own. However, because of the high risk of carrying it over, and especially with young children, it is important to seek professional help. The doctor can do a lot here. Moreover, he will provide the exact diagnosis: Is it really herpes or not something else? Above all, bacterial infections or allergies are also possible, which sometimes cause similar symptoms.

What To Do In Case Of A Nasal Herpes Outbreak

Adults rarely need medical assistance for herpes of the lip or nasal herpes. However, they like to use nasal herpes home remedies to speed up the progression of the condition and relieve symptoms. Although their effectiveness has not been scientifically proven, many people home remedies for herpes actually help.

Home Remedies Against Herpes

+ Apply creams and ointments: with zinc, with tannins.
+ Natural remedies: honey, lemon balm, tea tree oil, garlic em.

With children it is something else. Here, home remedies for herpes should be used only in consultation with the doctor. The reason is the greater sensitivity of children to essential oils such as tea tree oil. In addition, home remedies hardly help against the biggest problems: Infection of others and spreading on the own body. What the child needs is best decided by the doctor!

Nasal Herpes: Do Ointments Shorten The Outbreak?

Even an antiviral ointment can do little against the disease, as studies have shown: An ointment such as aciclovir can only shorten the herpes outbreak by one day. These ointments are available in pharmacies. Other active ingredients include ganciclovir, pencicolvier and valaciclovir. However, they are still helpful because they protect the inflamed area and reduce itching. However, never apply a nasal herpes ointment or cream with your fingers. Use cotton swabs and dispose of them immediately afterwards!

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Use Homeopathy For Nasal Herpes?

If you want to fight your nose herpes or a herpes of the lip with homeopathy, you can do this supportively. Remedies such as Sulfur or Natrum Muriaticom are often used, but also Rhus toxicodendron. Further tips and advice are available from doctors who specialize in homeopathy.

Prevent Herpes Infection!

+ Observe hand hygiene: If you or your child suffer from nasal herpes, good hand hygiene should take place above all.
+ If you wear contact lenses, make sure that viruses do not get into your eyes.
+ No too close body contact with the child!
Use separate drinking glasses and rinse them properly after use.
+ Strengthen your immune system as well as that of your child!

Herpes In Babies – Why It Is Dangerous

Babies are generally at risk from herpes, whether nasal herpes or herpes of the lip. The aggressive virus can also spread to organs in the baby. Even encephalitis is possible. Especially here, quick action is therefore called for when such a disease is noticed. Parents with acute herpes should stay away from children until they are about one and a half years old. However, infection is difficult to avoid: By age 2, about 80 percent of children come into contact with the herpes pathogen.

Conclusion Nasal Herpes And The Consequences

Nasal herpes comes from the same pathogen as herpes of the lip. This normally less dangerous form of herpes can be dangerous for babies and very young children. But the spread of the aggressive virus can hardly be stopped. The reasons are close contact between mother and child as well as the tendency of small children to scratch during the typical itch. Nevertheless, you can do a lot to avoid infection in the event of an acute outbreak. Above all, it is important to pay attention to hygiene.

Home remedies against herpes should only be used in very young children in consultation with the doctor. Going to the doctor is always good because very small babies can have problems even with herpes of the lip. If someone in your household suffers from acute herpes, he should stay away from a baby – this applies to all small children up to one and a half years. Later, the little organism will cope better, which is also important, because it is almost impossible to avoid infection: More than 90 percent of all people carry the virus.

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