In a significant number of cases, medical professionals have shown the development of hives and viruses to be linked. Acute hives are thought to frequently be indicative of viral infection, predominantly in children, and to a certain extent in adults. In children, the infections in question are typically benign viral infections of the digestive system and of the upper respiratory system.
It is no accident that, in certain seasons, the incidence of both hives and viruses in the population rises: this is the case with viral infections like influenza, rhinoviruses and adenoviruses. Not surprisingly, the incidence of hives falls with the successful treatment of such viral infections. Flu vaccinations, which essentially contain weakened forms of the flu virus, have been known to trigger hives. Viruses are, thus, clearly an important part of the hives story.
Some of the other viruses that cause hives include Hepatitis A and B, various enteroviruses, parvovirus B19 and norovirus. Making sense of the immunological mechanisms that viral infections set into motion would greatly advance our present understanding of urticaria and its manifestations.
Cold urticaria is one form of acute urticaria. Most instances of cold urticaria are characterized as idiopathic but a connection has been established between 5% of the instances of this form of hives and viruses. The viral infections that have been associated with cold urticaria include measles, hepatitis, HIV, mononucleosis and varicella. As for chronic urticaria, its incidence has been tied to gastrointestinal infections as well as dental and ENT (ear, nose and throat) infections.
The Combined Impact of Hives and Viruses
Some of the viral infections that trigger hives are benign. Thus the body’s immune system is able to overcome them. The hives are a manifestation of the immune system’s efforts to combat the infection. In such cases, the most prominent symptom of the infection might be a mild fever, which passes quickly enough. The infection can be so mild that the individual experiencing it does not bother consulting a medical professional for it. However, he or she might seek medical assistance for the hives. Once the hives are over, the individual can go back to life as usual.
Some of the viruses that trigger hives are life-threatening, though. These demand sustained medical attention, especially since they can wreak havoc on the immune system. One such viral infection is HIV. In the cases characterized by this kind of infection, the hives and viruses together can exact a heavy toll on the individual’s body.
