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Suggest Treatment For Diarrhea And Lethargy When Suffering From Herpes Simplex
Question: My daughter has Herpes Simplex 1 and when she first contracted it, it came with a roaring fever. She has had only 3 outbreaks (it's been over a year since she contracted it) and then nothing for months, until the last 3 months (and it's usually around the end of her period) and she has a roaring fever for a few days. I have not taken her temp, but I know it's over 101 - She's lethargic, pale, clammy, not eating. She's 25 years old and has a 4 year old son, but he's fine.
And....she has diarrhea pretty bad too.
And....she has diarrhea pretty bad too.
Brief Answer:
Suspecting an underlying condition causing immunocompromised state
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Herpes outbreaks usually take place when the infected-individual experiences a lowered immunity either due to infections, weather, medications, radiation, chemotherapy, etc.
In your daughters case I am suspecting some underlying stomach disorder, either an infection (causing the diarrhoea and fever), or conditions like gastritis, peptic ulcer, etc. This causes an immunocompromised state, resulting in a herpes outbreak. At this point in time she will require the following:
+Anti-viral medications to suppress the herpes outbreak
+Treatment of the underlying condition causing the immunocompromised state (if it is an infection, antibiotic coverage will be in order)
+Give her plenty of fluids
+If her son has not contracted herpes, then it is best to keep them apart for a while
+She is lethargic and pale due to the loss of fluids and electrolytes, so please try to get your hands on ORS (oral rehydration solutions), which should be easily available in all stores in either powdered or liquid form
I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Suspecting an underlying condition causing immunocompromised state
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Herpes outbreaks usually take place when the infected-individual experiences a lowered immunity either due to infections, weather, medications, radiation, chemotherapy, etc.
In your daughters case I am suspecting some underlying stomach disorder, either an infection (causing the diarrhoea and fever), or conditions like gastritis, peptic ulcer, etc. This causes an immunocompromised state, resulting in a herpes outbreak. At this point in time she will require the following:
+Anti-viral medications to suppress the herpes outbreak
+Treatment of the underlying condition causing the immunocompromised state (if it is an infection, antibiotic coverage will be in order)
+Give her plenty of fluids
+If her son has not contracted herpes, then it is best to keep them apart for a while
+She is lethargic and pale due to the loss of fluids and electrolytes, so please try to get your hands on ORS (oral rehydration solutions), which should be easily available in all stores in either powdered or liquid form
I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. Shoalb XXXXXXX
I guess what I really want to know (and I'm sorry I was not clear) but: Is the fever related at all to the body trying to keep an outbreak form the Herpes 1 from appearing? She does not have an outbreak at this time - only a fever. I was suspicious that her body is trying to keep an outbreak from occurring, by bringing on this fever. I only wanted to know if the fever was (or could be) related to the herpes 1 virus and will she get this fever each month? This is the 3rd month in a row that she has had a fever (around her period) and it seems to be something that is re-occuring. Is the fever related to the virus?
I guess what I really want to know (and I'm sorry I was not clear) but: Is the fever related at all to the body trying to keep an outbreak form the Herpes 1 from appearing? She does not have an outbreak at this time - only a fever. I was suspicious that her body is trying to keep an outbreak from occurring, by bringing on this fever. I only wanted to know if the fever was (or could be) related to the herpes 1 virus and will she get this fever each month? This is the 3rd month in a row that she has had a fever (around her period) and it seems to be something that is re-occuring. Is the fever related to the virus?
Brief Answer:
All queries addressed sir/ma'am
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again.
No sir/ma'am. A fever occurs when the body's immunity is already lowered due to either an infection or some underlying condition. A fever does not appear when the body is fighting back. In fact, with the diarrhoea that is already present the fever could most probably be due to the something in relation to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
The fever can either be present due to some other infection, some other underlying condition or an outbreak. As she is not experiencing an outbreak, the fever should most probably be related to the diarrhoea she has sir/ma'am.
She should not get the fever every month unless she is experiencing some abnormality like an infection or an outbreak every month; without a cause there should not be a response like a fever.
Many women, experience a lowered immunity during or around their period, and the theory you have put forward could be a possibility. If she continues to get the fever every month around the same time (i.e. around her period), then we should confirm this and go ahead with a consultation with there doctor. The fever could be solely due to the period, which in norm causes a rise in core body temperature by 0.5 degrees celsius.
But during this time, checking to see if the herpes virus is active (with the help of a blood test), can help to rule out/confirm whether the fever is due to the virus or not. If a positive result is seen, then the fever is due to the virus and anti-viral medications will have to be initiated. But if the result is negative, then the fever is related to the period and will have to be managed by a gynaecologist.
I hope I have explained things in a manner best understood by you, please do not ever hesitate to write back to me anytime for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
All queries addressed sir/ma'am
Detailed Answer:
Hello once again.
No sir/ma'am. A fever occurs when the body's immunity is already lowered due to either an infection or some underlying condition. A fever does not appear when the body is fighting back. In fact, with the diarrhoea that is already present the fever could most probably be due to the something in relation to the gastrointestinal tract (GIT).
The fever can either be present due to some other infection, some other underlying condition or an outbreak. As she is not experiencing an outbreak, the fever should most probably be related to the diarrhoea she has sir/ma'am.
She should not get the fever every month unless she is experiencing some abnormality like an infection or an outbreak every month; without a cause there should not be a response like a fever.
Many women, experience a lowered immunity during or around their period, and the theory you have put forward could be a possibility. If she continues to get the fever every month around the same time (i.e. around her period), then we should confirm this and go ahead with a consultation with there doctor. The fever could be solely due to the period, which in norm causes a rise in core body temperature by 0.5 degrees celsius.
But during this time, checking to see if the herpes virus is active (with the help of a blood test), can help to rule out/confirm whether the fever is due to the virus or not. If a positive result is seen, then the fever is due to the virus and anti-viral medications will have to be initiated. But if the result is negative, then the fever is related to the period and will have to be managed by a gynaecologist.
I hope I have explained things in a manner best understood by you, please do not ever hesitate to write back to me anytime for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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