Infectious and parasitic diseases

This category covers infectious and parasitic diseases with symptoms, causes, diagnostics, treatment options, and prevention basics.

How is cold sores spread: kissing, saliva, oral sex, and asymptomatic transmission?

Cold sores are most often caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1. It can form painful blisters and sores on the lips, around the mouth, and sometimes inside the mouth. After the initial infection, the virus persists in nerve cells for life, periodically transitioning from a dormant state to a replicating phase.

Temperature with herpes: causes, duration, treatment, and dangerous signs

Fever is possible with herpes, especially with the first infection with herpes simplex virus types 1 or 2. The World Health Organization notes that new infections may be accompanied by fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes, while many people experience no symptoms at all or only mild symptoms.

What to do if you have herpes: first steps, treatment, relapse prevention, and when to see a doctor immediately

The first thing to do if you suspect herpes is to determine what form it is: cold sores, genital herpes, eye herpes, or shingles.

Valacyclovir for herpes: how it works, when it's prescribed, treatment regimens, and safety

Valaciclovir is an antiviral drug that converts to acyclovir after oral administration. It is used to treat infections caused by herpes simplex virus type 1, herpes simplex virus type 2, and the varicella-zoster virus.

Folk remedies for herpes: what really helps, what is useless, and what can be harmful

Folk remedies for herpes may provide some relief from pain, dryness, friction, and discomfort, but they do not eliminate the virus from the body and do not replace proven antiviral medications where indicated.

A quick cure for herpes: what works the fastest and when to see a doctor

There's no quick cure guaranteed to clear herpes within a day. Modern antiviral medications can speed healing, reduce pain, shorten the duration of an episode, and reduce viral shedding, but they don't permanently eliminate the herpes simplex virus from the body because after infection, the virus persists in the nerve nodes.

Consequences of herpes: what are the dangers of the herpes simplex virus and shingles?

The consequences of herpes depend on the type of infection: herpes simplex virus type 1 most often causes cold sores on the lips and oral mucosa, herpes simplex virus type 2 most often causes genital herpes, and shingles is caused by another virus - the varicella-zoster virus.

Is herpes dangerous? When is the infection mild and when does it require urgent treatment?

In most healthy adults, herpes simplex most often causes unpleasant, painful, but time-limited episodes: blisters on the lips, mouth ulcers, skin rashes, or genital recurrences.

Zovirax for herpes: forms, action, dosage regimens, safety, and important limitations

Zovirax is the trade name for the drug acyclovir. DailyMed's official instructions clearly state that Zovirax is the brand name for acyclovir, a synthetic nucleoside analogue active against herpes viruses.

How long does herpes last? Healing times on the lips, genitals, in children, and with complications.

Herpes usually doesn't go away in 1 or 2 days: the virus causes a sequential process - tingling or burning, blisters, blistering, ulcers, crusting, and gradual healing.

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