Complications of Herpes.
Reading Herpes, Herpes Virus|Cause of Herpes and Symptoms of Herpes will only keep you well informed about this disease and help you to understand the Herpes complications better. Do not mix up symptoms with complications. Simply put, symptoms are how the disease presents itself and complications are what damage the disease can cause to your body.
These complications of genital herpes, oral herpes and ocular herpes are complications due to herpes simplex virus. These complications are rare. Still, for sake of knowledge and information on herpes, we explain these 14 complications of herpes below.
Effects of Herpes.
1) Herpes makes you more Prone to HIV. (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).
The Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 which causes genital herpes facilitates the spread of the HIV ( the virus responsible for AIDS). People who have genital virus are more susceptible to being infected by HIV and also more prone to shedding of HIV.
2) Herpes causes Cervical Cancer.
Long term genital herpes has been associated with cervical cancer of the uterus.
3) Herpes can cause Bladder Failure.
Long term infection of genital herpes causes neuropathy of the sacral nerve, where the herpes virus stays throughout life. This sacral nerve neuropathy can cause bladder failure. Bladder functions are controlled by the pudendal nerve which originates from the sacral nerve.
4) Herpes and Erythema multiforme.
This is an allergic skin reaction caused the herpes simplex virus. It is characterized by mild inflammation of the skin and seen more in children and young adults. It causes damage to blood vessels of the skin and the skin tissue. It is however self limiting.
5) Herpes effect of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
This is a serious skin disorder affecting the skin and the mucous membrane, caused by the herpes virus. It is characterized by painful red or purplish rash with blisters. It results in shedding of the top layer of the skin.
6) Herpes complication of Hepatitis and Hepatic failure.
This is very, very rare and is believed to be caused by disseminated herpes simplex virus infection.
7) Herpes complication during pregnancy.
In pregnant mothers with an active herpes infection during delivery are advised caesarian section to avoid passing on the herpes infection to the newborn. If the herpes is not active, normal delivery may be resorted to. Passing of the herpes infection to the newborn is rare. But if the newborn is infected, following complications may arise:
- The baby may die.
- The newborn baby may suffer from damage to the nerves, skin and the eyes.
- The delivery may be premature.
- Herpes in newborns can cause encephalitis.
- Newborns with herpes infection respond very well to anti viral drug therapy.
Herpes Encephalitis.
This is viral infection of the brain tissue caused by the oral herpes virus and is very rare. This occurs as a result of the oral herpes virus spreading via the trigeminal nerve, where it stays lodged, to the brain. One out of a quarter to half a million of herpes patients contract herpes encephalitis. With treatment, mortality rate is low at about 19%. Untreated patients suffer a mortality of about 70%.
9) Herpes meningitis.
This is viral infection of the meninges (membrane covering the brain) caused again by the oral herpes virus and is rare.
10) Herpes pharyngitis
This sore throat is another complication of oral or mouth herpes and responds well to treatment.
11) Bell’s Palsy.
This is weakness and or paralysis of one side of the face caused by the oral herpes virus. This is temporary and self limiting.
12) Herpes effect of Atopic Eczema.
This is an allergic inflammation of the skin where one of the allergens can be the herpes virus. Eczema due to herpes presents with blisters and sores. Patients with atopic eczema show an increased tendency to have hay fever and asthma.
13) Stromal Keratitis.
25% cases of ocular herpes develop this condition due to the inner layers of the cornea being infected by the herpes virus. It results in scarring of the cornea and can rarely result in blindness.
14) Pneumonia, Esophagitis and Adrenal gland damage.
These complications due to herpes arise when the immune system of the body has become compromised or weak.
Complications of Herpes are serious and not so serious. However, to reiterate, these herpes complications and effects are rare, but are seen.
These complications can therefore be summarized as:
- Complications of genital herpes,
- Complications of Oral or mouth herpes and
- Complications of ocular or eye herpes.
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