Herpes Symptoms In Women: How To Recognise The Initial Symptoms Of Genital Herpes
Originating from a variation of the virus that causes cold sores on the face and mouth, genital herpes can be a very painful condition that reoccurs throughout a patient’s lifetime. The pathogen is transmitted through unprotected sexual activity, from penatrative sex, to oral and anal sex. If you are nervous about the evidence of genital herpes, the information below can help to identify herpes symptoms in women and men alike.
A Few Distinct Stages
When you’ve contracted the virus that causes genital herpes, it may lay dormant for a long period of time before any herpes symptoms present themselves. For months or even years the pathogen can be present in the human body without causing any negative effects.
When symptoms do appear, this is named an outbreak. Breakouts can happen seemingly at random, although some common triggers include fatigue, robust weather conditions, stress, and menstruation in women. When an onset of genital herpes occurs, the herpes symptoms in women and men take on a very similar pattern.
Flu-Like Symptoms
At first, the indications of genital herpes include a selection of flu-like symptoms. This could include fever, exhaustion and headaches in the first example, soon followed by swollen glands and aches round the body. In particular, aching limbs are a standard sign of influenza, as well as being a regularly experienced herpes symptom.
Of course, it might be easy to say that flu-like symptoms mean you have influenza! It is just as you become more conscious of your continuing genital herpes, that you’ll become even more able to foretell an outbreak, based on these early signs.
Tingling Sensation
The virus that causes genital herpes is known as the Type 2 Herpes Simplex virus, which is another strain of the virus that causes cold sores (Type 1 Herpes Simplex). If you have ever had a cold sore, you will know the tingling sensation under the outer layer of the skin that implies a sore is on its way. This same sensation in the genital or anal area can signal a potential genital herpes breakout.
When the virus decides to launch itself, it starts to move from the roots of the nerves towards the skin surface. This creates an itchy, tingling feeling on the surface of the skin and is one of the earliest unique herpes symptoms in women and men who carry the pathogen.
Blisters
When a complete genital herpes outburst occurs, few people are in any doubt as to the seriousness of the condition. Blisters full of liquid form on and around the genitals and subsequently burst, leaving red sores that are very agonising.
Herpes Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no remedy for the virus that causes genital herpes. If you have got the pathogen, break outs can occur regularly in your life. A few people may have just one outbreak of herpes symptoms, while others may suffer with genital herpes symptoms numerous times every year.
With the lack of a cure, you must search for a treatment that can help with the distressing symptoms, such as a calming topical cream like Lidocaine or Famvir. These creams can help to make breakouts more bearable when they do occur.
If you’re suffering from what seems to be genital herpes, be prepared for your next break out by stocking up on the medication you require. Whilst you must live with the virus in your system, the herpes symptoms in women and men can be effectively treated with ease.
Dr Conley is one of a group of UK registered doctors offering a trusted online prescription and online medical consultation advice service at Prescription2Home for issues such as genital herpes, weight loss, and erectile dysfunction.