Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Herpes Symptoms You Need To Check

The symptoms of genital herpes fluctuate greatly from person to person, with many people having no noticeable symptoms(asymptomatic) .

Genital Herpes:

* The first outbreak and other herpes symptoms * Recurrences* What brings on or "triggers" an outbreak or recurrence?
* Prodrome(warning symptoms)
* Cycle of a typical outbreak or recurrence* Routine Check- ups* Mistaken signs

The first outbreak. . .

Symptoms:

* normally develop within 2 to 20 days after contact* can continue up to 2 weeks* can be so mild it goes unnoticed* may take longer or be less severe in some people, especially in those with partial immunity to the virus from having facial herpes, e. g. cold sores.  Positive Singles
* inside the first attack sometimes causes visible sores* continue between 10- 21 days

Your first episode is the most severe as most people have not been exposed to the virus before and antibodies will not have been produced to trigger the immune response.

Once the herpes virus gets into skin cells it reproduces itself and starts to multiply, making the skin red and sensitive. Blisters or bumps may appear on the genital area, the blisters first opening, then healing with the regeneration of new skin tissue.


The infected area:

* is usually painful and may itch, burn or tingle, throughout the outbreak.

Further symptoms include:

* swollen lymph glands* painful inflamed blisters develop around infected area* headache* muscle ache* fever* vaginal or penis discharge* infection with the urethra causing a burning sensation in the course of urination* a burning sensation in the genitals* lower back pain* tiny red bumps may appear in the genital area following earlier symptoms, later developing into painful blisters, which crust over, form a scab, and heal.

No Symptoms:

Up to 60% of people who have genital HSV show no signs of the disease and are unaware that they are infected, but are capable of transmitting the virus to others(asymptomatic viral shedding) .

Recurrences

Next recurrences of the virus may bring about an outbreak of blisters.

Recurrences:

* are usually shorter and less severe than the initial episode* could decrease in both severity and frequency over time* are usually preceded by warning symptoms(also known as prodromal symptoms)

After the lesions have healed, and the symptoms of recurrence have ended, pain and discomfort in the genital area is still sometimes felt(post- herpetic neuralgia) .

Non- steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs are used to treat this condition. Some people find these drugs effective for the discomfort of the prodrome, and for the duration of the outbreak.

How common are recurrences?

* 80% of individuals having a first episode caused by HSV- 2 will have at least one recurrence* 50% of people with HSV- 1 will experience a recurrence* The most common scenario is occasional recurrences(about 4 attacks per year)
* Generally, your first year has the most viral activity

Any recurrence takes place when the virus replicates in the nerve ganglia and particles of virus travel along the nerve to the site of primary infection in the skin or mucous membranes(inner, moist lining of the mouth, vagina etc) .

You will find very subtle forms of recurring herpes found on the penis, vulva, anus, thigh and buttocks or anywhere in or around the genital area that heal very quickly(within a matter of days) .

Signs of Recurrent Outbreaks:

* Breaks or irregularities inside the skin, including a cut, red bump or rash* Small sores or blisters that form a crust may occur anywhere in the region between the legs- - thigh, buttocks, anus, or pubis* Healing occurs in half the time as the first outbreak


The activities brings on or "triggers" an outbreak or recurrence?

Though it is not known exactly why the virus reactivates at various times, both physical and/or psychological factors can bring on an outbreak.

Physical Components:

Physical factors differ from person to person, but may be caused from:

* being run- down* undergoing other genital infections(affecting the local skin area)
* menstruation* drinking a lot of alcohol* exposure of the area to strong sunlight* illnesses that compromise a person's immune system(where the body's immune system is not functioning normally)
* prolonged periods of anxiety* ultraviolet light* friction or damage to the skin, caused by, for example, sexual intercourse, may also lead to a recurrence* surgical trauma* everything that lowers your immune system or causes local injury can trigger recurrences.

Psychological Factors:

* periods of prolonged stress may cause more frequent recurrences* it is also common to experience stress and anxiety as a result of having recurrences.

Prodrome

A warning indication(prodrome) is experienced by many people in recurring outbreaks. Warning symptoms, which indicate the virus is becoming active, and is on its way to the skin's surface, may include:

* itching* tingling* numbness* burning* common fatigue* flu- like indications* fever* swelling with the lymph nodes in the area of outbreak* headache* painful urination* pain inside the buttocks, back of legs, lower back

Cycle of a conventional outbreak or recurrence

The symptoms of an active herpes outbreak or recurrence may occur in the following phases.

Symptomatic Course with the Disease:

* Inflammation

Swelling, tenderness, and/or redness which will appear before the actual outbreak, and may include itching, and sensitivity. Your inflammation may never progress to blisters.

* Blisters

One or several small fluid filled lesions, tiny red bumps, or rash may form and can resemble small fissures, especially near the anus.

* Ulcers

When the skin breaks on the blisters, small, round, wet looking, ulcers leaking clear to milky colored fluid can be seen* Crust

The sores begin to dry, scab, and crust over beginning the healing process. The virus may possibly still be present until the ulcer has completely healed, and also the scab falls off.

NOTE: the sores fail to always crust before healing.

* Healing

Fresh skin is formed and may look a little red, or silver. Viral replication is complete, the virus has left the skin's surface, and the skin is now safe to touch. Healing of the skin does not typically leave scarring. The virus then retreats into the nerves and lies dormant.

Routine Check- ups

A check up for herpes is critical because:

* lesions might be overlooked* lesions could be invisible to the human eye

Mistaken Symptoms

Herpes outbreaks may be mistaken for:

* insect bites* jock itch* abrasions* razor burn* yeast infections* hemorrhoids* ingrown hair follicles

You will find a lot of ailments and STDs which are often confused together with herpes. Click below for details.

Might any of these symptoms occur, consult your doctor or other healthcare provider right away. Genital herpes should be diagnosed in addition to handled professionally. Positive Singles Free STD Online Dating.