Symptoms of genital herpes

The symptoms of genital herpes vary widely. Everyone will have a different experience. Some of the most common symptoms are: Itching or pain in the genital area (and possibly also on the buttocks, lower back and thighs) Blisters in the genital area that burst, become raw and then crust over Blisters and sores on the buttocks, thighs and groin Possibly headache, fatigue and muscle pains Less commonly, infection with the genital herpes virus may result in fever Some places where genital herpes sores may occur on a female.



Some places where genital herpes sores may occur on a male.
In rare cases, there can be fever or swelling in the groin region (this is caused by swollen lymph nodes). The first outbreak of genital herpes can last anything from one to four weeks if left untreated. 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'). See also - How to avoid spreading the disease
Making sure
Only your doctor can tell for certain whether you have genital herpes. The diagnosis is based on: Your medical history A physical examination, especially if sores or other symptoms are present Laboratory tests If you think you have genital herpes, it is important to see your doctor right away to confirm what is causing your symptoms and discuss treatment options. Treatment prescribed by your doctor can ease the symptoms of genital herpes - or if you take 'suppressive' treatment every day, it can even help reduce the number of outbreaks you have by 80-90 per cent. Your doctor or another member of the healthcare team will be able to give you information on genital herpes and advise you on questions that may be causing you concern. See Also - Treatment

Some of the most common symptoms are:

• Itching or pain in the genital area (and possibly also on the buttocks, lower back and thighs)
• Blisters in the genital area that burst, become raw and then crust over
• Blisters and sores on the buttocks, thighs and groin
• Possibly headache, fatigue and muscle pains
• Less commonly, infection with the genital herpes virus may result in fever

Some places where genital herpes sores may occur on a female.

Some places where genital herpes sores may occur on a male.

In rare cases, there can be fever or swelling in the groin region (this is caused by swollen lymph nodes).

The first outbreak of genital herpes can last anything from one to four weeks if left untreated. 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').

See also - How to avoid spreading the disease

Making sure
Only your doctor can tell for certain whether you have genital herpes.

The diagnosis is based on:

• Your medical history
• A physical examination, especially if sores or other symptoms are present
• Laboratory tests

If you think you have genital herpes, it is important to see your doctor right away to confirm what is causing your symptoms and discuss treatment options. Treatment prescribed by your doctor can ease the symptoms of genital herpes - or if you take 'suppressive' treatment every day, it can even help reduce the number of outbreaks you have by 80-90 per cent.

Your doctor or another member of the healthcare team will be able to give you information on genital herpes and advise you on questions that may be causing you concern.

See Also - Treatment

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