Genital Herpes Symptoms and Treatment
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When one is asked about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), among the first ones to come to mind is herpes. This is an infection that’s caused by the HSV-1 or HSV-2 virus, and people usually find symptoms some 2 to 3 days after infection. The tricky part about genital herpes, however, is that it is mostly asymptomatic—this means that the common genital herpes symptoms do not manifest, and this leads to further spread of infection and worse, getting others infected simply because they are not aware that they are engaging in intercourse with a herpes-infected partner.
This is perhaps why, in the United States of America alone, some 50 million people have genital herpes infections, and this figure grows by around a million every year. In the United Kingdom, it is said that some 15,000 new herpes infections are recorded every year. Without visible genital herpes symptoms or lack of awareness thereof, it’s easy to see how infected individuals can still be sexually active since they or their partners do not have any idea that there’s even any infection. That said, it’s definitely important to know what the common signs of a genital herpes infection are.
Common Genital Herpes Symptoms
- The most familiar genital herpes symptoms are the clusters of sores that manifest on the genitalia, whether it be the penis on men and the vagina on women. Aside from these particulars where men and women are concerned, other accompanying symptoms seen with a herpes infection include the following: severe headaches and muscle pains, high fevers of up to over 100 degrees, extreme fatigue, and swollen lymph nodes (oval-shaped organs found all around the body).
- In addition, herpes infections can cause complications when a person already has other illnesses. For example, an individual already suffering from the effects of AIDS or HIV could experience rapid spreading of the herpes virus , and it could head to other organs like the lungs and the brain when not addressed promptly. There may also be a recurrence of the outbreak after some time, where the same area gets some of the old symptoms but at least to a less serious degree.
In the following paragraphs, let’s look more closely into the different genital herpes symptoms depending on the gender of the person affected.
Genital Herpes Symptoms in Men
The common symptoms manifest on men depending on where they have “done the deed.” You may find the sores not just on the penis, but also on other areas where you might have touched the infected person’s infected parts. For example, the genital herpes symptoms may be present along the shaft, the other parts of the genitals, the butt, the anus, and even the inner portion of the thighs.
Expect inflamed skin around the affected areas, and blisters initially come out before they ripen into full-blown sores. While the genital herpes symptoms in men are usually present along the shaft and at the tip of their penises, the blisters do not usually occur around the genital’s base. What’s more, the cluster of blisters appear to be of a milder case than on women, with only several discernable sores.
Genital Herpes Symptoms in Women
It has been seen that women get the short end of the stick when it comes to the herpes virus and genital herpes symptoms. That’s because women usually have more intense and more serious symptoms compared to men, especially when you consider the first outbreak of the symptoms. These are genital herpes symptoms that are apart from the ones we’ve discussed above regarding infections in males.
The HSV-2 strain of the herpes virus has proven to be more potent on women, as they have four times as much chance of contracting the virus compared to men. Infections within the vagina or in the cervix are more serious. Some serious internal female genital herpes symptoms include a burning sensation while expelling urine, pelvic pain, as well as vaginal discharge. Women may also get another wave of blisters and sores upon the second week of the outbreak of symptoms.
In addition to such things to look out for, having genital herpes symptoms is especially sensitive for pregnant women. That’s because newborn children can get the infection when they are exposed to the virus as they pass through the birth canal during delivery. This is why pregnant women need to have immediate medical attention when they see any genital herpes symptoms.
On to Recovery
After the initial genital herpes symptoms outbreak, those infected usually have to wait for around 2 to 3 weeks before the symptoms subside and the visible blisters dry up. There may still be some skin pain for up to 6 weeks after the infection has cleared, but it is not likely as intense as during the first outbreak. Just make sure that the sores are always dry. Even in this state, and without genital herpes symptoms present anywhere in the anatomy, there may still be traces of the herpes virus in a person’s system. A follow-up with the doctor is recommended to ensure recovery.
During periods of the initial outbreak of genital herpes symptoms, people must never hesitate to get medical attention as well as avoid any sexual activity that may put other people at risk of infection. Condoms may reduce the chances of infecting the partner, but they aren’t totally guaranteed to mitigate the risk.
Antiviral medication will be prescribed by the doctor, and these can greatly help to clear up the virus. Other things that can prevent the spread of the infection include drinking a lot of water, taking a bath with cool water, and wearing loose pieces of clothing. Analgesics can also be taken to get rid of pain.
Once you see any outbreak of these genital herpes symptoms, then the best course of action is to go to a doctor and seek out any help. Do this as early as you can so that the spread of the virus can be contained and in order for your condition to be treated right away. Remember: having genital herpes isn’t fatal, but it’s always best to address the situation right at the onset of the infection.