Early Stages of Herpes in Women

Herpes in women can be painful and serious once an outbreak occurs. Very often, women do not know they have been exposed to the herpes virus, nor do they know when they have actually contracted it. Understanding the general information regarding the herpes virus is helpful in guarding against contracting the disease.

About

• Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that, in its early stages, involves the originating virus traveling through the body to cause a reddish spot or blister.

Causes

• Herpes occurs when the herpes-causing virus comes into contact with the mouth or vagina. Microscopic tissue tears are naturally present in these locations on a woman's body and the virus enters the body through these tears.

Risk Factors

• Women with compromised immune systems are more at risk for herpes. And because most women do not know that they have herpes, they can be unknowingly spreading it to their sexual partners.

Signs/Symptoms

• The first sign of genital herpes in women is the feeling of itching at the site of the infection. Painful blisters then form and break, but often, women do not experience these symptoms at all.

Treatment

• Herpes is most effectively treated with oral or intravenous medication that diminishes the virus during an outbreak. Topical ointments are also available for blisters during an outbreak, but these have been found to be less effective than the oral medications available.