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Disease Symptom Tips :: Signs of Herpes
Signs of Herpes: How Understanding the Sings and Symptoms of Herpes Can Help
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Understanding the visible and invisible signs of herpes are crucial to combating the spread of this incurable disease. There are eight different human herpes viruses, but the two most common forms are types 1 and 2.
Type 1 generally refers to oral herpes, which is found around the mouth and lips. Type 2 is usually focused on the genital area. To learn how herpes presents itself and what an outbreak looks and feels like, keep reading.
What Happens When a Herpes Outbreak Occurs
In many cases, the herpes infection does not cause any symptoms when it's first acquired, particularly if the disease is acquired in childhood. However, the first attack is often called the primary attach and if there are any symptoms, then they are typically worse than any subsequent attack.
This is because there are no protective antibodies yet in order for the body to mount a defense against the herpes virus. This is also why adults who had chicken pox as children may experience less severe or even non-apparent signs of herpes.
Essentially, the virus causes inflammation - itching at first, followed by a blister or blisters at the site of entry, be it the mouth, the vulva, the penis or the anus. There may be marked swelling around these sore places. It's typically accompanied by a general feeling of being unwell - fever, aches, pains and swollen glands which may be painful.
Blister Stages with Herpes
The blister or blisters will then burst, leaving a shallow ulcer that's painful to touch. These will heal after a few days, in most cases between seven and ten days. If the primary site is open to the air (like on the mouth or shaft of the penis), the sores will often crust over and be more uncomfortable than if on a covered bit of skin.
Herpes Attacks and Women
A primary attack of genital herpes can be a nasty experience, particularly for women. Urine, as it flows over the sores, can cause pain and used to be thought why women with herpes had trouble urinating. However, now it's known that herpes can actually attack the spinal cord at its lower level and interfere with the nerves that control the ability to pee and defecate.
Recurrence of Herpes Symptoms
Most people who are infected with the herpes virus will have further outbreaks or recurrences later in life. For those who were symptomatic in their primary attack (that is, exhibiting symptoms), they'll often see the same signs of herpes, but less severe. It will usually occur on the same part of the body and may simply show itself as a temporarily itchy area.
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