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How to Identify Herpes Outbreaks

Herpes is a term for viruses that cause sores or blisters in the mouth, genital or anal area. The virus that causes genital herpes can be spread through sexual contact, including oral, vaginal and anal, and through vaginal delivery. Oral herpes can be spread through oral sex, razors, towels and other methods. Once people contract the herpes virus, it stays in their body, but the sores that it causes can be treated with antiviral medications. To diagnose genital or oral herpes outbreaks, look for their symptoms or get tested.

Things You'll Need

  • Mirror
  • Blood test
  • Herpes viral culture
  • Polymerase chain reaction test
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Instructions

  1. Diagnosing Herpes Outbreaks

    • 1

      Symptoms of genital herpes usually appear about two weeks after you have contracted the herpes virus. The primary symptom of outbreaks is blisters or sores in your genital or buttocks area. You also might experience pain or itching in your genitals, or pain during urination. You can have multiple outbreaks of sores for two to four weeks every year, according to the Mayo Clinic and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    • 2

      Symptoms of oral herpes appear between one and three weeks after you have contracted the herpes virus, according to MedlinePlus. Oral herpes causes ulcers on your lips, gums or other parts of your mouth. These ulcers often stay around for seven to 10 days, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (see Resources section). You can also develop an eye infection, enlarged lymph nodes, nausea, a headache or a fever. Before lesions appear, you might have itching sensations on your mouth.

    • 3

      If you are not sure what caused sores in your mouth or on your genitals, see a doctor. A physician can examine you for symptoms of herpes.

    • 4

      During a viral culture, a doctor takes a sample from your sores and sends it to a laboratory. Tests there determine which herpes virus is responsible for your sores.

    • 5

      Sometimes a doctor will perform a blood test to find out whether the blood contains antibodies, which the body creates to fight infections, or proteins specific to the herpes viruses.

    • 6

      A doctor will use a polymerase chain reaction test to find out whether you have contracted one of the herpes viruses. During this PCR test, a doctor takes a sample of your tissue or spinal fluid, which is sent to a laboratory to be examined.

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