Signs and Symptons of Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease caused due to a strain of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and type 2. In most of the cases, genital herpes is caused by HSV type 2. The HSV enters the body through small breaks in the skin or mucous membranes. It causes herpes sores in the genital area, and it is transmitted primarily through sexual contact. You can't get infection through contacts with toilets or objects used by an infected person since the virus does not live outside the body for long.
Genital herpes affects both men and women. But women are more likely to get infected by genital herpes since the virus can infect a woman's genitals more easily than a man's. About one-fifth of the Americans aged 12 and adults are infected with genital herpes.
Signs and Symptoms of Genital Herpes
The signs and symptoms of genital herpes vary from person to person. Some persons experience many painful sores, very mild genital herpes symptoms or no symptoms at all, so they don't even know they are infected. Symptoms may occur days, weeks or months after your contact with the virus. The main signs and symptoms of genital herpes are sores around the vagina, on the penis, or near the anus. But sometimes they may appear on buttocks, scrotum or thighs. They usually begin as a rash of red bumps and may appear about 5-7 days after the infection.
An initial outbreak of genital herpes usually occurs within two weeks after the virus is transmitted because of having sexual contact with an infected person and can last from two to three weeks. The initial herpes outbreak is usually the most painful, and it may last longer than later outbreaks. The early signs and symptoms at the first outbreak include:
- Itching or burning feeling in the genital or anal area
- Flu-like symptoms, including fever and muscle ache
- Severe headaches
- Swollen and tender lymph glands
- Discharge from vagina or penis
- Painful urination
- Pain in the legs, buttocks, or genital area
- Feeling of pressure in the area below the stomach
Sometimes, people infected with genital herpes do not show any signs or symptoms after healing of their first outbreak. Some people may not be even aware they have genital herpes because they don’t show any signs and symptoms, but they still carry the virus and can transmit it to other people.
The signs and symptoms of later outbreaks are similar to the first outbreak and are usually shorter than the first outbreak. They may be less severe compared to the first outbreak. In later outbreaks the sores, which are small red bumps in first outbreak may turn into blisters or painful open sores. Over a period of days, the sores become crusted and then heal without scarring. Many people develop pain in the area of the infection even before any blisters or ulcers can be seen. This pain is due to irritation and inflammation of the nerves leading to the infected area of skin. The signs and symptoms of genital herpes at later outbreak include:
- Small red bumps appear on the penis or vagina, which may be sensitive, itchy or painful
- Swelling, itching or burning in the genital area
- Small blisters filled with fluid
- Painful bumps or blisters that break open and form ulcers in the genital area, which may be quite painful
- Sores become crusted and then heal without scarring
At present there is no cure for genital herpes. But this is not a reason for avoiding sex or giving up relationships. If you or your partner is infected, you can take preventive measures to protect yourself and your partner.