Herpes Symptoms
Herpes Symptoms
How can I tell if I have herpes?
Often, people don’t know they are infected with the herpes virus. It’s estimated that only 20% of those who have herpes are aware of it. When there are symptoms, they appear in the form of painful blister outbreaks on the skin near the genital area. Initial herpes outbreaks may also feel like the flu with swollen glands, muscle aches, headache, fever, and pain or difficulty during urination.
If I had a first outbreak of herpes sores, when would it appear?
If you have an initial outbreak, it would occur anywhere from 2 days to 12 days after exposure. Sores or blisters may return occasionally, but are usually less severe and heal faster than the initial outbreak. Most people say that recurrent outbreaks begin with itching or burning on the skin in the area where blisters or sores are about to appear.
What does a genital herpes outbreak feel or look like?
Most people who feel symptoms initially feel what’s called a “prodrome”, an early warning that comes before an outbreak. This is often a tingle where you’ve had previous sore. It can last for 2 hours to 2 days. For the 25% of people who get recurrent outbreaks, the prodrome will be the only symptom they actually feel. When the prodrome develops into sores, the tingling, itching, burning or pain is followed by the appearance of painful red spots. Within a day or two, the spots evolve through a phase of clear, fluid-filled blisters which turn yellowish. The blisters then burst; leaving painful ulcers that will scab over and heal in about 10 days. For women, the blisters can form inside the vagina, which makes it painful to urinate. It’s recommended to load up on fluids to dilute the urine and lessen the stinging.
Oral Herpes Symptoms
Most Common
- Usually no symptoms at all
Less Commons
- sores/ blisters inside the mouth and/or around the lips
- fever
- headache
- body aches
- feeling tired
- swollen lymph nodes (neck, armpit, or groin)
Least Common
- eye infection (eye lids or eyeballs)
- sores/blisters on nose or fingers (herpes whitlow)
Herpes Symptoms in Women
Most Common
- Usually none at all
Less Common
- Sores/blisters around the vaginal region
- Sores/ulcer in/on the vulva, vagina, cervix and/or
- Fever
- Headache
- Feeling tired
- Body Aches
- Swollen Lymph Nodes
- Vaginal discharge
- Painful Urination
- Vaginal itch
Least Common
- Sores/ulcers in and around the anus
- Sores/blisters around the buttocks and thighs
- Sores/ blisters on nose or fingers (herpes whitlow)
- Trouble urinating
- Meningitis (swelling that effects the brain and/or spinal cord)
- Encephalitis (swelling that effects the brain)
- Eczema herpetiform (sores across the body)
- Eye infection (eye lids or eyeballs)
- Pneumonia
Herpes Symptoms in Men
Most Common
- Usually none at all
Less Common
- sores/blisters on the penis (tip and shaft)
- fever
- headache
- feeling tired
- body aches
- swollen lymph nodes
Least Common
- sores/ulcers in and around the anus
- sores/blisters around the buttocks and thighs
- sores/ blisters on nose or fingers (herpes whitlow)
What triggers (causes) a recurrence of herpes symptoms?
Nobody knows for sure what causes the infection to leave the nerve cells and infect the surface of the skin and mucous membranes. For example, while outbreaks are often associated with periods of weak immune systems caused by sickness or stress, people also have a recurrence when they appear at full health. Other triggers connected to herpes recurrences are skin wounds, menstruation, sunburn, heat, cold, dental work or wind.
Can herpes outbreaks continue for the rest of your life?
Unfortunately, yes. There is no current cure for herpes. Some people experience a chronic form of herpes outbreaks. People with recurring symptoms average about four in the first year of infection and then less and less each year following. The average person has a recurrence a couple of times per year. Less than 10% of the people living with herpes experience frequent outbreaks, which is about 6 per year.
Are canker sores in the mouth the same as oral herpes?
Cold sores and fever blisters that people get around the lips (sometimes inside the mouth on initial outbreaks) are different than canker sores. Canker sores are white or gray ulcers with red rims found inside the mouth and usually last 2 weeks. Below are some differences between oral herpes and canker sores:
- Oral herpes typically appear on the bone-bearing tissue on the roof of the mouth and the gums.
- Canker sores tend to appear on soft tissue – on the insides of the lips or cheek and the back of the throat.
- Herpes sores start off as little bumps which break apart, leaving small sores.
- Canker sores are sores from the start.
- Canker sores are larger than oral herpes sores and are slower to heal.
- Oral herpes sores tend to recur in the same spot on the mouth.
- Canker sores show up in various places within the mouth.
