What are the signs and symptoms of a persons initial herpes (HSV1) infection?
The signs and symptoms associated with a person’s initial infection of the herpes simplex virus (termed “primary herpetic stomatitis”) usually take the following form: • The first signs of the infection are characterized by nonspecific constitutional symptoms. These can include: fever, irritability, headache, and pain upon swallowing. • A day or so after the infection’s initial signs have appeared the person’s mouth becomes painful and their gums become intensely inflamed. • Usually by day three of the infection a number of tiny blisters have formed throughout the person’s mouth. • These blisters soon rupture resulting in gray colored ulcers. • These ulcers can be very painful and often interfere with a person’s ability to eat. • The ulcers will eventually heal. Usually the entire infection has run its course within 10 to 14 days.
