Most people diagnosed
with a first episode
of genital herpes
can expect to
have several (typically
four or five)
outbreaks (symptomatic
recurrences) within
a year. Over time
these recurrences
usually decrease
in frequency
Some
of the most common
symptoms of a genital
herpes outbreak
include
- Tingling,
itching, or
burning of the
skin in one
area of the
penis, scrotum,
vagina, labia,
or anus
- Discharge
of fluid from
the vagina.
- Pain
in the genital
or anal area
(and possibly
also on the
buttocks, lower
back and thighs)
- Burning
on the side
of the leg or
bottom of one
foot
- Feeling
emotionally
irritable or
depressed
- Herpes
may also infect
the urethra,
and urinating
may cause a
burning sensation.
- Blisters
in the genital
area that burst,
become raw and
then crust over
- Blisters
and sores on
the buttocks,
thighs and groin
- Less
commonly, infection
with the genital
herpes virus
may result in
fever
- Flu-like
symptoms are
also common(eg,
headache, fever,
muscle ache,
and swollen
glands in the
lymph nodes
near the groin)
- Feeling
of pressure
in the abdome
However,
most individuals
with HSV-2 infection
may never have
sores, or they
may have very
mild signs that
they do not even
notice or that
they mistake for
insect bites or
another skin condition.
Some
places where genital
herpes sores may
occur on a female.
For
women, blisters
involve the external
genitalia (the labia,
perirectal skin,
foreskin of the
clitoris), in addition
to the vagina and
cervix. It is common
to have watery discharge
and pain during
urination.
Picture
of Female Genital
Herpes
Some
places where genital
herpes sores may
occur on a male.
For
men, groups of blisters
appear on the head,
foreskin, or shaft
of the penis including
surrounding areas
of the genitalia.
Generally, herpes
can show up anywhere
in the pelvic area
both front and back.
Picture of Male Genital Herpes
Once
you have the herpes
virus, it remains
in your body even
if you take antiviral
medication. Unfortunately,
most people who
suffer from one
outbreak will have
more outbreaks in
the future. However,
these outbreaks
are usually less
severe and last
for a shorter time
than the first outbreaks.
Mild
or Absent Symptoms
Some
people only suffer
mild symptoms when
they have outbreaks
of genital herpes.
This can make it
hard for doctors
to recognise that
the symptoms are
caused by the genital
herpes virus.
Sometimes,
people may mistake
these mild symptoms
for another condition
(such as a yeast
infection in women).
Other people may
have no symptoms
at all, despite
being infected with
the virus.
In
these so-called
"atypical"
outbreaks, the sores
may look different
from the blisters
that are often associated
with genital herpes.
In such cases, a
swab of the genital
area or a sample
of your blood may
be especially useful
in determining whether
the herpes virus
is present.
The virus can still
be transmitted to
a sexual partner
even if symptoms
are mild - or if
there are no symptoms
at all ('asymptomatic
shedding').
The symptoms of
genital herpes vary
widely. Everyone
will have a different
experience
To determine whether
the symptoms you
have just experienced
are in fact a herpes
virus, you can have
two separate blood
tests for herpes
viruses, one for
Herpes I and one
for Herpes II. This
will determine if
herpes is present
and which virus
is active. Once
you have the herpes
virus, it remains
in your body even
if you take antiviral
medication. Unfortunately,
most people who
suffer from one
outbreak will have
more outbreaks in
the future.
Herpes can be spread
between outbreaks
when there are no
signs or symptoms
present. This is
called "Asymptomatic
Transmission."
Research shows that
herpes simplex infections
are often spread
by people who don't
know they are infected.
This occurs because
people may have
symptoms so mild
that they don't
notice them at all
or else don't recognize
them as herpes.
Since genital herpes
may occur without
any signs or symptoms,
barrier protection
(eg, latex condoms)
should be used for
extra protection
in between outbreaks.
A latex condom should
be used as soon
as a complete erection
occurs, and barrier
protection should
be used before any
sexual contact occurs.
Unprotected contact
with the mouth,
rectum, or vagina
is the same as having
unprotected sex
when it comes to
transmission of
genital herpes.
Generally
speaking, visible
symptoms (lesions)
will show p after
standard prodromal
symptomology (mild
tingling and burning
near areas where an
outbreak will occur).
Prodromal symtomology
does not always precede
an outbreak. The onset
of an outbreak is
evidenced by watery
blisters. The herpes
virus is most infectious
during the blistering
stage, less infectious
after the blisters
crust over, yet may
be passed on to your
partner during the
prodromal stage or
right after the blisters
disappear.
