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Initial Symptoms of Herpes

When most people hear the word herpes, they often imagine that of the genital variety, but this is only one of the strains of the herpes virus. There's also a virus called herpes simplex type 1, which is often responsible for oral herpes, or the formation of cold sores in and around a person's mouth. It is type 2 that typically causes genital herpes; however, either strain, as opposed to popular belief, can plague both the genitals and the mouth. Whichever strain affects a person; there are a number of initial symptoms experienced during an outbreak.

  1. Absence of Symptoms

    • For many people, herpes will cause no initial symptoms that the virus is even present in their system, especially with the second strain of the herpes virus. And if a person does manifest symptoms, they can often be so mild that they go on, according to the Mayo Clinic, without ever being detected by the individual.

    Pain and Discomfort

    • For others, the area of infection can start to feel somewhat painful or even tingly a few weeks after the initial exposure. Typically, these sensations will happen prior to the formation of blisters or sores. However, it is also possible for some pain and discomfort to be felt after an actual outbreak. This pain or discomfort is often isolated to the affected area, but can sometimes be felt as an overall ache in the muscles.

    Blisters and Sores

    • After the individual experiences the pain or tingling sensation, he can begin to develop blisters or sores in and around the area of infection. These blisters or sores usually appear first as small, red bumps that can later split or open into ulcers. With genital herpes, it may take several days for these blisters or sores to develop. But with oral herpes, the span of time is much less, usually 1 to 2 days after discomfort begins.

    Urinary Pain

    • When the blisters and sores develop inside the vagina or penis, a person can suffer from a urinary pain. This pain during urination often prompts a burning or stinging sensation as the person passes the urine.

    Fever

    • It isn't uncommon for a person infected with the herpes simplex virus to suffer from a fever. This is especially the case, according to the Mayo Clinic, during the initial outbreak. With this fever, many people also experience headaches as well as a swelling in the glands of the pelvis.

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