Genital herpes is an infection of the genital area by the herpes simplex virus that occurs in both men and women. It is usually caught by being in close skin contact, usually sexual relations, with an infected individual. In order to see if you have herpes you can look online for Pictures of Genital Herpes.
Although a few people will remain symptom free who have genital herpes, typically the most common symptom is an outbreak of genital sores that resemble pimples or cold sores.These can be located on the penis, anus, buttocks or thighs for men, while women tend to experience sores on the labia, clitoris, buttocks, anal area, vulvis and pubis.
Unlike a cold or the flu where symptoms eventually subside and disappear, genital herpes involves ongoing outbreaks that are preceded by warning symptoms. Symptoms during the primary outbreak may include muscle aches, headache and fever similar to having the flu, along with redness, burning, itching and tingling in the genital area.
Painful blisters will also appear during the first outbreak of genital herpes in and around the genital area, some as small as a pinpoint and others as large as a penny in size. Urination is often painful and there may be abnormal discharge from the vagina.
Initial symptoms of genital herpes may not occur for several months or even years after contact with the infected person. Recurrent outbreaks are never as severe as the initial occurence, although women tend to experience recurrent outbreaks lasting longer than men.
Warning symptoms that a recurrent herpes outbreak is set to begin within a few hours or a few days include a burning, tingling or uncomfortable itching sensation in the genital area, mild flu-like symptoms including fever and aches, inflammation of the lymph nodes located in the groin, a burning sensation on the legs of the bottom of the feet, unexplained pain in the legs or buttock area, along with a general feeling of depression or irritability.
While the herpes viris is active on the skin, either during an initial or recurrent outbreak, an individual is very contageous and should refrain from sexual activity or other skin on skin contact with another uninfected person.
The herpes sores that appear during recurrent outbreaks usually lessen in severity within 24 hours of their appearance. Sores usually begin healing within 5 to 6 days of the outbreak.