How to Know if You're Having a Herpes Breakout

Herpes breakouts aren't always evident. An astounding 80 percent to 90 percent of people don't notice their first outbreak of genital herpes, according to the Mayo Clinic. Herpes breakouts are very subtle because many people are already infected with the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) that causes oral herpes (cold sores). The antibodies the body builds to fend other herpes viruses--in this case, the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)--suppress obvious signs and symptoms of genital herpes.

It's important to note that genital herpes outbreaks affect each person very differently, and the indicators that you have one may be very subtle--you might mistake genital lesions as an insect bite, razor rash or, in the case of women, a yeast infection. But if you do have an primary herpes breakout--which the Mayo Clinic notes is generally the most severe--you may notice certain indicators.

Instructions

Primary Herpes Outbreak

• 1

  Take a look at the overall time line. If you're infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2 that causes genital herpes, the primary outbreak will typically occur within two weeks of being exposed to the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

• 2

  Notice if you feel pain, itching or a tingling sensation in the area of the genitals. This warning sign, or "prodrome," may occur one or two days before lesions erupt in the sensitive area.

• 3

  Don't ignore full-body symptoms that can occur during the primary breakout. Mayo Clinic experts note that some of the symptoms you may experience include a headache, aching joints, fever and general malaise--as though you have the flu. The lymph nodes in the groin may also feel swollen and sensitive.

• 4

  Look for the presence of herpes sores. According to the Mayo Clinic, these often erupt on both sides of the genitals. Herpes lesions may be comprised of numerous small watery blisters that eventually rupture, scab over and heal within two to three weeks. However, during an initial outbreak, a second cluster of lesions may erupt just as the first are healing.

• 5

  See your doctor--this is the only way to receive a diagnosis of genital herpes. A health care practitioner can usually diagnose herpes based on results of a physical examination, as well as certain tests, which may include a viral culture (tissue sample), blood test or polymerase chain reaction test.