Herpes Handbook

Symptoms of Herpes

Symptoms of herpes vary, but often most people have no noticeable symptoms.

Early symptoms may include:

burning sensation in the genitals

flu-like symptoms

lower back pain

pain when urinating


Small red bumps may appear in the genital area after initial symptoms, which later develop into painful blisters.

The blisters usually:

crust over

form a scab

heal

GENITAL HERPES

The First Outbreak

Symptoms usually develop within 2-20 days after contact, but could continue up to 2 weeks.

The first infection may be so mild it goes unnoticed. In other cases, the first attack causes visible sores. Subsequent recurrences of the virus may cause an outbreak of blisters.

The virus retreats into the nerves and lies dormant. Even when there are no symptoms of herpes, transmitting the virus is still possible (asymptomatic viral shedding).

Healing of the skin does not normally leave scarring.

Typical Symptoms

When it gets into skin cells the virus reproduces itself and starts to multiply, making the skin red and sensitive.

Blisters or bumps may appear on the genital area, the blisters first opening and then healing with the regeneration of new skin tissue.

During the outbreak the infected area may:

be painful

burn

itch

tingle

Other symptoms include:

fever

headache

infection of the urethra causing a burning sensation when urinating

muscle ache

painful inflamed blisters which develop around the infected area

swollen lymph glands

vaginal or penis discharge

The first episode is the most severe, with most episodes lasting 10-21 days. A warning sign (prodrome) such as tingling is experienced by many people in recurring outbreaks.

Should any of these symptoms occur, consult your doctor or other health care provider immediately.

Genital herpes should be diagnosed and treated professionally.

Source: http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/std/herpes.htm
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Symptoms of herpes

Many individuals infected with herpes never have any symptoms and do not know they are infected. The initial herpes infection may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms, such as fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, and swollen glands (lymph nodes), in addition to blisters and ulcers on and around the genitals, thighs, buttocks, and anus or on the lips, mouth, throat, tongue, and gums.

Lesions may also be found within the vagina and on the cervix. In the case of genital infection, there may also be pain and itching where the sore is located or burning with urination. These blisters eventually crust over, form a scab, and heal, usually within 1-3 weeks.

Once the initial infection has resolved, some people experience outbreaks of genital blisters, ulcers, or small sores, which can occur on the penis, vulva, anus, buttocks, and/or thighs. Itching and tingling in the genitals are often an early warning sign that an outbreak is soon to occur. The frequency and severity of outbreaks varies from one person to the next.

Sores that occur during outbreaks generally last 3-7 days and are not as painful as those of the initial infection, and systemic symptoms are rare. However, some people may experience recurrent, painful genital ulcers. In addition, people with suppressed immune systems may experience severe, persistent ulcers.

What triggers a herpes outbreak?

If you have herpes sometimes outbreaks occur. Why? What’s a reason?

Unfortunately, outbreaks of herpes can be triggered by a number of factors, including:

• Stress
  


• Sunlight
  


• Sickness or fever
  


• Certain types of foods or beverages (including peanuts, alcohol, and coffee).
  

Can infection with herpes lead to other health problems?

Although genital herpes usually causes mild symptoms, some people may experience recurrent painful genital ulcers, which can be especially severe in people with suppressed immune systems. Like other STIs, herpes may also increase the risk for transmitting or acquiring HIV infection.

Be healthy!

http://www.herpes.com/
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More about Genital Herpes Spreading

Hi everybody! I’d like to add some words about genital herpes spreading because it’s very important point.

Unfortunately, genital herpes is spread very easily. Because of contact with an infected person the herpes virus can penetrate to your body through any break!

It could be break in your skin or the skin of your mouth, penis or vagina, urinary tract opening, cervix or anus. You can think that herpes is spread when it’s evident that the person is infected, e.g. the herpes symptoms are evident and obvious. Helas it’s not the case.

Of course herpes is most easily spread when it’s on the active stage of disease, when you can see blisters or sores on the body of infected individual. But the very bad news is that it can be spread at any time! Imagine, in any time! Even when there aren't any symptoms!

As I’ve mentioned already, genital herpes is usually spread from one person to another during sexual contact. It’s about any sex, including oral and anal sex. Herpes can also be spread from one place on your body to another: from your genitals to your fingers! Then it could be transmitted to other parts of your body! To your face, lips, eyes!

By the way, to the attention of pregnant women: remember that herpes virus can also be transmitted from a mother to her baby during delivery!

More about herpes and pregnancy read in my next post… To be continued.

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How Did You Get Herpes?

Perhaps from time to time you ask himself or herself: how did it happen? How did I get this awful disease?

I’ve found out that herpes spreads through intimate skin contact with an infected person. The bad news is that the virus transmission can occur when the infected person does not even have any visual symptoms of herpes – blisters or ulcers or some other things like that! Some people may never have any symptoms and may not know that they are infected with the herpes virus at all! Unfortunately they can still transmit the herpes virus to others people.

Do you like kissing? I think so because it’s so pleasant. So am I but… Do you know that oral herpes can be spread through kissing??? Terrible!

So I thing everything is clear about oral herpes. But what about more awful disease? I mean genital herpes…

It’s natural that genital herpes is transmitted through sexual contact. Remember, any sexual contact! Vaginal, anal, oral! Can you imagine that the virus can be transmitted from oral to genital regions and vice versa during oral sex??? But that is the case.

So what to do? You have to be careful of course in order to protect yourself. But if the herpes virus transmission has happened already… Keep reading!

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Herpes. What to do?

Hi! It's my first post to my blog about herpes, herpes treatment, genital herpes, herpes symptoms and what to do with it! It's my own and my friends' experience. To be continued!

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