GENITIAL HERPES: SYMPTOMS

This is a virus, so it’s pretty small (minuscule, in fact). It is spread by contact with someone who is shedding (transmitting) the virus, usually from an active herpes lesion (a coldsore). This may be anywhere, but is usually on the mouth or in the genital region. A herpes lesion is typically a small, painful, blistering sore. There are some people who are not particularly aware of having an active lesion, as the sore may be quite tiny, or not very painful, or in the early stages of recurrence. There may be no apparent lesion, but this is less common. The problem is that the virus can still be spread, despite the lack of symptoms in the ‘spreader’.

Symptoms will generally be apparent in the ‘catcher’ within three to seven days if the infection has been spread. The first ever episode of herpes is almost always the worst. In women the typical first presentation is the development of painful blisters around the vagina and urethra (where the urine comes out). This means that it can be extremely painful to wee. Rarely, in severe cases, this may cause the bladder and urethra to involuntarily shut off, causing retention of urine, which needs to be treated in hospital. More commonly though, it is just very painful. There may be fevers, sweats, and swelling of the groin lymph glands. This phase can last several days.

Men experience the same development of painful blisters. These may be on the penis or anywhere in the groin region. They may also suffer lymph gland swelling and tenderness, fevers, and pain on passing urine.

Fortunately, in both women and men, it gets better. The blisters start to dry, and slowly heal. After about ten to fourteen days the skin becomes normal again.

The virus, however, does not disappear. It lurks in a nerve fibre, ready to travel back down to the skin and make some new blisters when the body’s defense system isn’t watching.

The recurrences are what make herpes such an annoying infection. Some people have none, or barely noticeable recurrences. Most people will notice the blisters recurring at some stage, but not often. Some unfortunate people will have painful recurrences as often as once a month, for instance with the menstrual cycle. The recurrences are rarely as severe as the first episode, but can still cause significant discomfort. Fortunately, most people notice fewer, if any, recurrences after about five years.

*75\52\4*

RelatedPosts:

• HYSTERECTOMY: QUESTIONS OFTEN ASKED
• FERTILITY AND NUTRITION: EATING WELL
• CHEMICALLY INDUCED MENOPAUSE/SIDE EFFECTS: SEXUALITY AND HOT FLASHES
• BREAST CANCER/NONSURGICAL TREATMENTS: CHEMOTHERAPY
• BREAST CANCER/AXILLARY NODE DISSECTIONS: ANOTHER WAY TO LOCATE THE SENTINEL NODE
• BREAST CANCER/PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS: THE MOST PAINFUL AND FRIGHTENING ASPECT
• BREAST CANCER SUPPORTING TEAMS: THIS IS A LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP
• CANCER OF THE UTERUS: ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE UTERUS
• PREGNANCY: WHAT SHOULD I DO AND NOT DO?
• WHO SHOULD HAVE SMEAR TESTS?