Herpes gladiatorum is one of the diseases caused by the most infectious infection, and can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. The disease was first described in the 1960s in the New England Journal of Medicine. This is caused by an infectious infection with human herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is more common cause of oral herpes (cold afternoon). Another strain, HSV-2 usually causes genital herpes, although strains are very similar and can cause herpes at any location.
While the disease generally passes through normal human contact, it is strongly associated with contact sports - an outbreak in a relatively common sports club. Other names for this disease are herpes rugbiorum or " scrumpox " (after rugby football), " wrestler's herpes " or " mat pox "(after wrestling). In one of the largest outbreaks among high school wrestlers in the intensive training camp for four weeks, HSV was identified in 60 of the 175 wrestlers. Lesions on the head in 73 percent of wrestlers, extremities at 42 percent, and stems in 28 percent. Physical symptoms sometimes reappear in the skin. Previous HSV-1 seroconversion of teenagers will inhibit most of the gladiatorum herpes, but since the stress and trauma are known to be triggers, such people will tend to infect others.
Video Herpes gladiatorum
Cause
Herpes gladiatorum is a skin infection that is primarily caused by the herpes simplex virus. The virus infects cells in the epidermal layer of the skin. Early viral replication occurs at the site of entry in the skin or mucous membranes.
Infections caused by HSV Type 1 virus may be primary or recurrent. Studies show that although most individuals affected by the virus are infected, only 10% of them will develop the wound as well. These types of wounds appear within two to twenty days after exposure and usually do not last more than ten days. Primary infections usually heal completely without leaving scars but the virus that causes infection in the first place remains in the body in a latent state. This is the reason why most people experience recurrence even after the condition is overcome. The virus moves to the nerve cells from where it can reactivate. After the condition recurs, usually a mild infection. Infection can be triggered by several external factors such as sun exposure or trauma.
Infection with one type of HSV virus occurs in the following ways: First, the virus comes into contact with the damaged skin, and then transfers to the cell nucleus and reproduces or replicates. Blisters and ulcers that form on the skin are the result of destruction of infected cells. In its latent form, the virus does not reproduce or replicate until the recurrence is triggered by various factors.
Maps Herpes gladiatorum
Signs and symptoms
Herpes gladiatorum is characterized by a rash with a group of fluid-filled blisters that are often painful, often on the neck, chest, face, abdomen, and legs. Infection is often accompanied by lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes), fever, sore throat, and headache. Often, the accompanying symptoms are much more than discomfort than the actual blisters and skin rashes.
Each blister contains infectious viral particles (virions). Close contact, especially coarse contact such as those found in contact sports, causes infected blisters to burst and passes on the infection. Autoinoculation (self infection) can occur through self-contact, leading to infection in some sites of the body.
Symptoms of herpes gladiatorum can last up to several weeks, and if these symptoms appear during the first outbreak, they can be more pronounced. In the recurrence of the disease, the symptoms are milder, even if the lesions are still likely to occur. With recurrent infection scabs can be formed at 3 days but the lesion is still considered an infection up to 6.4 days after starting oral antiviral medication. Healing occurs without leaving a trace. It is possible that conditions asymptomatic and wound evolved never existed.
Pathophysiology
Herpes gladiatorum is transmitted by direct contact with skin lesions caused by the herpes simplex virus. This is the main reason why this condition is often found in wrestlers. It is believed that the virus can be transmitted through an infected wrestler mat, but this is still the subject of research because the virus can not live long enough outside the body to cause infection. Direct contact with an infected person or infected secretion is undoubtedly the main way in which the virus can be transmitted.
It is also believed that wearing rough clothes may increase the chances of getting infected with this type of virus. Shirts made of polyester and cotton can cause friction which causes less damage to the skin which makes it easier to contract. Studies in which athletes wear 100% cotton shirts show a decrease in the number of gladiatorum herpes cases.
This spread is facilitated when pain is present but can occur in its absence as well. Patients may know that the virus is in the skin when they are experiencing the so-called "prodromal symptoms". These include itching or tingling of the skin, just before abrasions or lesions appear. The virus can spread since the first symptoms appear until the lesions are completely healed. The incubation period lies between 3 and 14 days. This means that a person will experience symptoms within 14 days after he or she has contracted the infection. This type of virus can be transmitted even if symptoms do not yet exist. Some individuals may have very mild symptoms that may not be considered a symptom of herpes and the patient may not recognize it. Asymptomatic transmission occurs when the infection spreads between outbreaks.
Similar infections
Herpes gladiatorum is only caused by herpes simplex virus. Herpes zoster, also manifests as a skin rash with blisters, caused by a different virus, herpes zoster. Other agents can cause skin infections, eg ringworm is mainly caused by fungal dermatophytes, T. tonsurans . Impetigo, cellulitis, folliculitis and ulcers are usually caused by Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus bacteria or staphylococcus aureus. These less common forms can potentially be more serious. Anti-viral treatment will have no effect on non-viral cases. Bacterial infections should be treated with antibiotics and fungal infections with antifungal drugs.
Prevention
The main steps to prevent outbreaks are to maintain hygiene standards and use screening to exclude people with suspicious infections from engaging in contact sports. Examination of the skin performed before the exercise or competition takes place can identify the individual to be evaluated, and if necessary treated by a health care professional. In certain situations, participating in wrestling camps, consider placing participants in 1GM valacyclovir daily for camp durations. A 10-year study has shown an 89.5% reduction in outbreaks and possibly prevention of contracting the virus. The drug should begin 5 days before participation to ensure proper concentration exists.
Treatment
Herpes outbreaks should be treated with antiviral drugs such as Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, or Famcyclovir, each of which is available in tablet form.
Oral antiviral drugs are often used as prophylaxis to suppress or prevent outbreaks. The recommended dose for pressure therapy for recurrent attacks is 1,000 mg of valaciclovir once daily or 400 mg of Acyclovir taken twice daily. In addition to preventing outbreaks, these drugs greatly reduce the possibility of infecting a person when the patient does not experience an outbreak.
Often, people experience routine outbreaks anywhere from 1 to 10 times per year, but stress (due to viruses located next to nerve cells), or a weak immune system due to a temporary or permanent disease can also trigger an outbreak. Some people become infected but fail to have one outbreak, although they remain carriers of the virus and can transmit the disease to uninfected persons through asymptomatic shedding (when the virus is active on the skin but the rash or blisters do not show up).
The use of antiviral drugs has proven effective in preventing the acquisition of herpes virus. The specific use of this agent focuses on wrestling camps where intense contact between individuals occurs daily for several weeks. They have also been used for major outbreaks during seasonal competition, but more research needs to be done to verify efficacy.
See also
- Herpes simplex
- List of skin conditions
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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