Genital Herpes Symptoms-4u

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex viruses (HSV) type 1 and type 2. Most genital herpes is caused by HSV type 2. 

Most people have no or minimal symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection. When symptoms do occur, they usually appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving ulcers or tender sores that may take up to four weeks to heal. Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months later. 

Although the infection can stay in the body forever, the number of outbreaks usually decreases over a period of years. You can pass genital herpes to someone else even when you experience no symptoms.

Symptoms of Genital Herpes

The symptoms of genital herpes vary from person to person. Some people have severe symptoms, such as many painful sores, while others have mild symptoms. An initial outbreak of genital herpes usually brings about symptoms within two weeks of having sexual contact with an infected person and can last from two to three weeks. The early symptoms can include:

• an itching or burning feeling in the genital or anal area 
• flu-like symptoms, including fever 
• swollen glands 
• pain in the legs, buttocks, or genital area 
• vaginal discharge 
• a feeling of pressure in the area below the stomach 

Within a few days, sores (also called lesions) show up where the virus has entered the body, such as on the mouth, penis, or vagina. Sores can also show up on a woman’s cervix, which is the opening to the uterus or womb, or in the urinary passage in men. The sores are small red bumps that may turn into blisters or painful open sores. Over a period of days, the sores become crusted and then heal without scarring. 

Other later symptoms of genital herpes may include: 

• small red bumps on the penis, vagina, or wherever the infection began. These bumps may become blisters or painful
• open sores that can take up to four weeks to heal. 
• itching or burning in the genital area 
• pain in the legs, buttocks, or genital area 
• vaginal discharge 
• feeling pressure or discomfort around your stomach 
• fever 
• headache 
• muscle aches 
• pain when urinating 
• swollen glands in the genital area 

Some people may have no symptoms – but they can still spread herpes! Sometimes only very mild sores appear, but are mistaken for an insect bite or other skin problems. If you have HIV, a genital herpes infection can be worse.

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