Signs of Genital Herpes Outbreaks
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease. It is very common–about 50 million Americans have genital herpes. It is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two types of herpes simplex viruses that can cause herpes. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) primarily causes oral herpes (cold sores). Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) primarily causes genital herpes.
Ordinarily HSV-1 causes most of the oral herpes cases and HSV-2 causes most of the genital herpes cases, either of these viruses can cause either oral herpes, or genital herpes.
Once a person gets genital herpes, it stays in his/her body for life.
What occurs if and when someone has an outbreak of the genital herpes virus?
With reoccuring genital herpes, symptoms can come and go. When symptoms appear from time to time, it is called a “herpes outbreak.” Between outbreaks, when the virus is not present on the skin surface, the herpes virus is inactive and when reactivated, it travels to the skin in the genital area. An outbreak usually begins with a warning signal. Then, redness, bumps, and blisters may appear. The blisters can burst open and cause sores. There may be just one skin blister or several of them.
What is a sign of a coming herpes outbreak?
A sign is the first stage of an outbreak when you feel symptoms such as pain, unusual burning, itching, tingling, or tenderness. Remember, this is the time to start treatment if you are treating with medication.
