Herpes during breastfeeding: causes and treatment. Genital herpes during breastfeeding Herpes treatment for a nursing mother

Any disease that occurs in a woman during lactation should undergo appropriate treatment, especially when it comes to herpes.

Causes of exacerbation of the virus in hepatitis B

When the immune system is weakened, they begin to appear. Immunity, in turn, weakens for the following reasons:

Systematic lack of sleep, which has a particularly strong effect on well-being.
Compliance with a diet when breastfeeding due to allergic diathesis in a child, which entails a weakening of the protective properties of the body.
Self-administration and use of additional vitamin preparations, due to which the body's natural defenses are also destroyed.
Adhering to various diets in order to get rid of extra pounds as soon as possible, which dramatically reduces the body's resistance.
An unstable emotional state associated with recent childbirth and a wide variety of experiences in the female.

You can minimize the risk of occurrence if you follow the right lifestyle so that in the future you do not refuse breastfeeding for as long as possible.

Clinical picture during infection

The main symptoms of herpes are:

sleepy state;
the appearance of bubbles, inside which there is a liquid;
fast fatiguability.

This viral disease breastfeeding and genitals, and be shingles. In the case of genital involvement, the nursing mother must undergo treatment together with her spouse in order to achieve a stable result. In order to avoid treatment, you should hurry up, because genital herpes is dangerous.

Despite the compatibility of herpes and breastfeeding, doctors urge breastfeeding women to avoid these problems whenever possible. To this end, it is recommended to walk more in the fresh air, timely and properly approach the treatment of colds, adhere to proper nutrition and fully rest.

Can I continue breastfeeding?

First of all, when a virus appears, it is worth consulting with a qualified specialist about further behavior regarding feeding. Herpes on the lips or is not a reason for interrupting lactation, but when the rash affects the chest, then breastfeeding should be temporarily denied to the child.

Otherwise, during this difficult period, doctors advise even more often to breastfeed the child, because antibodies against the virus begin to activate in the mother's body. These protein compounds enter the baby with milk, which serves as a kind of barrier from further infection.

When observing severe weakness, high temperature, headache, nausea or sore throat, you must immediately stop contact with the child. In this position, the disease can give complications, manifested by. fledgling children's body especially susceptible to this kind of negative changes, so the mother should carefully monitor any reactions of her own body for the timely diagnosis of herpes.

Precautionary measures

It is important to understand that feeding should be safe in the first place, for which a woman must perform several simple rules consisting of the following:

Mandatory contact with the doctor in order to prescribe the safest drugs that are not absorbed into the blood.
Each feeding should be accompanied by a preliminary thorough washing of hands and breasts, preferably with soap, after which you should not touch the affected areas.
As an additional and not at all superfluous measure, it will be the use of a cotton-gauze bandage during feeding.
Disinfection of the premises after a certain time, after removing the baby from it.
Frequent change of personal belongings and linen.
Restriction of breastfeeding with genital herpes, since its treatment is usually accompanied by taking pills.
The mammary gland affected by herpes should be expressed, and healthy - it is quite possible to continue to feed.
The use of chamomile tinctures or at the first manifestations of herpes, then it is possible to achieve drying of the neoplasms even before the formation of characteristic bubbles.

Subject to all hygiene rules, infection becomes unlikely.

How to treat herpes in a nursing mother

Depending on what type of virus is found in a woman, and also taking into account the degree of exacerbation, treatment will be prescribed. Modern drugs that involve both local and general application, help to quickly cope with herpes. As you know, in the postpartum period, the mother's body is in an exhausted state, and in order not to aggravate the condition, it is worth listening to doctors who, in treatment, start directly from the age of the child. For example, nursing mothers with children up to a month are shown only local therapy with special ointments.

Antivirals include Penciclovir and Aciclovir. Such funds purposefully fight the virus, achieving its destruction, but they are effective only at the stage of exacerbation. This is due to the fact that at this time the viruses multiply and go beyond the cells, and during remission, the genetic material is concentrated in their nucleus.

In a calm period, they are powerless, so even modern medicines become ineffective.

Together with antiviral therapy, the treatment of herpes in a nursing mother is carried out with the help of, or Laferobionom. With their help, the natural resistance of the body increases, thereby bringing remission closer.

Additionally, drying agents (,) and drugs aimed at strengthening the immune system are used, which will allow you to recover much faster.

Thus, one should not forget that herpes is easily transmitted through contact, and for a child such an infection is by no means safe and is much more difficult for them to tolerate, therefore, it is so important to remember the rules of behavior on the part of the mother during lactation.

The herpetic virus after infection of the body may not manifest itself for a long time. However, any decrease in immunity provokes the appearance of characteristic vesicles with clear liquid. The disease has a relapsing nature, periods of exacerbation occur at the most inopportune moment. One such situation is breastfeeding. If a woman has symptoms of herpes, it is important not to interrupt breastfeeding. To quickly resolve the problem, you should immediately consult a doctor.

What affects the development of the disease

The causative agent of pathology is the herpes simplex virus, which affects the face, genitals, skin. The immune system of a healthy person produces antibodies that suppress the action of the pathogen. In young mothers, when breastfeeding, there is often a failure in the protective mechanisms, so there is a high probability of the transition of herpes into the active phase and the spread of the rash throughout the body and mucous membranes.

Among the main reasons that cause a weakening of the immunity of a nursing woman, there are:

Unbalanced diet or strict diet. Allergic rashes in a baby force the mother to limit herself to protein foods. The body is not able to cope with the infection, because due to the reduction in the intake of nutrients, the production of antibodies to the herpes virus is reduced.
Chronic fatigue, lack of sleep, stress make a woman vulnerable to the action of the pathogen.
Taking immunomodulatory medications prescribed independently for the prevention of colds can provoke a backlash in the body and accelerate the appearance of a rash.

Varieties of herpetic lesions during lactation

The virus enters the body by airborne droplets, through household items, with direct contact with the carrier. After infection, the pathogen is spread through the bloodstream to internal organs. Through the nerve endings, herpes is built into the cellular structure and remains forever in the body. Depending on the type of infection, the disease manifests itself in different parts of the body and mucous membranes.

A common feature of herpetic lesions is the formation of itchy small vesicles arranged in clusters. After 3-4 days, the contents of the papules break out, the wound is covered with a crust, under which a new layer of the epidermis begins to form.

Eruptions on the lips

Most often, herpes during lactation occurs on the lips, sometimes bubbles form on the wings of the nose. Such a rash is provoked by the herpetic virus type 1, which is transmitted through household items, as well as through contact of mucous membranes (kissing). Swelling in the mouth is accompanied by itching. It is strictly forbidden to comb the formations so as not to provoke the progression of the infectious process.

The primary manifestation of herpes on the lips can occur against the background of fever, weakness, aching joints. With the recurrence of the disease, the general condition of the patient is not disturbed.

Herpetic rash on the genitals

Genital herpes occurs in the perineum, on the pubis, labia, inner thighs. Additionally, a small rash with cloudy contents is detected by a gynecologist when examining the cervix and vaginal walls. Bursting vesicles cause discomfort and burning during urination, and yellowish discharge is possible. Often the disease is preceded by fever, chills, weakness, characteristic of a common ARVI (ARI).

A rash on the genitals is caused by a type 2 virus. Its activation is associated with an exacerbation of infection in a sexual partner or a decrease in immunity in a nursing mother. Sometimes the disease occurs against the background of infection of the genitourinary system with other pathogens.

It is necessary to treat genital herpes as soon as possible to avoid complications of the disease. The result depends on timely access to a specialist and correctly appointed drug therapy.

Shingles

Herpetic virus type 3 (Varicella-Zoster) infects with chickenpox or causes an exacerbation of the disease in the form of shingles. Since the pathogen is localized in the nerve endings, the development of infection can be accompanied by severe pain. In this case, the rash affects a significant part of the body. Herpes zoster is treated with topical preparations in the form of ointments in combination with tablet forms of drugs.

Risks of infection for the child's body

The infection is considered the most dangerous for newborns and infants up to a year. Due to the imperfection of the immune system, the virus easily enters the body by contact and infects the tissues of the child, disrupting their full functioning. The disease begins with fever, discomfort in the area of inflammation, the appearance of a rash with watery contents. When the mucous membrane of the eyes is infected, there is a risk of developing herpetic keratitis: severe damage to the cornea is accompanied by photophobia, redness and pain of the eyeballs.

Should I continue breastfeeding?

Despite the danger of infection, experts recommend continuing lactation and not changing the application regimen, since it is impossible to contract the herpes virus through milk. During the period of exacerbation of the disease, a nursing woman produces antibodies that are transmitted to the child through HB and serve as a prevention of pathology.

It is important to remember that the herpetic virus enters the body by direct contact with the affected areas of the skin and mucous membranes, so a young mother needs to follow a number of precautions:

In case of inflammation on the lips, it is necessary to avoid contact with the baby's skin (close hugs, kisses). To prevent the transmission of infection by airborne droplets, a disposable gauze bandage should be worn.
If the rash has affected the nipple area, you can temporarily stop feeding to keep the baby away from the infected area. In the absence of rashes on the other breast of the baby, it is allowed to apply to healthy skin.
Wash your hands with soap and water before breastfeeding.
You should purchase separate dishes for the child.

Principles of therapy

First of all, it is necessary to treat a herpes infection during lactation. local preparations with antiviral action:

Acyclovir.
Panciclovir.
Valaciclovir.

If you start using funds for early stages inflammation, there is a high probability of rapid suppression of the virus.
For the treatment of genital herpes, ointments and creams are also prescribed that do not pose a danger to a woman during the GV period. The active components of drugs are not absorbed into the blood and are not transmitted to the baby through milk. To enhance the protective properties of the body, immunomodulators in the form of suppositories ("Kipferon", "Viferon") are used.

At severe course shingles can be taken systemic drugs or tablets. If they are not compatible with breastfeeding, the baby is transferred to formula milk for the entire period of mother's treatment. It is recommended that a woman pump regularly in order to easily resume lactation after recovery.

Getting rid of herpes rash takes 7-10 days. If the wounds and sores do not go away and continue to spread, the patient should seek medical help.

Preventive measures

To prevent unpleasant rashes, a woman needs to improve sleep, avoid stressful situations, and avoid visiting public places during an exacerbation of colds. To maintain immunity and develop the necessary antibodies, you should enrich the diet with protein foods (sour-milk products, lean meat, fish, cottage cheese). Moderate exercise and being in the fresh air also help to strengthen the body and reduce the risk of developing a herpes infection.

According to the global estimates of the World Health Organization, published in the journal PLOS ONE in 2015, the herpes simplex virus (herpes) type 1, which is often referred to as HSV-1, is infected with 67% of the world's inhabitants under the age of 50, which is 3. 7 billion people.

According to other data, at least 90% of the total population is affected by the herpes virus (one or more strains of the virus at the same time). It is clear that this virus can also be found in women who are breastfeeding babies, so it is very important to know how a nursing woman can treat this viral disease and which antiviral drugs can be taken safely for mother and child.

What you need to know about herpes

It is very important to understand that the herpes virus is indeed very common on the entire planet - out of every ten people only one is not infected with this virus, so the likelihood that the mother still has the virus is very high.

One of the features of the herpes virus is its ability to stay in the body for a long time and not manifest itself, so many people do not even realize that they are carriers of the virus. The infection worsens and relapse occurs only when the body's immune defenses weaken, so lactating women are also at risk.

The herpes virus manifests itself with quite characteristic symptoms - a rash on the skin of small and very painful bubbles. Most often, the places of localization of herpes are the skin, genitals (genital herpes) and eyes.

To date, eight types (strains) of the herpes virus are known:

Herpes simplex type 1, which causes vesicles to appear on the lips (“fever”, “colds”);
Herpes simplex (Herpessimplex) of the 2nd type, which causes genital problems (genital herpes);
Herpesvirus type 3 (Herpeszoster) causes chickenpox in children and shingles;
Herpesvirus type 4 is the Epstein-Barr virus, which causes infectious mononucleosis;
Herpes virus type 5 is a cytomegalovirus;
Herpes viruses of the 6th, 7th and 8th types have not yet been fully studied, however, there are suggestions that these viruses may be important, for example, when the syndrome appears chronic fatigue or if you suddenly develop a skin rash.

Any herpes virus can be transmitted by direct contact, through household items and by airborne droplets and enters the body through mucous membranes, especially through the mucous membrane oral cavity through the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and through the mucous membranes of the female and male genital organs. After the herpes virus overcomes the tissue barrier, it enters the blood and lymphatic fluid, which carry the virus to the internal organs.

Attention! Once in the body, the herpes virus is able to penetrate the nerve endings, after which it is integrated into the genes, after which it becomes impossible to get rid of the virus - once it gets into human body, the herpes virus remains forever.

After the herpes virus enters the body, the immune system begins to produce special antibodies that block virus particles moving through the bloodstream.

Attention! New viral proteins begin to be synthesized in the body two hours after infection enters the cell, and the maximum amount of virus proteins becomes eight hours after infection.

As a rule, the virus awakens and activates when there is insufficient intake of vitamins (with hypovitaminosis), with a decrease in immunity, with colds and with hypothermia, which often happens in the cold season. However, according to the observations of clinicians and scientists, herpes can also become active in the hot season due to overheating of the body.

Attention! Infection of cells with a viral infection causes dystrophic changes in cells and leads to their death.

Scientists at Columbia University were able to find out that the herpes virus is one of the stimulating factors in the development of such a serious neurological disease as Alzheimer's disease. The same conclusion was reached by researchers who worked at the University of Manchester - they proved that the herpes simplex virus (Herpessimplex) is present in the brain tissues of almost 70% of patients who suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, one of the latest studies made it possible to prove that 90% of the plaques that form in the brain tissues during Alzheimer's disease contained herpes simplex DNA (Herpessimplex) of the first type - HSV-1.

Attention! With a severe development of a herpetic infection, the central nervous system (CNS) can be affected, while the possibility of developing such serious illnesses like meningitis and encephalitis.

Herpes during lactation

The lactation period, when all the forces of the female body are directed to breastfeeding, is a period of some decrease in the activity of the immune system and all the body's defenses, so the herpes virus, which used to be in the so-called dormant (or inactive) state, may well be activated.

Attention! If the human immune system is working normally, then it produces a sufficient amount of antibodies that suppress the activity of the herpes virus that has entered the cells of the nervous system. The virus is activated only when the immune system is weakened for some reason.

During lactation, various factors may appear that provoke the weakening of the female body and the activation of the herpes virus.

First of all, the cause of the weakened immunity of the female body during lactation can be a diet, which is due to the need to adhere to certain dietary restrictions associated with the refusal to have products that are potentially dangerous for the baby in the menu, including the restriction of protein components. The restriction in the protein menu causes a decrease in the activity of the immune system and, as a result, to the possible activation of the herpes virus;
An important reason that can lead to a decrease in immune activity is insufficient rest and insufficient sleep. It is known that chronic lack of sleep is a serious stress for any body, and especially for the female body during breastfeeding. If a woman who is breastfeeding does not have time to sleep and rest normally, then the defenses of her body weaken, so the body becomes more vulnerable to any infection, including herpes infection, which could be in the body in an inactive (sleeping) state;
Another reason for the weakening of the female body during lactation can be self-medication, including the independent decision to take any drugs that have an immunomodulatory effect. Many young mothers seek to protect themselves from possible colds and start taking drugs that stimulate the immune system, but the response of the immune system can be completely unexpected and unpredictable. Sometimes a malfunction of the immune system, artificially provoked by the ill-considered use of immune drugs, leads to an exacerbation various diseases and conditions of the body, including the activation of the herpes virus dormant in the body - herpes simplex (Herpessimplex) of the first type.

Attention! Any self-medication and an independent decision to take any medications can have negative consequences, therefore, self-prescription, especially during breastfeeding, is categorically unacceptable. Any drug should be prescribed only by a doctor and only strictly in accordance with the indications.

To avoid the activation of the herpes virus in the body of a nursing woman, she should eat normally, including everything in her diet. necessary components, including the required amount of protein food, enough rest and avoid stressful situations.

Types of herpes that can become active during lactation

During breastfeeding, different strains of herpes infection can be activated, which will manifest itself in different ways. In addition, the ability of the body's immune system to effectively resist the infectious process is of no small importance.

Very often, a herpes infection manifests itself as rashes on the lips . This type of herpes infection is caused by the herpes simplex virus (Herpessimplex) of the first type, which can be transmitted through any household contact, including sharing utensils and kissing.

The symptoms of this type of infection are very obvious - they can neither be missed nor confused with anything. In this case, itching begins in the area of \u200b\u200bthe lips and some swelling appears, and the itching can be quite severe. A little later, in the same places that were very itchy, small bubbles with watery contents appear. Sometimes the same watery bubbles can appear on the wings of the nose.

Attention! In no case should you comb itchy vesicles that appear on the lips as a result of a herpes infection, because this will contribute to the spread of the infection and complicate the healing of skin lesions.

If the appearance of itching and blisters on the lips is accompanied by additional symptoms, among which are the appearance of general weakness, an increase (sometimes significant) in body temperature, the appearance of aches throughout the body, then we can talk about primary infection. An exacerbation of an existing infection is almost never accompanied by such a reaction. , and is manifested only by itching and the formation of watery vesicles-rashes.

With an exacerbation of a herpes infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (Herpessimplex) of the first type, it is used local treatment- itchy and swollen areas of the skin should be lubricated as soon as possible with special antiviral gels or ointments that will prevent the development of the disease and the appearance of blisters. In the vast majority of cases, no other measures are required.

Attention! If a specific itching appears on the lips, indicating an exacerbation of a herpes infection, then it is very important to start treating this area with special preparations as soon as possible.

The second type of herpes infection manifests itself rashes on the genitals, that is, on the genitals. This type of herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (Herpessimplex) type 2, which in women during lactation can manifest itself as a result of reduced immunity or due to the fact that the virus has become more active in a sexual partner.

Symptoms of infection with the herpes simplex virus (Herpessimplex) type 2 appear in almost every case of the disease or its exacerbation.

Most often, symptoms can be chills, high or elevated body temperature, general weakness and malaise, and most often these symptoms can be easily confused with symptoms of any cold or acute respiratory infection (ARI). The real reason malaise is detected only after the appearance of rashes characteristic of a herpes infection on the genital organs.

When infected with the herpes simplex virus (Herpessimplex) type 2, rashes appear on the skin of the external genital organs of a woman, which look like bubbles with vague contents inside. Such a rash causes discomfort due to severe itching.

The place of localization of rashes in genital herpes is the mucous membrane of the large and small labia, the inner side of the thighs, the pubis, the perineum. On examination, a gynecologist can detect the same rash on the mucous membrane of the vagina and even on the cervix. The development of the infectious process leads to the fact that itchy and causing a lot of discomfort bubbles burst, after which urination becomes painful, because urine enters the open wounds at the site of the burst bubbles.

Attention! Self-treatment of genital herpes (herpes simplex type 2) is impossible, so consultation with a gynecologist or dermatovenereologist is required.

In case of infection with genital herpes or exacerbation of a chronic infection, effective treatment is possible only if the drug therapy is correctly and timely selected. The longer the visit to the doctor is postponed, the longer the treatment process will continue and the more the likelihood of exacerbations of the pathological process increases.

Another type of herpes infection that can flare up during lactation is the herpes virus type 3 (Herpeszoster), which causes chickenpox or, in children, shingles. The location of the herpes virus of the third type (Herpeszoster) is nerve cells, so this type of herpes infection causes not only rashes, but also severe pain.

With herpes zoster infection, if it is a primary infection, high or elevated body temperature and general weakness are possible. With the secondary development of the disease, that is, with an exacerbation of the disease with a chronic course, the symptoms may be limited to specific rashes on large areas of the body and pain.

For effective treatment shingles, you need to immediately consult a doctor who can correctly select the necessary medications for internal reception and for local application.

Attention! For the effective treatment of the third type of herpes virus (Herpeszoster), the use of only topical preparations (gels or ointments) is not enough, but only a doctor can choose the correct tablet forms of preparations and their dosage in each case.

Doctors believe that getting any type of herpes while breastfeeding does not require stopping breastfeeding or adjusting the feeding regimen. However, it is very important that a nursing mother adheres to several rules during the treatment of any herpes infection.

First of all, breastfeeding when the mother is infected with the herpes virus or during an exacerbation of a chronic process stimulates the production of specific antibodies that can block the pathological process, suppressing its activity. This happens, as a rule, three to five days after infection or the onset of an exacerbation.

As soon as antibodies begin to be produced in the mother's body that can fight a herpes infection, they immediately begin to enter breast milk. Thus, the continuation of breastfeeding even with an exacerbation of a herpes infection (or with a primary infection) forms immunity in a child and can be considered one of the types of herpes prevention.

The next rule is to interrupt (temporarily suspend) breastfeeding should only be when specific herpetic rashes appear on the nipples. Rashes on any other parts of the body do not require interruption of breastfeeding.

Attention! If herpetic eruptions appear only on one breast, then you can feed the baby with the other breast.

It is very important to prevent possible contact of the baby with the affected areas of the skin, since direct contact with infected areas of the skin and / or mucous membranes remains the main source of infection with a herpes infection.

So that the herpes virus does not remain on the hands while feeding the baby and when caring for him, you must constantly wash your hands with soap - for some time the herpes virus will be removed from the skin of your hands.

Attention! In accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, there is no need to interrupt breastfeeding with a diagnosed herpes infection.

Medicines for the treatment of herpes infection during lactation

Attention! Treatment of a herpes infection during breastfeeding can only be carried out by a doctor who must prescribe the appropriate drug and determine the necessary dosage and regimen.

For the treatment of herpes infection during breastfeeding, drugs Acyclovir, Valtrex, Fenistil in tablet form for internal use and in the form of ointments or gels for topical external use can often be used.

If the vesicles that indicate a herpes infection appear only on the lips, then, as a rule, treatment is carried out only with topical preparations. The sooner treatment is started, the more successful and effective it will be - if, after the appearance of skin itching, apply to this place medicine very quickly, it is quite possible to avoid the appearance of herpetic vesicles.

If genital herpes or shingles (Herpeszoster) are diagnosed, then local treatment is necessarily combined with taking medications that are allowed during lactation. Stop or interrupt breastfeeding in this case should not be.

Aciclovir is considered the drug of first choice for viral infections in lactating women. The active substance under the same name contains various antiviral drugs, for example, Zovirax. The principle of action of Acyclovir is that the drug destroys the DNA of the herpes virus and the virus cannot spread.

Interesting! Gertrude Elion, the US pharmacologist who led the team that developed Acyclovir, was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1988.

The international drug guide E-LACTANCIA calls Acyclovir a completely safe drug for use during breastfeeding. This opinion is supported by the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics. In addition, Acyclovir is approved for use in newborns, which confirms the high safety profile of the drug.

The next generation of Acyclovir preparations is represented by Valaciclovir, which can be supplied to pharmacy chains under the trade names Valvir, Valtrex or others. The international drug formulary E-LACTANCIA confirms the compatibility of Valaciclovir with breastfeeding in the treatment of viral infections. It is very important that no side effects when used by the mother of this drug in infants, it was not observed.

Another safe medication that is allowed in the treatment of herpes infection during breastfeeding is Penciclovir, which, when sold in pharmacy chains, may have the trade name Fenistil Pencivir or Fenistil. The international drug guide E-LACTANCIA reports that this drug is practically not absorbed into breast milk and is not detected in blood plasma.

Attention! dosage form the drug, its dosage, order and duration of use should be determined only by a doctor.

Therapy for genital or herpes zoster may include other drugs in different forms. However, any drug should always be prescribed only by a doctor.

Prevention of infection with herpes

To avoid contracting herpes or exacerbating a herpes infection, you must strictly adhere to a few rules:

It is very important to constantly strengthen the immune system;
Get enough sleep and get enough sleep;
The daily menu should contain a sufficient amount of all substances necessary for health, including fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, micro and macro elements;
Physical and psychological stresses that can seriously weaken the immune system should be avoided;
Sufficient attention should be paid to healthy physical activity and being outdoors
During seasonal bursts of morbidity, including an increase in the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections(ARVI), it is very important not to be in crowded places unless absolutely necessary.

If herpes flares up quite often, it is best to go to a special laboratory diagnostics and all the necessary examinations to identify possible hidden infectious processes occurring in the body.

Attention! Folk remedies in the treatment of herpes are ineffective, because they are not able to influence the development of the virus and localize it. Drying and softening folk remedies it makes sense to apply only after the vesicles of the herpetic rash have already burst and a crust forms in their place.

Genital herpes during breastfeeding is not a contraindication. Moreover, along with milk, the child will receive protective antibodies. However, during this period, you should be very careful, because there is a high risk of infection of the baby. And only in some cases it is recommended to stop HB for the duration of treatment.

How to prevent infection of the crumbs

After the birth of a child, a woman's body experiences increased stress, as a result of which the immune system is significantly weakened. Therefore, very often it is during this important period that many ailments worsen, especially genital herpes. This may be the first episode or recurrence of the disease.

Genital herpes is characterized by the appearance of rashes on the external and internal genital organs. These vesicles contain active virus. Therefore, a woman must take all possible measures to prevent its spread and protect the child. To do this, you must strictly adhere to certain rules:

Breastfeeding during genital herpes does not need to be stopped. After all, the child does not come into contact with rashes, so there is no direct risk for infection. The only exception is when herpetic vesicles appear on the nipples. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to feed the baby with a sick breast. The second mammary gland can be given, but strictly ensure that the child does not touch the patient.
Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene. In no case should the crumbs be allowed to come into contact with the rashes. After carrying out water procedures or treating the skin and mucous membranes, a woman must wash her hands well with soap and water. After all, there is a high risk of damage to the bubbles and the virus getting on the skin. If there is a baby in the house, you need to wash your hands every time you go to the baby, change the diaper, feed, etc. This simple rule will minimize the risk of infection.
For hygiene procedures, use towels and other accessories specially allocated for this purpose.

Treatment of the disease during lactation

The appearance of signs of genital herpes requires immediate treatment for medical care. This is necessary in order to make sure of the diagnosis, especially if this is a first episode. After all, there are many varieties of infectious and other ailments, accompanied by the appearance of a rash in the genital area.

In addition, herpesvirus infection is accompanied by the occurrence of pain, itching, swelling of tissues, mucous membranes and other unpleasant sensations, which lead to a significant deterioration in well-being. In some cases, chills, severe weakness, drowsiness, aching bones and muscles, and fever may occur. This threatens to reduce the amount of milk produced and even successful breastfeeding.

With herpes, only a doctor can prescribe treatment. After all, the bulk of pharmacological preparations is strictly prohibited for use during lactation.

This is due to the fact that antiviral components are able to penetrate into breast milk and thus affect the baby.

Based on the examination of the patient, the doctor develops an individual treatment plan. Depending on the severity of clinical manifestations, especially if it is a first-time genital herpes infection, a decision may be made on the need to temporarily stop HB.

After all, this requires powerful antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy, which is absolutely incompatible with breastfeeding. At this time, the child must be transferred to artificial mixtures. After the end of the course of treatment, lactation can be resumed, especially if during the reception medications the young mother pumped regularly so that the body would constantly produce milk.

If a relapse occurs, especially if, apart from the appearance of rashes, there are no other symptoms of a herpes infection, topical treatment may be used.

In this case, the woman can safely continue breastfeeding. An experienced doctor will select drugs that act only at the site of application and do not penetrate into the systemic circulation.

With their help, you can reduce the manifestations of the disease, prevent the further spread of the rash, block the reproduction of the virus in the vesicles and alleviate clinical manifestations. Antiviral ointments or creams will shorten the period of rashes and speed up the recovery of the patient.

Breastfeeding women can safely use drugs based on, etc. A doctor will help you choose the right one and describe the treatment regimen.

As a rule, antiviral ointments should be applied to the area of rashes up to 4-5 times a day. Processing should be done only after hygiene procedures, and it is advisable to apply the product with gloves or a special fingertip. If the manipulation was carried out by hand, then they should be washed well with soap and water.

Restorative therapy

Exacerbation of genital herpes occurs as a result of a weakened immune system. Therefore, apart from drug treatment, a woman should do everything possible to activate her own defenses.

And since it is strictly forbidden to take during lactation, you should use the popular recommendations:

Adhering to the necessary recommendations of the doctor and strengthening the immune system, you can safely continue breastfeeding the baby during an exacerbation of genital herpes infection. After all mother's milk- this is the most valuable thing a baby can get. Therefore, it is necessary to try with all your might to keep breastfeeding.

All diseases of a nursing or just a pregnant woman are quite dangerous. But if various colds or mild poisonings can be dealt with relatively simply, then herpes during breastfeeding will become a rather serious problem, since the methods of its treatment are very limited. Let's figure out how compatible herpes is with lactation, and how it should be treated.

Can I continue feeding?

Often, nursing mothers, when symptoms of herpes appear, stop breastfeeding the baby, fearing that they can infect him. However, doctors argue that by such actions they do not protect the baby from the disease, but, on the contrary, undermine his immunity. In addition to the fact that it is breast milk that provides the child with all the substances necessary for growth and proper development, it also contains antibodies that are produced by the mother's body in response to any viral and bacterial infections. Such antibodies, getting into the body of a newborn child with milk, create a reliable barrier against the virus in the child's body.

Since the cells of the virus do not penetrate into breast milk, it is impossible to infect a child with herpes during feeding. Therefore, the virus itself is not a reason to stop breastfeeding. However, in cases where the doctor prescribes powerful drugs that are incompatible with lactation to treat herpes, breastfeeding will have to be temporarily interrupted.

Precautionary measures

Of course, in order to reduce the likelihood of infection of the child, a woman must carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene during illness.

Wash your hands and breasts thoroughly before each feeding.
Also, with clean hands, you should change the baby's clothes, give him toys, pick him up.
During the period of illness, you can not kiss the baby, as the virus can be transmitted through the mucous membrane.
If the herpes is on the lips, then it is advisable to wear a protective cotton-gauze bandage during the period of feeding or caring for the baby (bathing, motion sickness, etc.).

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Treatment

In order to effectively treat herpes, a nursing woman should systematically follow the procedures prescribed by the doctor. And treatment should begin immediately after the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease.

In the first stages of the disease, it is usually sufficient to use topical preparations that are not absorbed into the blood, and therefore do not penetrate into breast milk. You can suppress the focus of infection with the help of ointments, active substance in which is aciclovir. These are drugs such as Zovirax, Acyclovir. They are applied several times throughout the day to the skin.

At the very beginning of the manifestation of the disease, when vesicles (vesicles) are just beginning to appear, you can use a solution of fucorcin or propolis tincture.

During breastfeeding, it is undesirable to treat herpes with pills if the form of the disease does not require the use of powerful drugs.

However, a severe form of herpes, for example, genital, can not be cured without potent drugs that penetrate into breast milk and negatively affect a newborn baby.

Therefore, in the treatment of such forms of the disease, breastfeeding should be temporarily stopped.

Some folk remedies will also help fight the disease:

Aloe juice, which is applied externally. It is best to use freshly squeezed juice from domestic plants, but you can also use pharmacy tincture.
Sea buckthorn oil. Promotes healing of cracks and ulcers on the lips. Vesicles coated with this oil dry out faster. Rosehip oil can be used in the same way.
Iodine (or brilliant green). Dries the skin and prevents the spread of the virus.
Garlic juice, which should wipe the bubbles on the skin.

Disease prevention

Since the herpes virus cannot be completely cured, people in whose body it is already present need to pay special attention to strengthening immunity so that the virus cannot manifest itself.

The immunity of a nursing mother is affected the following factors:

complete nutrition;
quality rest;
walks in the open air.

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In the event of herpes, a nursing woman should immediately seek help from a doctor and carefully follow his recommendations.

You should not treat the virus yourself, as wrong treatment may further exacerbate the problem.

At the same time, properly selected drugs and dosages will bring relief and at the same time will not harm the health of the baby.