Genital Herpes and Its Symptoms

Genital Herpes Treatment

The symptoms of genital herpes usually start with tenderness, itching, or even pain in the genital area. They can be accompanied by headache and fever.

As for males, blisters appear on the penis. As for females, blisters come up on the area surrounding the vagina, and in the cervix. Beside this, the blisters could be found on the buttocks and thighs. After a while, blisters erupt and form painful sores which will remain for 1-3 weeks.

These are not the only symptoms one may get. Among others, there could be a burning sensation or pain during urination. In females, there may be a clear mucus-like discharge from the vagina or urethra (opening for urine). The same is possible in males: a clear mucus-like discharge from the tip of the penis. In addition to this, there may be swollen glands in the groin area.

Herpes virus is indicated as HSV (Herpes simplex virus). There are HSV1 and HSV2; the last one is the genital herpes virus. It acts in a much way the same as HSV1 (which produces cold sores), i.e. after an initial herpes outbreak of genital blisters, the virus (HSV2) also remains dormant in nearby nerves and can start acting again later in life. The symptoms of reactivated virus which causes genital herpes, are like those of first outbreak of HSV1, by they are less severe in general. But in different people the virus may be acting differently. The outbreaks may be more frequent or more severe in different people.

79% of people will experience general symptoms during the first outbreak, which include: fever to 102 degrees, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes.

We have to add something here. Actually, in the past, it was the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2), which was the cause of genital herpes. In other words, it was the only cause genital herpes. But now, new genital herpes infections are equally caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) and the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2). The majority of people who are going to get a primary outbreak will have it between 3 days to 2 weeks after exposure.

First genital herpes outbreak in females

The chance to get infected with HSV2 is four times higher in women than in men. And also the disease is more severe and more complicated in females than in males.

If a herpes outbreak will happen in woman on the cervix or vagina and not externally, the vaginal discharge may develop, as well as burning with urination or pelvic pain. Some women may have a 2nd round of blisters or ulcers in the second week with the first outbreak.

How long does the first genital herpes outbreak last?

We mentioned already how long sores will remain and how frequent the outbreaks may be. So, now about the first genital herpes infection - it usually lasts 2-3 weeks, but skin pain can stay for 1 to 6 weeks. After the blisters dry out and erupt, they (crusts) fall off and the area is not contagious anymore.