Understanding Genital Herpes -- Symptoms
What Are The Symptoms of Genital Herpes?
Genital herpes most often appears as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. When these blisters burst they leave the tender sores known as ulcers. The first time a person has a herpes outbreak, the ulcers may take two to four weeks to heal. The next outbreaks may not occur for weeks, months, or even later. When they do, they usually are less severe than the first outbreak. Herpes infection doesn't go away, but the outbreaks tend to become less frequent over time.
Genital herpes symptoms also include:
Genital Herpes Glossary of Terms
You may hear some of the words and terms that follow as you learn about genital herpes. We have chosen some that seem obvious, but have slightly different meanings when used in the context of genital herpes. For example, you may think you know what genitals are, but read the definition. antibodies Antibodies are proteins that circulate in the body. Whenever a person is exposed to a new pathogen (a virus or bacterium), the immune system creates specific antibodies for it. When an antibody...
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- Numbness, tingling, or burning in the genital region
- A burning sensation while urinating or having intercourse
- Painful urination, difficulty urinating, or a frequent need to urinate
- Watery blisters in the genital area
Many people with recurrent herpes experience warning signals up to 48 hours before an outbreak. These may consist of tingling, itching, or pain at the site of the eruption, or pain running down into the buttocks or to the knees.
A doctor can diagnose genital herpes by looking at the outbreak and by taking a sample from the sores. There are also blood tests for HSV-1 and HSV-2, although they can’t pinpoint when the infection was acquired or predict when an outbreak is likely to happen again. They are therefore of limited value.
Medications are available to treat and reduce or prevent recurrent herpes outbreaks.
WebMD Medical Reference
