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Information on the Early Onset of Herpes

For many people infected with the herpes simplex 1 virus (HSV-1) or herpes simplex 2 virus (HSV-2) that cause genital outbreaks, early onset of symptoms goes undetected. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some 90 percent of people infected with the herpes virus don't know it. But if you experience early onset symptoms, they will be pronounced.

  1. When Can I Expect a Primary Outbreak?

    • According to the CDC, if you experience a primary outbreak (first episode) of genital herpes, you'll probably begin to notice symptoms within about two weeks after being exposed to HSV by an infected sexual partner. However, most people don't experience a pronounced primary outbreak and can remain asymptomatic for months or years.

    Early Warning Signs

    • Before you begin to notice sores on your genital area, you're likely to experience full-body symptoms during the prodrome phrase of herpes. These symptoms may include fever, headache, aching joints, swollen glands (near the groin), and fatigue--you may feel as though you have the flu. You may also notice tenderness, pain or tingling in the skin where lesions will erupt.

    First Outbreak

    • According to the CDC, the first outbreak of herpes is usually the worst, taking between two and four weeks to resolve. Lesions consisting of small groups of watery blisters appear on and around the genital area. These rupture, scab over and eventually heal. It's not uncommon for a second group of blisters to appear just as the first group is healing during the course of a primary outbreak.

    Will I Recognize Early Onset of Herpes?

    • You might not. According to Mayo Clinic experts, people who've been infected with the HSV-1 virus that causes cold sores (oral herpes) have built up an immunity to the type of virus (HSV-2) that typically causes genital herpes. Your signs and symptoms may be so mild, you don't even notice them. You may misdiagnose a minor outbreak as an insect bite, razor rash, a pimple or chafing from a bike ride.

    Treating Herpes

    • If you're diagnosed with genital herpes by way of medical tests, prescription oral antiviral medications can be taken episodically when you notice early onset of herpes, or on a daily basis to prevent the frequency, duration and severity of subsequent outbreaks. Antivirals can also reduce the severity of a primary outbreak as well.

    Statistic

    • According to the CDC, herpes is common as one of five adults and adolescents are infected with HSV.

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