Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is the common virus infection that occurs mainly due to the herpes simplex virus. This virus is of two main types, namely, type 1 and type 2. Apart from the genitals, it also infects the top of thighs, face, lips, and mouth. While they appear on the external surface, these infections usually have an identical appearance.
The initial symptoms of genital herpes are the most severe. Initial episodes of genital herpes last more than 20 days and it is common for people to experience a range of generalized symptoms. This includes diseases such as swollen lymph nodes, pains, aches, specific genital symptoms and fever. In case of others, the initial infections of genital herpes are mild with minimal symptoms.
For many people, the first genital herpes symptoms begin from two days to 15 days after the virus exposure. In some people, it may take long time to develop the symptoms, especially those, who have partial immunity to the virus.
Symptoms of genital herpes begin with itch, tingle, pain, or burns. Painful red spots begin to appear, which after a day or two, evolve through a phase of, fluid filled and clear blisters, which turn whitish yellow rapidly. Thereafter, the blisters begin to burst. It leaves behind painful ulcers that dry and heal within 10 days.
Sometimes, even the early stage of blisters development prolongs the episode. On the contrary, the blister stage is missed completely and the blisters begin to appear like small cracks or cuts in the skin.
Women especially experience pain when they urinate and when this thing occurs, it is important that they avoid any retention of urine. Hence, it is important that they drink plenty of water. This would dilute the urine and reduce the stinging and pain. In some women, even vaginal discharge occurs commonly.
Prominent Infection Areas:
For many women, the common infection areas for genital herpes are the entrance to the vagina and vulva. Sometimes, sores begin to develop on the cervix.
In men, the sores are common on the foreskin, glans, and the shaft of the penis. In some cases, they even develop on the testicles. In some cases, both women and men can experience sores on their buttocks, anus and on the top of their thighs.
Once the genital herpes virus gets inside the human cells, it uses the host cell material to reproduce itself. In this process, the cell destroys itself. The host cell destruction is responsible for the characteristic blisters, signs, and symptoms of genital herpes episode.
Recurrence Of Genital Herpes:
While some people do not experience symptomatic recurrences for genital herpes, for those who do, they are shorter and less severe compared to the initial episode. With time, the recurrences decrease in terms of both frequency and severity. However, there is little evidence that such things happen.
Before the recurrence of genital herpes, warning symptoms such as pain, itch, burn, and tingle generally occur. Just as the initial episode, there is a big variation in the recurrence experience.
Occasional recurrence of genital herpes is the most common scenario. There is a high possibility that some people may suffer from frequent genital herpes recurrence episodes.