Herpes is a viral infection with no cure that causes sores or blisters. There are two types: herpes simplex 1 and herpes simplex 2. Symptoms vary depending on the type and gender, with cold sores being the most common symptom of facial herpes and blisters or sores on or around the genitals being the most common symptom of genital herpes. Outbreaks can be mild with few visible symptoms, and some people may experience physical sensations before an outbreak occurs.
Herpes is a viral infection that causes sores or blisters. It is often transmitted through the exchange of bodily fluids and has no cure. There are two types of herpes: herpes simplex 1 and herpes simplex 2. Herpes symptoms can vary depending on the type of virus and gender.
Herpes simplex virus 1 tends to be the more prevalent of the two virus types and is typically responsible for facial herpes infections. Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are usually the most common symptom of a facial herpes infection. Sores are swollen, red blisters that usually appear on the lips or outer skin of the mouth. The blisters tend to burst and leak clear fluid before drying and healing usually within two to three weeks. Other symptoms of facial herpes include sore throat, fever, swollen glands, or pain around the mouth.
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that is most often caused by the herpes simplex virus 2. In rarer cases, genital herpes can be caused by herpes simplex 1. Herpes symptoms can manifest as blisters red sores or sores on or around the genitals, which dry up and heal in the same way as oral cold sores. Genital herpes can affect any area of the genitals, including the vagina, labia, penis, or scrotum; however, it can also affect surrounding areas, especially the anus, buttocks, and upper thighs.
Some people don’t show the main symptoms of herpes. They may have mild patches of red skin around the genitals or very small sores that look like ingrown hairs or pimples. People with herpes around the buttocks or anus may notice bumps or pain that they may mistake for hemorrhoids. Herpes sores inside the urethra can cause difficulty or pain when urinating. Women with genital herpes may notice increased vaginal itching.
Since herpes is a virus, there is no cure; therefore, herpes symptoms may heal and then reappear over time. Reappearances of herpes, called outbreaks, tend to have milder symptoms as the sufferer’s immune system gets used to the virus. Sores and blisters tend to be the most obvious herpes symptoms of both the facial and genital varieties. Other symptoms that may occur continuously are fever, headache, sensitivity to light, swollen glands or sore throat.
Some cases of herpes outbreaks are extremely mild and show few visible symptoms. Some people with the virus experience physical sensations, called prodromes, which can serve as forewarning of an outbreak. Prodromal symptoms include tingling in previously affected areas, leg pain, and back pain.
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