What are the symptoms of genital herpes?
The symptoms of genital herpes vary from person to person. Some people have severe symptoms, such as many painful sores, while others have mild symptoms. An initial outbreak of genital herpes usually brings about symptoms within two weeks of having sexual contact with an infected person and can last from two to three weeks. The early symptoms can include: • an itching or burning feeling in the genital or anal area • flu-like symptoms, including fever • swollen glands • pain in the legs, buttocks, or genital area • vaginal discharge • a feeling of pressure in the area below the stomach Within a few days, sores (also called lesions) show up where the virus has entered the body, such as on the mouth, penis, or vagina. Sores can also show up on a woman’s cervix, which is the opening to the uterus or womb, or in the urinary passage in men. The sores are small red bumps that may turn into blisters or painful open sores.
Symptoms of genital herpes vary and may include: A rash, bumps, blisters, cuts, or sores in or around the genital area (vagina, vulva, anus, penis, or scrotum) Itching, burning, or tingling in or around the genital area Aches or pains in or around the genital area Discharge from the penis or vagina Burning and/or pain when urinating Flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever, and swollen glands (lymph nodes) in the groin It is possible to have no symptoms at all Genital herpes symptoms can appear in various areas of the body. Once a person has been infected with the herpes virus, it lies dormant (inactive) in the bundle of nerves at the base of the spine until it becomes active. Once the virus becomes active, it travels along nerve paths to the surface of the skin, where it may cause an outbreak. The nerves in the buttocks, genital area, and upper thighs are connected. Therefore an outbreak can occur on the anus, buttocks, thigh, penis, scrotum, vagina, and/or vulva.
