What Are The Symptoms of Genital Herpes and is it Treatable?

The physical symptoms of genital herpes as well as those of the oral variety are known as outbreaks. These symptoms are most often thought of by people who are not familiar with the disease simply as a cluster of sores on the infected area. In actuality, a much wider variety of afflictions can occur when a person has been infected with the virus.

In the case of genital herpes, the symptoms may appear on the man or woman's genitals, buttocks, or anal area. The first outbreak after the initial contraction often produces the most painful symptoms of genital herpes. When the first outbreak initially becomes apparent to the infected person, small red bumps around the infected area will develop.

The bumps often itch, burn, or at times, are numb. These initial symptoms of genital herpes will quickly develop into painful blisters. The blisters will begin to ulcerate and excrete a clear or whitish fluid. Additional symptoms may include painful urination, abnormal vaginal discharge, and swollen glands surrounding the groin area and may occur in conjunction with the outbreak, or before or after it. In some cases, the outbreak may be accompanied by ailments similar to the flu, such as fever, headaches, and muscle aches. The symptoms of genital herpes usually last from ten to twenty one days.

Physical symptoms of oral herpes are formed on a person's lips, or on the inside of their mouth or throat. In extreme cases, they will continue from one's lips down their chin and neck. It is similar to genital herpes in that they are also characterized by the same blisters and ulcerated sores. Flu-like symptoms similar to those appearing during the symptoms of genital herpes may also occur.

In both genital herpes, and oral herpes, the initial outbreak is often the worst. Later outbreaks often have less noticeable, as well as less painful, symptoms. When subsequent symptoms of genital herpes, as well as oral herpes, arise, the body often develops antibodies to fight off the virus more efficiently. The antibodies develop gradually, making the physical symptoms occur less and less frequently.

It should be noted that both symptoms of oral herpes are not always visible. Some people have naturally stronger immune systems than the majority of the population, which causes the symptoms to be seemingly nonexistent. If this is the case, precautionary steps should still be used to prevent the transmission of the virus between people. The virus can be transmitted to others even when there is a lack of noticeable symptoms.

Although permanent cures for the virus are not currently available, temporary remedies for the discomfort caused by the symptoms of genital herpes as well as the symptoms of oral herpes are available to those suffering with the virus. Although some people choose prescription medications to relieve the pain of outbreaks, these prescriptions often have equally discomforting side effects. More and more studies are being done on natural remedies for the virus, and the positive results have led many people to choose to deal with the painfulness of their outbreaks by using natural pain relievers as opposed to prescriptions.