Herpes Symptoms: It Is Very Important To Know

Genital Herpes Is The Most Common Sexually Transmitted Disease; It Is Very Important To Know The Symptoms Of HSV

Why is it so important to know the most common symptoms of herpes and take them seriously?

No one wants to get herpes, especially since there is still no FDA approved herpes cure. If a person gets infected with herpes he or she would have to maintain a certain lifestyle or take antiviral drugs for the rest of their lives. Due to the fact that 80% of people who have been exposed to HSV are not aware that they have herpes, it’s important to know the symptoms of the virus so that you won’t pass it to people you love.

After being exposed to genital herpes some people may have severe symptoms while others have mild symptoms or sometimes none at all.

The average incubation period after exposure to herpes is around 1-3 weeks. During this period of time a person may experience first symptoms. Most people miss their first herpes outbreak by not paying enough attentions to the first symptoms because they tend to be mild and usually disappear within few days. In most cases the amount of pain and number of symptoms depend on how strong the immune system is. That is why HSV may stay dormant for decades, waiting for a perfect time to reappear (when immune system is suppressed, for example, after surgery, illness, sunburn or when a person is under a great amount of stress).

What are the most common herpes symptoms?

The most common and noticeable symptoms of herpes are blisters and painful sores in groin, on the buttocks, around vagina (penis for men) and anus. Herpes sores contain liquid that is filled with virus and is very contagious to others and yourself. You must be careful and do not spread it to other parts of your body.

Before blister and sores appear a person feels sensation and itching in places of future outbreak. It should not be ignored and have to be treated properly.

Other symptoms that usually go along with the most common symptoms of herpes include:

Pain, itching and tingling in places of future outbreaks
Muscle aches
Painful urination
Headaches
Back pain
Low-grade fever
Swollen lymph nodes
Fatigue

All the symptoms listed above may be a sign of genital herpes and if you notice any of those symptoms in your potential partner it may be a good idea to skip the sexual intercourse. Keep in mind, that genital herpes can be passed to others even when a person has no symptoms, simply via skin contact (asymptomatic shedding).

If you noticed any of the above symptoms of herpes in yourself it is time to get tested. Herpes blood test can be done even when a person has no blisters or sores. But if noticeable symptoms are present, the liquid from sores can be used to confirm the results.