Symptoms of Herpes

The symptoms of herpes can be embarrassing and difficult to handle.   However, with a little understanding and self care, outbreaks can be minimized or possibly eliminated.The symptoms of herpes can be best understood through an explanation of the stages of herpes and what happens during a herpes outbreak.

Vaginal herpes is most often - almost always - transmitted through sexual activity.After you have contracted HSV2, it can lie dormant in the ganglia at the base of your spine for months or even years. Some people never experience the symptoms of herpes.When the HSV2 is dormant in your body, it is undetectable by your immune system and is thus impossible to ever completely eliminate.  There is no cure for genital herpes.

After the virus is activated (and no one is exactly sure what activates the symtoms of genital herpes; possible suggestions are unresolved anger, high levels of stress, exposure to ultraviolet light, decreased immunity) the virus is triggered, traveling along nerve paths in your genital area and starts the process of what may be a full herpes outbreak.

Almost immediately, your body will detect the herpes virus and begin to fight it.This reaction is similar to the fighting of any virus where the body will experience possible swollen lymph nodes, fever, headaches, or body aches.   Often (with a little boost) your immunity can abort the attack or the severity of the herpes outbreak can be decreased.   Suggested immune boosters would be Vitamin C, zinc, reishi mushroom, panax ginseng, and/or beta glucan.

Should the virus develop into a full herpes outbreak, you can expect a single sore or lesion, or a small cluster of bumps, a rash, or any combination of the described.Many people report significant variations in both the severity and duration of [herpes outbreaks.The symptoms of slight burning and intense itching for several days have been reported as very common. A comprehensive list of what to expect during an outbreak can be found at: Herpes Outbreaks.

As the outbreak starts to heal you will feel a lessening in symptoms (swelling, pain, redness) and a crust may form over the sore or outbreak to protect the new skin forming underneath.It is vital that you not interfere with the healing outbreak in any way; it must heal alone.It is most common for the symptoms of herpes to leave no effects of scarring or pain after complete healing has occurred.

For everything you could need to know about genital herpes, please visit The Herpes Blog.