Herpes and breastfeeding. Herpes when breastfeeding - how to protect the child of a nursing mother

The appearance of herpes on the lips with breastfeeding is not very rare. The main questions when such a disease occurs: is it possible to be treated without stopping the baby’s nutrition, and also how appropriate it is to take acyclovir during breastfeeding. Well, let's look into this.

What is herpes and why do wet nurses get it so often?

Herpes is one of the most common viral diseases. They affect 90% of the inhabitants of the Earth. The main symptoms: the appearance of itchy blisters on the mucous membranes and skin.

At normal operation The immune system produces antibodies to block the activity of the virus. The person remains infected without getting sick. However, with the slightest failure in protection, the number of antibodies produced decreases. Then the person is faced with the appearance of characteristic symptoms.

Herpes in a nursing mother is a common occurrence. Its development is due to a natural decrease in immunity during lactation.

But also due to additional reasons:

1. Improper nutrition (lack of protein in the diet);
2. lack of rest;
3. Self-treatment attempts (unauthorized intake of immunomodulating drugs).

Accordingly, the prevention of the disease consists in a reasonable correction of the diet, as well as in sufficient rest and the eradication of the habit of being treated without the participation of a doctor.

Types of herpes with HB

There are several types of herpes that are possible while breastfeeding:

• I type "simple": there is swelling and itching in the area of ​​​​the lips, bubbles with watery contents appear there (popularly - "cold");
• Type II "genital": the appearance of a characteristic itchy rash on the genitals. The rash spreads rapidly over adjacent skin, as well as on the mucous membrane of the labia.
• Type III "shingles" (lichen, chickenpox): the appearance of characteristic rashes along the affected nerve. During the feeding period, the disease is accompanied by severe pain.

For the treatment of type I herpes, it is sufficient to quickly apply an ointment for local treatment of affected skin areas, but cases of type II and III diseases require mandatory consultation with a dermatovenereologist or attending physician.

Self-medication is unacceptable. It is urgent to consult a doctor in order to alleviate the course of the disease as much as possible. The longer the patient delays visiting the hospital, the more severe the symptoms will be.

Herpes treatment while breastfeeding

If a nursing mother has herpes, you must follow some rules and recommendations:

• It is necessary to continue feeding the child, this will help strengthen his immunity.
• When rashes appear in the nipple area, it is necessary to interrupt feeding. If only one breast is affected, you can continue feeding the other. It is impossible to allow direct contact of the baby with an infected surface.
• If you have a cold on your lips, refrain from kissing: the child can only become infected through direct contact with the rash.

Important: according to WHO, breastfeeding is unacceptable only for HIV, and also if the child is ill with galactosemia or phenylketonuria.

Ointments and tablets for herpes

For the treatment of herpes in a nursing mother, you can use:

• Acyclovir (for types I and III);
• Valaciclovir (for all types);
• Penciclovir (ointment for rashes) - in cases where it is necessary to treat the skin of the breast, it will be necessary to wash off the ointment before feeding the baby, and as carefully as possible.

The doctor has the right to prescribe additional means of treatment. Usage folk methods allowed at your own risk and only during remission. All of these remedies are recommended to be taken in accordance with medical instructions.

Despite the seeming "triviality" of any cold, experts advise mothers not to neglect hospitals, as an irresponsible attitude to their own health can affect the baby's condition.

The herpes virus is known to almost everyone. Statistics show that only 10% of the world's inhabitants are not among those infected with any of the forms of herpes. If it once appeared in the body, the risk of relapse persists throughout life, but there is a reliable barrier that keeps it - immunity. It depends on the state of the immune system how often you will observe familiar symptoms.

Herpes manifests itself only with a weakened immune system. The cause can be illness, hypothermia, stress

Varieties of herpes

During breastfeeding, as you know, immunity decreases, and if at this time you are even a little overcooled, the disease can immediately make itself felt. It manifests itself in different ways, since the types of the causative agent of the disease also differ.

Herpes during breastfeeding can be:

• on the lips;
• on the genitals;
• shingles.

On the lips

Herpes on the lips - a virus of the first type - the most common. It is transmitted by household means, that is, through dishes, towels, etc. To a small child from a nursing mother, he can get through kisses.

First, redness and swelling appear on or near the lips, as well as on the wings of the nose, which are necessarily accompanied by itching. Then small bubbles begin to appear with a clear liquid inside, which, bursting, contribute to the emergence of new ones - already more numerous.

If herpes arose for the first time, other catarrhal symptoms may be added - fever, general weakness and malaise. With relapses, such signs usually do not happen.

Herpes on the lips is the most common and familiar to almost everyone: according to statistics, about 90% of the world's population are its carriers

Treatment in this case will be local. The main thing is to start it immediately when the slightest redness appears. In this case, it is good to have some kind of external remedy in your first-aid kit, and if it is not available, immediately purchase it. Then you have the right to count on a quick solution to the problem. If the bubbles have already appeared, it will take longer to be treated.

On the genitals

The second type of virus causes genital herpes. To the main reason for the exacerbation (decreased immunity), another one is added - the activation of the virus in the husband. The first symptoms in this case will be similar to the common cold - chills, fever, general weakness. Obstetrician-gynecologist Nana Ordzhonikidze advises to pay close attention to initial signs diseases that can easily be confusing, and only a characteristic rash that appears later will tell about the presence of an infection.

If the diagnosis is confirmed and small watery vesicles appear, they will cover the entire perineum, pubis, inside thighs and mucous membrane of the labia. They will be present even on the mucous membrane of the vagina and cervix, but only a gynecologist can detect them during examination. Another feature – severe itching- aggravate, and urination will become painful, as the bubbles will begin to burst and urine will fall into microcracks and wounds.

Treatment of genital herpes is more complicated. You will need a mandatory consultation with a gynecologist or dermatovenereologist. It is dangerous to engage in self-medication, since when prescribing it is necessary to take into account an important factor - the period of breastfeeding. As in the previous case, the sooner treatment is started, the more successful it will be.

Shingles

The third type of herpes virus causes even more serious illness- shingles, chicken pox, chicken pox. This virus is localized in the nerve endings, so the exacerbation is accompanied by itching and pain, which are the main symptoms in relapses. When the disease appears, as in the two cases described above, there is an increase in temperature and general malaise. The rash is found in the area of ​​nerve endings and quickly occupies large areas on the skin, accompanied by severe pain.

Treatment is prescribed by a therapist. Only local remedies like ointments and gels are indispensable here. Need antiviral tablets, which must be selected taking into account the fact that a woman is breastfeeding a child.

Herpes zoster is accompanied by itching, but this is too general symptom- the diagnosis should be made exclusively by a specialist

Do I need to change my feeding regimen?

Many doctors believe that it is better for a woman to stop breastfeeding while she is ill, but WHO claims that there is no reason for this.

There is a document ("Full list medical reasons for the Use of Breast Milk Substitutes” of 2009), which states that breastfeeding is unacceptable only with HIV infection, and also if the baby suffers from one of the two most serious diseases - galactosemia or phenylketonuria. In all other cases, including herpes, it is even necessary to continue lactation.

You just have to follow the rules of hygiene. Additional measures will also be needed:

1. HBV must be continued, since the activation of the virus contributes to the production of antibodies against the disease. Antibodies immediately pass into breast milk and provide the baby with protection by blocking the activity of the virus on the third to fifth day.
2. Even if rashes appear on the body, breastfeeding should be interrupted only when they have affected the skin of the nipples. In other cases - on the lips, genitals, or even with herpes zoster, the rash is not a reason to suspend or completely stop breastfeeding. If the rash is only on one breast, you can feed the baby on the other.
3. At the same time, it is necessary to carefully monitor that the child does not have contact with the affected areas of the skin on the mother's body. Herpes is transmitted by household means, so the baby must be protected in every possible way from infection. If the virus appeared on the lips, of course, there can be no question of any kisses.
4. Personal hygiene needs to be monitored more carefully than usual. Regardless of which part of the body is affected by herpes, it is necessary to wash your hands with soap as often as possible: do this before you start feeding or just pick up the baby, and also after washing or eating.

The already strict hygiene rules will need to be tightened even more, especially before contact with an infant.

If you keep cleanliness and do not forget about the rules of hygiene, you will be able to cure the virus faster or prevent infection altogether. Cleanliness is the key to health, it is not for nothing that experts have been talking about this for many years.

Treatment of herpes on the lips

Treating herpes on the lips is easier than other types of the virus. The first thing to do is not to ignore the problem or procrastinate, but to take action quickly. The virus can be dealt with at the very beginning of the development of the disease, preventing it from reaching advanced stage. Second important rule- use local remedies (ointments, creams, gels). Concentration active substances in them is low and, as a rule, they do not pass into breast milk. Lactation at this time should not be interrupted.

Local remedies for herpes help, only you need to use them systematically and according to the instructions.

Drugs for the treatment of other forms of herpes

Genital and herpes zoster are more severe and therefore more difficult to treat. It is necessary to act on them in a complex way, that is, to use external agents and antiviral tablets.

Despite the fact that there are enough drugs for oral administration, manufacturers in the instructions for use limit their use during lactation or recommend interrupting breastfeeding while the mother is being treated. It is useful to study the list of funds, but we advise you not to prescribe the funds yourself, but be sure to visit a doctor. Only a competent specialist will do this with minimal damage to the health of the child.

Consider the most famous and effective drugs:

1. Acyclovir (Acyclovir, Zovirax) is considered highly effective tool for the treatment of herpes of the first and third type. Available in the form of tablets, powder, cream and ointment.
2. Valaciclovir ("Valvir", "Valtrex") is a tablet of the next generation after acyclovir. They are used to treat all types of herpes.
3. Penciclovir ("Fenistil Pencivir") - local remedy(cream). Despite external use, it is recommended to use it during lactation very carefully, only if the expected benefit exceeds potential harm for a child. Although the latest data from the E-LACTANCIA guideline states that when applied topically, the drug is not detected in blood plasma and therefore does not penetrate into breast milk, when applied to the body, care must be taken that the child does not have contact with the treated areas of the skin, and before feeding the breast should be washed thoroughly with soap.

Acyclovir is still one of the most popular herpes remedies, coping with the first and third types of the virus.

With a weak immune system the doctor can make an additional prescription of funds to increase immunity. These are preparations with interferon ("Viferon", "Kipferon"), produced in the form of candles.

Folk remedies for the treatment of herpes are used only as auxiliary during the period of remission. To heal wounds, dry and soften the crust, you can use aloe juice or oils - tea tree or sea buckthorn.

In many women, the herpes simplex virus of the second type (HSV 2) lives in the body, which, when the body's defenses are weakened, causes a painful blistering rash on the genitals.

Exacerbation of genital herpes with HB is treated with antiviral ointments and creams, while paying attention to strengthening the immune system.

In most people, with a decrease in immunity, a “cold” appears on the lips. This disease is called labial (that is, “appearing on the lips”) herpes, its causative agent is the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV 1), which lives in the body of more than 90% of people.

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2, related to herpes labialis. Sexual revolution and fashion oral sex led to the fact that both HSV 2 and HSV 1 are detected in genital herpes.

Any event that lowers immunity allows the “dormant” virus in the body to manifest itself in the form of a rash. These factors include pregnancy, the postpartum period and their complications.

Usually, genital herpes is infected sexually, less often through a towel, personal hygiene products. The herpes simplex virus lives inside human cells. It spreads throughout the body, can be found not only in saliva, blood, urine, semen, secretions from the female genital tract, but even in tears and cerebrospinal fluid.

How does genital herpes manifest itself?

Genital herpes in women makes itself felt with a rash on the skin and mucous membranes of the perineum, labia, inner surface hips, pubis. On examination, the gynecologist finds the same rash on the mucous membrane of the walls of the vagina, cervix.

By appearance the rash is similar to the one that occurs with a "cold" on the lips, that is, we are talking about small bubbles that are filled with liquid. At the same time, in those places where they appeared, the young mother experiences pain, discomfort, burning, and may increase. The lymph nodes in the groin

Usually, herpes rashes are preceded by general malaise, weakness, chills with fever, and until a characteristic rash appears, the woman believes that she has an acute respiratory disease.

In men, HSV 2 is manifested by the same rashes in the region of the glans penis, foreskin.

IN last years asymptomatic forms of the disease are increasingly common (if immunity is reduced so much that the body's response remains almost imperceptible), as well as atypical forms of this disease, when there is no rash, and the patient has only discomfort in the genital area and general malaise.

As a rule, herpes is a chronic infection with periodic exacerbations. At the same time, in the blood of 80-90% of people there are protective proteins-antibodies that suppress the activity of the virus most of the time.

Antibodies can be passed from mother to child in the womb and to the newborn (via blood and milk). In addition, a person acquires them through contact with the sick and good defensive reaction organism. There is also an asymptomatic carriage of the virus, when the virus does not manifest itself in any way, but remains in the body.

The acute form of genital herpes, when HSV 2 is infected by a person who has not previously been in contact with this virus and does not have protective antibodies, is rare. Then the disease proceeds hard, the temperature rises sharply and strongly, extensive rashes appear. Relapses chronic form genital herpes are easier, and the frequency of exacerbations depends on the state of immunity.

A doctor diagnoses genital herpes by testing the DNA of the virus and the presence of antibodies to it in the blood. In addition, DNA is detected in smears from the vagina and cervix.

What to do if genital herpes manifests itself with GV?

If, with labial herpes, many of us do not pay attention to one bubble that has arisen on the lips, it is impossible to cope with genital herpes without the help of a doctor.

Genital herpes during breastfeeding is treated only with local preparations, that is, antiherpetic ointments and creams (Acyclovir, Zovirax, Valtrex), they lubricate the skin and vaginal walls. These funds are used several times a day for 7-8 days. In addition to medicines, you need to maintain immunity with a high-calorie diet, enough sleep and rest.

If the disease is not treated, its symptoms persist longer, exacerbations occur more often, and other sexually transmitted infections may join the existing problem.

During a rash, a person sheds the virus into large quantities therefore, in order not to infect the husband, one must refrain from sexual activity.

If a nursing mother does not have symptoms of the disease, but her husband has signs of it, you urgently need to stop sexual intercourse and take measures to strengthen immunity. The sick person needs to contact an andrologist, who will diagnose and prescribe antiviral treatment.

Check with your doctor before resuming sexual life after illness. Depending on the form and severity of the disease, on whether it was prescribed timely treatment, whether there are associated health problems, and other conditions, the doctor determines the period when the woman will no longer be able to transmit the infection.

How to strengthen the immune system?

It must be understood that when viral infections we take medications that suppress the reproduction of the virus, but the state of the patient's immunity still plays the main role. Immune cells secrete antibodies that destroy viruses and prevent them from spreading in the body. Therefore, supporting our defenses is no less important point of treatment than taking antiviral drugs.

If genital herpes is exacerbated by HB, a young mother needs to make sure that her diet is rich in proteins, because it is from them that immune cells produce antibodies. If a woman has strictly limited her diet and, for example, eats only buckwheat and apples, it is difficult to expect from her immune system effective protection. Recall that most often strict is not needed.

It is equally important to get enough sleep and rest. Nursing mothers often perceive this advice as an impossible condition. But, perhaps, try to explain to relatives that if a woman goes to the hospital, it will not become easier for anyone, and it is better to help her now and give her time to rest than to stay at home alone with a baby later.

Sometimes immunomodulatory drugs are used to treat herpes (for example, Kipferon, Viferon suppositories), but you cannot prescribe drugs of this group to yourself. Not all of them are compatible with HB, and besides, their thoughtless use can affect immunity in the most unpredictable way.

In today's article, we will discuss the question of why herpes is so dangerous during breastfeeding? Which preventive measures must be observed by a nursing mother during lactation.

What is herpes and what are the signs of the disease

Herpes is viral disease that affects the mucous membranes and internal cells of the body of nursing mothers. The most common cause of the disease is a weakened immune system:

• after acute respiratory infections or infectious diseases;
• during pregnancy;
• menstrual disorders or the birth of the first child.

The virus is easily transmitted through contact with an infected person. According to medical statistics, the first signs of herpes appear on the lips, in the form of a rash or sore.

Precautions during HB

Pediatricians say that herpes on the lips during breastfeeding is not dangerous. After all, breast milk contains not only nutrients, but also antibodies that perform protective function for the child's body. Therefore, it is not worth giving up lactation. If a woman adheres to the rules of personal hygiene, then there will be no threat to the health of her little one.

The basic rules for the treatment of herpes during breastfeeding are as follows:

• Before you breastfeed or pick up your baby, remember to wash your hands with liquid or regular soap. This treatment allows you to remove the causative agent of herpes. In case of disease on the lips, it will be advisable to use a cotton-gauze bandage.
• If the disease is just beginning to develop, then an effective remedy for its treatment will be the use of Calendula tincture. It is enough to wipe the inflamed area 2-3 times daily and the wound will disappear on its own.
• Use only those medicines prescribed by your doctor. Do not self-medicate without first consulting a specialist. After all, some drugs tend to be absorbed into the blood, which is extremely undesirable for the child's body. The most famous and safe ointments for herpes include such as "Acocloviar" and "Zovirax". They are applied ¾ times within 24 hours directly to the focus of inflammation itself.

If herpes occurs on the genitals of the mother, then in this case treatment is necessary under the supervision of a specialist.

breastfeeding for herpes

Many women ask if it is possible to breastfeed a child with herpes? Breastfeeding consultants recommend continuing to breastfeed even if infected with this virus. After all, the blood of nursing contains antibodies that prevent the virus from entering the milk. Therefore, there is no urgent need to abandon breastfeeding. Cessation of lactation can cause additional difficulties associated with milk production.

Herpes on the lips of a nursing mother is only the initial one, or as the doctors say: “ simple form» a disease that does not pose a danger to the health of the baby.

Also, don't forget to take precautions. If a rash is found on the lips or chest, you should contact a specialist. Only a doctor can confirm the presence or absence of herpes in a nursing mother and prescribe the correct treatment.

During medical examination mother should limit contact with the child. Even a simple kiss can bring a herpes infection into the baby's body.

How to treat herpes in nursing mothers

Viral herpes in a nursing mother should be treated only as directed by a doctor. Sometimes, several types may be used. medicines. Most often, the doctor prescribes antiviral agents: ointments Acyclover, Zovirax, which destroy the virus on the affected areas of the skin . Also on early stage diseases, you can use propolis tincture or fukortsin.

A feature of the above components is that they are not absorbed into the blood and thus do not enter the body of the newborn during feeding. The duration of treatment for herpes during breastfeeding depends on the stage of development of the disease. The sooner a virus is detected, the sooner it can be eradicated. Usually this period does not exceed five to six days from the start of treatment.

It is very sad if a mother has genital herpes. In its treatment without the use of antibiotics can not do. In this case, it is necessary to stop breastfeeding, since potent drugs can harm the baby's body. The way out is to translate baby for artificial nutrition.

Prevention

A feature of herpes is that it has a high probability of recurrence - it can return to a nursing mother at any time. To strengthen the immunity of your body, you must follow the following preventive recommendations:

• spend more time outdoors;
• plan daytime on joint sleep with an infant;
• V daily diet nutrition must be present: meat, cottage cheese, fish and dairy products. They are enriched with important vitamins and microelements, which are so necessary for the life of the body;
• take vitamins that help strengthen the immune system.

Also, in the home medicine cabinet of a pregnant or nursing mother, there should be special ointments: Zovirax, Acoclovir, which, in the event of the first symptoms of herpes simplex, can stop the development of a viral infection.

And remember that only timely preventive measures will reduce the risk possible disease. And this is very important, both for the health of the mother and her newborn child.

Breastfeeding in itself is not a cause for an exacerbation of herpes. However, there are several reasons for the activation of the virus:

1. Strict diet. In case of manifestation allergic reactions in a baby, a young mother is forced to limit her own diet when breastfeeding. Often her diet becomes very poor in protein, which in turn leads to a decrease in the activity of the immune system. Protein is necessary for the production of antibodies, and when their number in the body decreases, the body's defenses also fall.
2. Chronic fatigue. Lack of sleep and lack of proper rest are serious stress for the body. And a young mother with a weakened immune system becomes vulnerable to infections, including the herpes virus “sleeping” in her body.
3. Self-treatment. It is believed that during lactation, immunity is reduced in without fail all mothers. And to prevent frequent colds, you need to take something to maintain immunity. Unfortunately, sometimes this leads to completely unexpected consequences.
4. Unstable emotional condition women after childbirth and during postpartum depression. It is hard for many people to get used to the idea that for the next few months their schedule is completely subordinated to a small crumb and there is almost no time left for personal affairs.
5. Conscious restriction of one's own diet. Dictated by the desire to quickly get rid of extra pounds.

Can I breastfeed?

Activation of a dormant virus or primary infection during breastfeeding should not be ignored. The following simple rules should be followed:

• Be sure to consult with qualified specialist regarding the prescription of safe drugs.
• Continue breastfeeding. If it is herpes on the lips, there is no reason to stop feeding. After all, the mother's body also produces antibodies aimed at combating the disease. However, if it is a shingles virus that affects the breast, it is better to refuse breastfeeding the child.
• Hands and breasts should be thoroughly washed with soap and water before each feeding and before handling the baby.
• As additional measure you can use a cotton-gauze bandage when feeding. Eliminate any contact of the affected areas of the body with the baby.
• Change personal items and underwear more often.
• Restriction of breastfeeding with genital herpes (treatment of this type is usually accompanied by taking pills).

Thus it is worth remembering that the herpes virus is easily transmitted through simple contact. And for the baby, such an infection is by no means unsafe. Therefore, it is worth remembering the precautions during lactation.

How to treat?

Once the virus enters the body, it enters the cells and can long time be in a dormant state. Treatment of the virus during breastfeeding is carried out only during the period of its activation. When the disease is in a dormant state, even the most modern medicines do not have positive effect, and therefore it makes no sense to use them.

Important! All medicines should be prescribed by an experienced physician. He will explain to the young mother all the subtleties and nuances, including how her treatment will affect the baby and whether it is necessary to refuse breastfeeding during this period.

Medical therapy

Treatment should be prescribed by a doctor, depending on the type of disease. For the treatment of herpes on the lips during breastfeeding, most often prescribed antiviral drugs, such as:

• Acyclovir (Zovirax). It destroys the DNA of the virus, and at the same time it practically does not get into breast milk, even if it is used in the form of tablets. And using in the form of an ointment is even safer. It is used even for the treatment of newborn babies.
• Fenistil Pencivir. Also used to treat herpes type 1 (on the lips). It is not found in the mother's blood, which means it does not enter breast milk. But you need to make sure that the child does not come into contact with the skin areas on which the ointment is applied.
• Valaciclovir. Is drug new generation, penetrates into milk in small doses without causing side effects at babies.

Folk remedies

In addition to drug treatment you can add the following folk remedies:

• Aloe vera juice. The juice of this plant helps to fight the infection, preventing its further development. You need to wipe the bubbles with fresh aloe juice, or buy an extract at a pharmacy.
• Sea buckthorn and rosehip oil. Sea buckthorn oil is a natural reparant and has a drying effect. The oil is applied to the bubbles, as a result of which they quickly crust and dry out.
• Iodine and greenery. Many generations of mothers and grandmothers used iodine and brilliant green to treat herpes while breastfeeding. They dry out the skin and prevent the disease from developing.

Komarovsky on treatment for hepatitis B

Doctor Komarovsky for the treatment of hypertensive infection suggests the use of interferon. If these drops are not available, cycloferon or neovir can be used. The doctor agrees that it is completely impossible to remove the virus from the affected organism, but the disease is treatable during periods of its activity.

Prevention

To prevent and prevent the activation of the disease during lactation, one should adhere to simple rules and take care of the young mother's immune system. To do this, you need to monitor nutrition so that vitamins and proteins are present in the diet.

In addition to producing breast milk, protein helps our immune system produce antibodies to fight infectious agents. Also shown are frequent walks in the fresh air and a reasonable physical activity, no stress.

The appearance or awakening of "sleeping" herpes during breastfeeding is not too dangerous an event, with the correct observance of behavioral measures during this period. Treatment of the disease should be prescribed by a doctor, depending on the type of virus manifested. So is the decision to continue breastfeeding.

With some types of breastfeeding, it is better to refuse the baby so as not to pass the infection on to him. After all, the baby will be much harder to endure the infection than an adult, and the consequences of the disease may be harder for him.