Signs and Symptoms for the First Herpes outbreak
The symptoms of genital herpes can vary widely, depending upon whether you are having an initial or recurrent episode. However, many people infected with genital herpes never experience symptoms. Signs can vary a great deal.
Herpes might not have any symptoms.
Most people who have genital herpes have no symptoms, or have very mild symptoms. You may not notice mild symptoms or you may mistake them for another skin condition, such as a pimple or ingrown hair. Because of this, most people who have herpes do not know it. You may not have any herpes symptoms that you can see or feel, or the signs of herpes may be so mild you don’t even notice them.
It is estimated that one in five persons in the United States has genital herpes; however, as many as 90 percent are unaware that they have the virus. This is because many people have very mild symptoms that go unrecognized or are mistaken for another condition or no symptoms at all.
What Happens in an HSV Infection?
Genital herpes virus is passed from one person to another through sexual contact. This happens even if the person with the virus doesn't have symptoms or signs of infection. Once the virus enters through the skin, it travels along nerve paths. It may become dormant (inactive) in the nerves and remain there indefinitely.
Because signs can vary a great deal, we recommend that an individual see a healthcare provider to be tested if they have a lesion of any kind. This can be swabbed for a culture test or for other sensitive tests.
More facts about herpes testing and the five stages of a typical outbreak.
How long does it take for herpes to show up?
A person may show symptoms within days after contracting genital herpes, or it may take weeks, months, or years. Some people may have a severe outbreak within days after contracting the virus while others may have a first outbreak so mild that they do not notice it.
Oral herpes symptoms
Usually, oral herpes is less painful than genital herpes and doesn’t make you feel as sick. Oral herpes causes sores on your lips or around your mouth — called cold sores or fever blisters. You can also get sores inside your mouth, but that usually only happens the first few times you have symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms for the first genital herpes outbreak
If you were diagnosed with genital herpes in the last few days, you may be experiencing a number of uncomfortable or painful symptoms. Or, perhaps the symptoms are rather mild, barely noticeable, and resemble an insect bite or a rash. First herpes outbreak usually occur within the first two weeks after the virus is transmitted.
The “classic” symptoms that most people associate with genital herpes are sores, vesicles, or ulcers – all of which can also be called “lesions.” (The scientific literature on herpes uses the term “lesion” to describe any break or irregularity in the skin.) These classic lesions of genital herpes often resemble small pimples or blisters that eventually crust over and finally scab like a small cut. These lesions may take anywhere from two to four weeks to heal fully. You might have these other symptoms too:
- burning when you pee if your urine touches the herpes sores
- having trouble peeing because the sores and swelling are blocking your
- itching
- pain around your genitals
During this time, some people will experience a second crop of lesions, and some will experience flu-like symptoms, including fever and swollen glands, particularly in the lymph nodes near the groin. Headache and painful urination also sometimes accompany full-blown symptoms of first episodes.
Again, while first episodes can amount to a major bout with illness, the signs of herpes come in a wide variety – and in some people an initial infection produces mild symptoms or even symptoms that are ignored.
For many people, herpes lesions can so mild that they may be mistaken for:
- insect bites
- abrasions
- yeast infection
- “jock itch”
The signs go unrecognized as being caused by genital herpes. Signs and symptoms can be found on the penis and vulva, near the anus, on the thigh, on the buttocks, and virtually anywhere in the genital area.
Treatment with antiviral drugs is standard during first episodes and can speed healing significantly. If you haven’t already, you may want to discuss treatment with your healthcare provider at this time.
Don’t Mistake These For Herpes:
Sometimes the blisters associated with other illnesses can be mistaken for herpes:
- Syphilis chancres or blisters;
- The bacterial disease impetigo;
- Genital warts associated with herpes.
How Long does the first Herpes Outbreak Last?
The first herpes outbreak lasts about 2 to 4 weeks. Even though the blisters go away, the virus stays in your body and can cause sores again. It’s really common to get repeat outbreaks, especially during the first year you have herpes. You might notice some warning signs a few hours or days before outbreaks flare up, like itching, burning, or a tingly feeling on your genitals. Read more about herpes recurrences.
Related: how long does it last for recurrent outbreaks.
Cold sores last a few weeks and then go away on their own. They can pop up again in weeks, months, or years. Cold sores are annoying, but usually harmless in kids and adults — they can be really dangerous to newborn babies, though.
Have herpes & feel alone? Meet nearby people with herpes
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How did you get herpes? Who spread it to you?
A diagnosis of herpes often comes as a shock and can leave you asking “how did I get herpes”? "Did my recent sex partner gave me herpes?". Well, there are many possibilities and some you might find surprising. Because of these possibilities, it can be difficult for you to know from whom. Contiue to read how did I get herpes.
Herpes Symptoms in Men vs Women
In males, the vesicles appear on the shaft of penis. In both sexes, the blisters could also appear around the anus, thighs, and buttocks.
In women, lesions from herpes symptoms usually appear on the area surrounding their vagina. For unknown reasons, the symptoms are severer and last longer in women compared to men. In women, the lesions might involve the inside of genital tract (cervix) and might cause ulceration. Also, the chances of complications are higher in women compared to men. Women might also experience urinary symptoms and might experience complications involving the brain (meningitis), although this is extremely rare.
Will you have a re-occurrence?
The symptoms of genital herpes may reappear from time to time. This is because once the herpes virus is acquired, it stays permanently in the body. Most of the time it remains inactive, but every so often it may reactivate and cause another outbreak.
Each individual is different – some people never have a recurrence; others may have recurrences several times a year. However, recurrent outbreaks are usually shorter and less severe than the first herpes episode. Read more facts about repeat herpes outbreak.
Certain events or situations can trigger recurrences, and you may reduce the trigger factors, which may include stress at work or home, fatigue, ill health, loss of sleep, friction due to sexual intercourse, and menstruation in women.
How to Manage the First Outbreak?
They can be extremely painful, and it’s important to see a doctor in case you need a prescription like Valocyclovir or Acyclovir. The sooner you start taking it, the more likely you are to curb the outbreak.
Unfortunately,there is no cure for herpes. However, if you receive anti-viral medications promptly, you might experience the following benefits:
- Speedy recovery
- Fewer chances of complications
- Fewer chances of future outbreaks
- A decrease in the severity of symptoms
Have herpes & feel alone? Meet nearby people with herpes
PositiveSingles is one of the most popular dating websites for people suffering from herpes and other STD. It was initiated in 2001. With 1,510,800+ members you are sure to find lots of potentail people around you.
Join and meet nearby people with herpes, browse profiles and chat now!
Know more facts about herpes outbreak:
First herpes outbreak | Recurrent herpes outbreaks | Stages of a herpes outbreak | How long does a herpes outbreak last | How often do herpes outbreaks occur? | What can trigger herpes outbreaks? | How to recognize a herpes outbreak? | How to prevent herpes outbreaks | Viral shedding | Herpes treatment | How to strengthen your immune system
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