Herpes Symptoms

Herpes Outbreaks occur for a number of reasons, but the main cause of herpes symptoms recurring is when the bodies’ immune system becomes weakened and allows the virus to spread throughout your body again. The following factors could cause a weakened immune system:

			Sexual intercourse.
			Menstruation.
			Too much stress or anxiety.
			Fatigue.
			Another illness.

Cold sore symptoms (HSV1)

Before a cold sore appears the area on the face may feel slightly raised, tingle and appear inflamed and red. This pain or tingling sensation is called the prodrome (or warning symptom) and typically occurs 1 to 2 days before the cold sore appears on the face.

A cold sore generally appears as a small blister filled with fluid which goes through a number of phases. The blister will usually ulcerate and form a scab or crust before healing and disappearing completely. The duration of a typical cold sore outbreak may last from 10 to 15 days.

Genital herpes symptoms (HSV2)

The first outbreak of genital herpes symptoms is unique from all other recurrences of the virus. It is more severe and aggressive for the majority of people because your body has not yet developed any antibodies for the HSV virus. However for a small number of people the first outbreak may be very mild and symptoms may be barley noticeable.
Symptoms occur usually within a range of two to twenty days after infection and can often last for up to four weeks. There are occasions where many years may pass before the virus decides to show itself.
There are many symptoms associated with genital herpes. If you have genital herpes you may be experiencing one or more of the following symptoms within your genital area.

	Flu-like symptoms such as fever, headaches and swollen glands
	A rash within your genital area.
	Pains in your muscles or aches within your genital area.
	Discharge from the vagina or penis.
	A blister(s), cut, tear, sore, bump within your genital area.
	Tingling, itching or burning sensations within your genital area.
	Burning/pain when you urinate.

Other Condictions (see condictions confused with herpes)

People can confuse other skin problems with herpes due to them discovering lumps or rashes within their genital area. Here in these pictures are the most common condictions which are confused with herpes.

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Genital Warts

Genital warts is is a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease. It is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact during oral, genital, or anal sex with an infected partner.

For more information click here.

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Canker Sores (aphthous ulcers)

Canker sore, is a type of mouth ulcer, appears as a painful open sore inside the mouth or upper throat. Its cause is unknown, but they are not contagious. There are many over-the-counter treatments available.

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Impetigo

Impetigo is a highly contagious bacterial skin infection most common among pre-school children. It causes painless, fluid-filled blisters usually on the body, arms and legs. The skin around the blister is usually red and itchy but not sore. Oral antibiotics are usually prescribed as treatment.

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Shingles (herpes toster)

Shingles is also known as herpes toster. Shingles can only develop if the person has once had chickenpox. The virus that causes chickenpox is not eliminated from the body and years later this virus can go on to cause shingles. Despite the similarity of name, herpes zoster is not the same disease as herpes.

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Syphillis

Syphillis is a STD effecting over 14 million people worldwide, 90% of these people are from the developing world. Diagnosis is usually via blood tests. It can be effectively treated with antibiotics.Currently their is no vaccine effective for prevention.

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Molluscum Contagiosum

Molluscum contagiosum virus is spread through skin-to-skin contact. This includes sexual contact or touching or scratching the bumps and then touching the skin. Handling objects that have the virus on them such as a towel, can also result in infection. The bumps go away on their own after 8-12 weeks.

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Ringworm

Ringworm is a condiction caused by a fungal infection of the skin.It is estimated up to 20% of the population may be infected. The fungi may be present without any symptoms and is treated via an antifungal cream for 1-2 weeks.

Any doubt about lumps and rashes in your genital area can usually be resolved by a quick visit to a doctor or sexual health clinic.