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Diseases » Genital herpes » Symptoms

Symptoms of Genital herpes



Contents

Symptoms of Genital herpes: Introduction

Most people are not aware initially of a genital herpes infection. The first "outbreak" or episode of symptoms usually occurs within two weeks of exposure to a herpes simplex virus that causes genital herpes. The severity and types of symptoms of genital herpes vary from person to person. During a first outbreak of genital herpes, symptoms can involve the whole body as well as the genital area. Typical symptoms of a first episode include fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and decreased appetite, in addition to blisters that erupt on the genitalia and anus. These blisters can also develop on the inner thighs and on a woman's cervix. The blisters eventually break open leaving sores (ulcers) that may take several weeks to heal. A herpes simplex virus can remain in the body indefinitely for long periods without symptoms. Symptoms can, however, reappear at any time. Fatigue, mechanical irritation to the genitalia, menstruation, and/or stress can trigger an episode of symptoms.

If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of or have been exposed to genital herpes, it is important to visit a primary care provider so that your symptoms can be assessed within the context of a full medical evaluation. A variety of assessments and possibly tests are generally done to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as pilonydal cysts, skin boils that develop in the crease of the buttocks.

Symptoms of Genital herpes

The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Genital herpes includes the 27 symptoms listed below:

Research symptoms & diagnosis of Genital herpes:

Genital herpes: Complications

Review medical complications possibly associated with Genital herpes:

  • Mother-infant transmission (see Birth symptoms) - a fetus can catch herpes and the baby is born with herpes. The risk is greatest if the mother's first outbreak was during pregnancy. Later outbreaks still pose some risk to the fetus.
  • Neonatal HSV infection (type of Herpes)
  • Premature birth - a fetus with herpes is often delivered early.
  • Neonatal complications (see Birth symptoms) - a newborn may have various health problems.
  • more complications...»

Research More About Genital herpes

Do I have Genital herpes?

Genital herpes: Medical Mistakes

Genital herpes: Undiagnosed Conditions

Diseases that may be commonly undiagnosed in related medical areas:

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical tests related to Genital herpes:

Wrongly Diagnosed with Genital herpes?

The list of other diseases or medical conditions that may be on the differential diagnosis list of alternative diagnoses for Genital herpes includes:

See the full list of 32 alternative diagnoses for Genital herpes

More about symptoms of Genital herpes:

More information about symptoms of Genital herpes and related conditions:

Other Possible Causes of these Symptoms

Click on any of the symptoms below to see a full list of other causes including diseases, medical conditions, toxins, drug interactions, or drug side effect causes of that symptom.

Medical Books Online about Genital herpes

Medical Books Excerpts Excerpts of published medical book chapters related to Genital herpes are available from published medical books for more detailed information about Genital herpes.

Medical Books Excerpts

Herpes simplex

  • "Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)" (2005)

Genital herpes

  • "Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition)" (2005)

Herpes simplex

  • "Handbook of Diseases" (2003)

Adjust the vaccine schedules forchildren who receive chemotherapy, particularly for live virus vaccines

  • "Avoiding Common Pediatric Errors" (2008)

Use every episode of care with adolescent patients to assure genital health

  • "Avoiding Common Pediatric Errors" (2008)

Herpes Simplex Virus

  • "The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult" (2008)

Smallpox (Variola Virus)

  • "The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult" (2008)

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

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Symptoms of Genital herpes: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the symptoms of Genital herpes.


Herpes simplex: Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

In neonates, HVH symptoms usually appear 1 to 2 weeks after birth. They range from localized skin lesions to a disseminated infection of organs, such as the liver, lungs, or brain. Common complications include seizures, mental retardation, blindness, chorioretinitis, deafness, microcephaly, diabetes insipidus, and spasticity. Up to 90% of infants with disseminated disease die.

Primary infection in childhood may be localized or generalized and occurs after an incubation period of 2 to 12 days. After brief prodromal tingling and itching, localized infection causes typical primary lesions. These erupt as vesicles on an erythematous base, eventually rupture and leave a painful ulcer, followed by a yellowish crust. Vesicles may form on any part of the oral mucosa, especially the tongue, gingiva, and cheeks. Healing begins 7 to 10 days after onset and is complete in 3 weeks.

Generalized infection begins with fever, pharyngitis, erythema, and edema. Vesicles occur with submaxillary lymphadenopathy, increased salivation, halitosis, anorexia, and a fever of up to 105° F (40.6° C). Herpetic stomatitis may lead to severe dehydration in children. A generalized infection usually runs its course in 4 to 10 days. In this form, virus reactivation causes cold sores — a single or group of vesicles in and around the mouth.

Genital herpes usually affects adolescents and young adults. Typically painful, the initial attack produces fluid-filled vesicles that ulcerate and heal in 1 to 3 weeks. Fever, regional lymphadenopathy, and dysuria may also occur.

Usually, herpetic keratoconjunctivitis is unilateral and causes only local signs and symptoms: conjunctivitis, regional adenopathy, blepharitis, and vesicles on the lid. Other ocular effects may include excessive lacrimation, edema, chemosis, photophobia, and purulent exudate.

Both types of HVH can cause acute sporadic encephalitis with altered level of consciousness, personality changes, and seizures. Other effects may include smell and taste hallucinations and neurologic abnormalities such as aphasia.

Herpetic whitlow, an HVH finger infection, affects many nurses. First the finger tingles and then it becomes red, swollen, and painful. Vesicles with a red halo erupt and may ulcerate or coalesce. Other effects may include satellite vesicles, fever, chills, malaise, and a red streak up the arm.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Genital herpes: Signs and symptoms
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

After a 3- to 7-day incubation period, fluid-filled vesicles appear, usually on the cervix (the primary infection site) and possibly on the labia, perianal skin, vulva, or vagina of the female and on the glans penis, foreskin, or penile shaft of the male. Extragenital lesions may appear on the mouth or anus. In both males and females, the vesicles, usually painless at first, will rupture and develop into extensive, shallow, painful ulcers, with redness, marked edema, tender inguinal lymph nodes, and the characteristic yellow, oozing centers.

Other features of initial mucocutaneous infection include fever, malaise, dysuria and, in females, leukorrhea. Rare complications (generally from extragenital lesions) include herpetic keratitis, which may lead to blindness, and potentially fatal herpetic encephalitis.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

Herpes simplex: Signs and symptoms
(Handbook of Diseases)

Primary infection in childhood may be generalized or localized.

In neonates, HVH symptoms usually appear 1 to 2 weeks after birth. They range from localized skin lesions to a disseminated infection of such organs as the liver, lungs, and brain. Common complications include seizures, mental retardation, blindness, chorioretinitis, deafness, microcephaly, diabetes insipidus, and spasticity. Neonates with disseminated disease have a high mortality.

Generalized infection

After an incubation period of 2 to 12 days, onset of generalized infection begins with fever, pharyngitis, erythema, and edema. After brief prodromal tingling and itching, typical primary lesions erupt as vesicles on an erythematous base, eventually rupturing and leaving a painful ulcer, followed by a yellowish crust. Healing begins 7 to 10 days after onset and is complete in 3 weeks.

Vesicles may form on any part of the oral mucosa, especially the tongue, gingiva, and cheeks. In generalized infection, vesicles occur with submaxillary lymphadenopathy, increased salivation, halitosis, anorexia, and a temperature as high as 105° F (40.6° C). Herpetic stomatitis may lead to severe dehydration in children.

A generalized infection usually runs its course in 4 to 10 days. In this form, virus reactivation causes cold sores — single or grouped vesicles in and around the mouth.

Localized infection

Genital herpes usually affects adolescents and young adults. Typically painful, the initial attack produces fluid-filled vesicles that ulcerate and heal in 1 to 3 weeks. Fever, regional lymphadenopathy, and dysuria may also occur.

Usually, herpetic keratoconjunctivitis is unilateral and causes only local symptoms, including conjunctivitis, regional adenopathy, blepharitis, and vesicles on the lid. Other ocular symptoms may be excessive lacrimation, edema, chemosis, photophobia, and purulent exudate.

Other signs and symptoms

Both types of HVH can cause acute sporadic encephalitis with an altered level of consciousness, personality changes, and seizures. Other effects include smell and taste hallucinations and neurologic abnormalities such as aphasia.

Herpetic whitlow, an HVH finger infection, commonly affects health care workers. First, the finger tingles and then it becomes red, swollen, and painful. Vesicles with a red halo erupt and may ulcerate or coalesce. Other effects may include satellite vesicles, fever, chills, malaise, and a red streak up the arm.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003

Herpes Simplex Virus: Herpes Simplex Virus - signs & symptoms
(The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult)

  • Neonatal infection:
    • HSV-2, the most common cause of neonatal infection, is usually acquired from maternal labial lesions, but a history of previous or current genital HSV infection is present in only 20–30% of mothers who deliver infected infants. HSV-2 can be transmitted to the infant without rupture of the amniotic membranes or after delivery by cesarean section:
    • HSV-1 can be transmitted to a neonate by any adult with active herpes labialis.
    • A vesicular rash or bullae are present at birth or within a few days in almost all infants.
    • Disseminated infection (32% of cases) involves the liver, lungs, adrenals, and sometimes the CNS.
    • Localized CNS infection (33% of cases) presents with irritability, bulging fontanelle, or seizures.
    • Localized skin, eye, or mouth infection (35% of cases) presents with rash alone, keratitis, or chorioretinitis.
  • Gingivostomatitis:
    • Fever and irritability precede the development of vesicular lesions on the lips, gingiva, and tongue. The vesicles then break down and become gray ulcers that are friable and bleed easily.
    • Children refuse to drink because of the mouth pain and are at risk of dehydration.
    • The child usually starts to improve in 3–5 days and recovers in 14 days.
    • Latent virus causes recurrent stomatitis or labiitis.
  • Encephalitis:
    • The illness begins with fever, malaise, and irritability that last 1–7 days and progress to mental status changes, seizures, and coma. Meningeal signs are not common.
    • Patients can develop hemiparesis, cranial nerve palsy, and visual field defects.
    • No presence of oral or genital lesions
    • It is the result of a primary infection in 30% of cases and recurrent in 70%.
  • Vulvovaginitis:
    • 35–50% of patients with the 1st episode of genital herpes will be able to give a history of genital HSV infection in their contact.
    • The primary illness is characterized by fever, headache, malaise, and myalgias. Local genital symptoms include severe pain, itching, dysuria, vaginal or urethral discharge, and tender inguinal adenopathy. The genital lesions begin as vesicles and progress to ulcers before they crust over. Lesions last for 2–3 weeks.
    • An aseptic meningitis syndrome occurs in 1–35% of cases. Patients will have fever, headache, meningismus, and photophobia.
    • Latent virus causes recurrent episodes, which are painful but less severe than in primary infections.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 2008

Smallpox (Variola Virus): Smallpox - signs & symptoms
(The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult)

  • Ordinary smallpox:
    • Incubation period of 7–17 days is followed by febrile prodrome lasting 1–4 days.
      • The prodrome is characterized by high fever, headache, back pain, chills, abdominal pain, and emesis.
    • Eruptive phase begins with lesions of the mouth, tongue and oropharynx.
    • Then the rash develops:
      • Often starts on face and spreads to rest of body within 24–48 hours.
      • On day 1 the rash is macular.
      • On day 2 the rash becomes papular.
      • On days 4–5 the rash is vesicular.
      • By day 7 the rash has become pustular.
      • By 2–3 weeks the scabs have formed.
      • Scabs fall off and leave scars.
  • Modified smallpox:
    • Milder than ordinary smallpox
    • Accelerated course
    • Lesions are not as deep.
  • Flat smallpox:
    • Characterized by a soft, flat, semiconfluent or confluent rash that does not progress to pustules
    • Can result in significant skin loss
  • Hemorrhagic smallpox:
    • Shorter incubation time.
    • Skin becomes dusky.
    • Bleeding occurs in the skin and mucous membranes.
    • Can be difficult to diagnose unless exposure to variola virus is known
  • Variola Sine Eruptione:
    • May be asymptomatic or cause a febrile influenzalike illness
    • Noncontagious
    • Seen in infants with protective maternal antibodies and in vaccinated individuals
  • If there has not been a release or circulation of smallpox the CDC Protocol for evaluating patients for smallpox can be used to guide the assessment of a suspicious rash illness.
  • CDC protocol for evaluating patients for smallpox:
    • If a patient has an acute, generalized rash on the body, with vesicles or pustules:
      • Use the major and minor criteria to assess the likelihood of smallpox.
    • Major criteria:
      • Febrile prodrome: 1–4 days prior to rash onset including a temperature ≥101°F and 1 or more of the following: Prostration, headache, backache, chills, vomiting or severe abdominal pain
      • Classic smallpox lesions: Deep-seated, firm/hard, round, well-circumscribed vesicles or pustules. Can become umbilicated or confluent as they evolve.
      • On any one part of the body (e.g., the face or arm) all the lesions are in the same stage of development.
    • Minor criteria:
      • Centrifugal distribution: Greatest concentration of lesions on face and extremities
      • 1st lesions appear on the oral mucosa, palate, face, or forearms.
      • Patient appears toxic or moribund.
      • Slow evolution: Lesions evolve from macules to papules to pustules over days (each stage lasts 1–2 days).
      • Lesions on the palms and soles
    • High risk of smallpox:
      • Febrile prodrome and classic smallpox lesions in same stage of development
    • Moderate risk of smallpox:
      • Febrile prodrome and 1 other major smallpox criterion
      • Or febrile prodrome and ≥4 minor smallpox criteria
    • Low risk of smallpox:
      • No febrile prodrome
      • Or febrile prodrome and <4 minor smallpox criteria
  • Online tool for evaluation risk of smallpox is available at http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/diagnosis/riskalgorithm/
>

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 2008

Article Excerpts About Symptoms of Genital herpes:

Genital Herpes: DSTD (Excerpt)

HSV-2 usually produces only mild symptoms or signs or no symptoms at all. However, HSV-2 can cause recurrent painful genital sores in many adults, and HSV-2 infection can be severe in people with suppressed immune systems. Regardless of severity of symptoms, genital herpes frequently causes psychological distress in people who know they are infected. (Source: excerpt from Genital Herpes: DSTD)

Genital Herpes: DSTD (Excerpt)

Most people infected with HSV-2 are not aware of their infection. However, if signs and symptoms occur during the first episode, they can be quite pronounced. The first episode usually occurs within two weeks after the virus is transmitted, and the sores typically heal within two to four weeks. Other signs and symptoms during the primary episode may include a second crop of sores, or flu-like symptoms, including fever and swollen glands. However, most individuals with HSV-2 infection may never have sores, or they may have very mild signs that they don't even notice or that they mistake for insect bites or a rash.

Most people diagnosed with a first episode of genital herpes can expect to have several symptomatic recurrences a year (typically four or five). These recurrences usually are most noticeable within the first year following the first episode. (Source: excerpt from Genital Herpes: DSTD)

Genital Herpes, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID (Excerpt)

Both HSV 1 and 2 can produce sores (also called lesions) in and around the vaginal area, on the penis, around the anal opening, and on the buttocks or thighs. Occasionally, sores also appear on other parts of the body where the virus has entered through broken skin. (Source: excerpt from Genital Herpes, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)

Genital Herpes, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID (Excerpt)

Unfortunately, most people who have genital herpes don’t know it because they never have any symptoms, or they do not recognize any symptoms they might have. When there are symptoms, they can be different in each person. Most often, when a person becomes infected with herpes for the first time, the symptoms will appear within two to 10 days. These first episodes of symptoms usually last two to three weeks.

Early symptoms of a genital herpes outbreak include:

  • itching or burning feeling in the genital or anal area.
  • pain in the legs, buttocks, or genital area.
  • discharge of fluid from the vagina.
  • feeling of pressure in the abdomen.
Within a few days, sores appear near where the virus has entered the body, such as on the mouth, penis, or vagina. They also can occur inside the vagina and on the cervix in women, or in the urinary passage of women and men. Small red bumps appear first, develop into blisters, and then become painful open sores. Over several days, the sores become crusty and then heal without leaving a scar. Some other symptoms that may go with the first episode of genital herpes are fever, headache, muscle aches, painful or difficult urination, vaginal discharge, and swollen glands in the groin area. (Source: excerpt from Genital Herpes, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)

Genital Herpes, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID (Excerpt)

If you have been infected by HSV 1 and/or 2, you will probably have symptoms or outbreaks from time to time. After the virus has finished being active, it then travels to the nerves at the end of the spine where it stays for a while. Even after the sores are gone, the virus stays inside the nerve cells in a still and hidden state, which means that it’s inactive.

In most people, the virus can become active several times a year. This is called a recurrence. But scientists do not yet know why this happens. When it becomes active again, it travels along the nerves to the skin, where it busies itself by making more viruses near the site of the very first infection. That is where new sores usually will appear.

Sometimes, the virus can become active but not cause any sores that can be seen. At these times, small amounts of the virus may be shed at or near places of the first infection, in fluids from the mouth, penis, or vagina, or from barely noticeable sores. You may not notice this shedding because it often does not cause any pain or feel uncomfortable. Even though you might not be aware of the shedding, you still can infect a sex partner during this time.

After the first outbreak, any future outbreaks are usually mild and last only about a week. An infected person may know that an outbreak is about to happen by feeling a tingling feeling or itching in the genital area, or pain in the buttocks or down the leg. For some people, these early symptoms can be the most painful and annoying part of an episode. Sometimes, only the tingling and itching are present and no visible sores develop. At other times, blisters appear that may be very small and barely noticeable, or they may break into open sores that crust over and then disappear.

The frequency and severity of the recurrent episodes vary greatly. While some people have only one or two outbreaks in a lifetime, others may have several outbreaks a year. The number and pattern of repeat outbreaks often change over time for a person. Scientists do not know what causes the virus to become active again. Although some people with herpes report that their outbreaks are brought on by another illness, stress, or having a menstrual period, outbreaks often are not predictable. In some cases, outbreaks may be connected to exposure to sunlight. (Source: excerpt from Genital Herpes, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)

Sexually Transmitted Diseases, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID (Excerpt)

The major symptoms of herpes infection are painful blisters or open sores in the genital area. These may be preceded by a tingling or burning sensation in the legs, buttocks, or genital region. The herpes sores usually disappear within two to three weeks, but the virus remains in the body for life and the lesions may recur from time to time. (Source: excerpt from Sexually Transmitted Diseases, NIAID Fact Sheet: NIAID)

Genital Herpes: NWHIC (Excerpt)

The symptoms of genital herpes vary widely from person to person. When symptoms of a first episode of genital herpes occur, they usually appear within 2 to 10 days of exposure to the virus and last an average of 2 to 3 weeks. The early symptoms can include an itching or burning sensation; pain in the legs, buttocks, or genital area; vaginal discharge; or a feeling of pressure in the abdominal region.

Within a few days, sores (also called lesions) appear at the site of infection. Lesions can also occur on the cervix in women or in the urinary passage in men. These small red bumps may develop into blisters or painful open sores. Over a period of days, the sores become crusted and then heal without scarring. Other symptoms that may accompany a primary episode of genital herpes can include fever, headache, muscle aches, painful or difficult urination, vaginal discharge, and swollen glands in the groin area. (Source: excerpt from Genital Herpes: NWHIC)

Genital herpes: Onset and Incubation

Incubation period for Genital herpes: 2-10 days after exposure

Incubation period for Genital herpes: The first episode usually occurs within two weeks after the virus is transmitted, and the sores typically heal within two to four weeks. (Source: excerpt from Genital Herpes: DSTD)

Medical articles and books on symptoms:

These general reference articles may be of interest in relation to medical signs and symptoms of disease in general:

Full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis

About signs and symptoms of Genital herpes:

The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some possible signs and symptoms of Genital herpes. This signs and symptoms information for Genital herpes has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of Genital herpes signs or Genital herpes symptoms. Furthermore, signs and symptoms of Genital herpes may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of any signs or symptoms and whether they are indeed Genital herpes symptoms.


 » Next page: Diagnostic Tests for Genital herpes

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