
Herpes is a type of infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It causes sores or blisters to form in or around the mouth or genitals.
There are two types of HSV:
- HSV-1 causes oral herpes, which usually affects the mouth and surrounding skin.
- HSV-2 causes genital herpes, which is usually sexually transmitted. Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that any sexually active person can get. Most people with the virus don’t have symptoms. Even without signs of the disease, herpes can still spread to sex partners.
Oral herpes caused by HSV-1 can spread from the mouth to the genitals through oral sex. Hence, some cases of genital herpes are caused by HSV-1.
Most of the time, there are no symptoms, and lots of people don’t know they have herpes. Oral herpes in fact is less painful than genital herpes and doesn’t make a person feel as sick. Herpes symptoms may be more painful and last longer in people with illnesses that damage your immune system such as blood cancer and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Symptoms and signs of oral herpes include:
- Cold sores or fever blisters: These are sores on the lips or around the mouth. These sores last a few weeks and then go away on their own. They can again pop up in weeks, months, or years. They are usually harmless in kids and adults but may be dangerous for newborn babies. Sometimes, these sores may also be found inside the mouth in the initial few days of the symptoms.
Symptoms and signs of genital herpes include:
- The most common symptoms of genital herpes are a group of itchy or painful blisters on the vagina, vulva, cervix, penis, butt, anus, or inside of the thighs. These blisters break and turn into sores.
- Burning sensation during urinating
- Trouble urinating because the sores and swelling are blocking the urethra
- Flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, generalized weakness, tiredness, and headache
- Abnormal bleeding between periods
- A smelly genital discharge
What is a genital herpes outbreak?
The first outbreak or “first episode” or “initial herpes” is the condition when blisters and other genital herpes symptoms show up. It usually starts about 2-20 days after a person gets infected with herpes. Sometimes, it may take a year for the outbreak to happen. The first herpes outbreak lasts about two to four weeks. Although the blisters go away, the virus stays in the body and can cause sores again. It’s common to get repeat outbreaks, especially during the first year of herpes. Patients might notice some warning signs a few hours or days before outbreaks flare-up. The first symptoms of herpes outbreak are worst and painful. Repeat outbreaks are usually shorter and less painful, and eventually, these outbreaks become negligible.
Can herpes be cured?
There is no cure for herpes. However, there are medicines that can prevent or shorten outbreaks. One of these anti-herpes medicines such as Valacyclovir can be taken daily, which can reduce the spread of infection. Suppressive therapy can provide coverage for individuals who have frequent outbreaks. During therapy, an individual with frequent outbreaks takes a small dose of anti-herpes medication every day. It has been proven that suppressive therapy can reduce the number of outbreaks by over 90%. Patients have taken suppressive therapy for long periods of time, but in most cases, patients can be weaned from it.
Herpes symptoms may be relieved by the below methods:
- Taking a warm bath or bathing in lightly salted water or soaking in a warm sitz bath
- Keeping the genital area dry (moisture makes the sores last longer)
- Wearing soft, loose clothes
- Putting an ice pack on the sores
- Applying petroleum jelly to the affected areas
- Taking a pain reliever such as aspirin, Advil and Motrin (ibuprofen), or Tylenol (acetaminophen)
- Applying a cream or lotion to the urethra before urinating, such as one that contains lidocaine
How can herpes be prevented?
Preventive methods of herpes include:
- Avoiding sex while symptoms are present
- Washing the hands thoroughly, especially after touching the affected area, during an outbreak
- Using protection such as condoms when having sex
- Avoiding kissing and oral sex when there is a cold sore around the mouth
- Sunburns, injuries to the lips, or other infections can cause oral herpes flare-ups, so avoiding getting sunburned may prevent oral herpes.

SLIDESHOW
The 14 Most Common Causes of Fatigue See SlideshowOral & Genital Herpes: (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/stds-hiv-safer-sex/herpes)
Top What Are the Symptoms and Signs of Herpes? Related Articles
5 Things You Should Know About Herpes
Most people who have genital herpes have no symptoms or have very mild symptoms. Patients may not notice mild symptoms or may mistake them for another skin condition, such as a pimple or ingrown hair.Are Cold Sores the Same as Herpes?
What is the difference between cold sores and herpes? Cold sores are painful, unsightly sores that usually pop up around your mouth. Certain medications, home care and alternative therapies may help you get rid of cold sores fast.Can Genital Warts Be Mistaken for Herpes?
What is the Difference between genital warts and herpes, and, can genital warts be mistaken for herpes?Can I Get HIV From Surfaces?
Studies proved that HIV cannot be transmitted through surfaces such as toilet seats, chairs, doorknobs, drinking glasses and bedsheets. The virus cannot survive outside a human host; hence, transmission through air, water (swimming pools), insect bite or casual contacts such as handshake, hug or touch is not possible.Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Genital Herpes
What's going on down there? WebMD shows you pictures of genital herpes symptoms and treatments -- and how to avoid getting the virus in the first place.What Is Genital Herpes in Women?
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Symptoms of genital herpes include painful blisters and often fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes for the first outbreak. Genital herpes is diagnosed with lab tests to test for the presence of the virus. Treatment for genital herpes includes antiviral medications to shorten the duration of the outbreak or reduce the risk of future outbreaks. There is no cure for genital herpes. Condoms may help prevent the spread of genital herpes.Genital Herpes Quiz
What is genital herpes? Learn the causes, symptoms in men and women, and treatments for this common sexually transmitted skin disease.Eye Herpes (Ocular Herpes)
Herpes of the eye occurs due to herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). Symptoms of herpes of the eye include pain in and around the eye, rash or sores on the eyelids, redness, swelling, and cloudiness of the cornea.Herpes Simplex Virus Type Picture 1
A herpes virus that causes cold sores and fever blisters in and around the mouth. See a picture of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and learn more about the health topic.Is It Possible to Cure Herpes?
Most of us will likely have to deal with herpes at some point. Learn more about herpes and what you can do to treat it. Genital herpes is a type of sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV2) which causes lesions in the genital area. Learn how it spreads, symptoms, prevention, and how it can be treated.What Do Herpes Sores Look Like at Different Stages?
Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) are the two types of herpes virus and will look different as they develop during five stages.What Triggers Herpes?
Once a person is infected with herpes, the virus may stay dormant or quiet within the nerves. It is not known what exactly may trigger the symptoms.