Do you have these Symptoms of Herpes?

Are you worried that you have some Symptoms of Herpes? Are you getting strange sensations or strange blisters around your mouth or genital areas? Well, you just might have herpes.

Take a deep breath. It's not the end of the world. But you do need to take these symptoms/signs of herpes seriously. 

There's lots of things you can do. Reading through and looking at some of these pictures can give you a good idea if you have Herpes Symptoms.

But the best thing to do is quite simple. Go and get a herpes blood test. That way you will know for sure. 

STDcheck.com offers affordable convenient testing in most cities. They are very affordable and they will give you a good answer. You owe it to yourself and your partner. You can also speak to a real doctor immediately AND  order prescriptions like Valtrex online at HealthTap.com.

Early Symptoms Herpes

The symptoms of herpes can start out early and can be tricky to identify. The first outbreak of herpes can be the most difficult one. You might not notice you even have herpes, mistaking it for something like jock itch, sunburn, or an insect bite.

Usually the very first outbreak will occur within two weeks of exposure. This exposure can come orally in case of cold sores, or sexually in case of genital herpes.

The early symptoms of herpes are generalized. You might get one or more of the following symptoms:

• decreased appetite
• severe fever
• flu-like symptoms
• general feeling of malaise/sadness
• muscle aches
• extremely swollen glands around the body

These symptoms of herpes are followed by the local herpes symptoms. This starts with a redness or itchiness in the skin. It could also feel like a tingling or a burning sensation. This is called Prodrome. You are STILL CONTAGIOUS AT THIS TIME.

For me, I used to get cold sores (oral herpes) a lot when younger. Now I just get genital herpes. It begins with a tingling of skin in my genital area. Within a day that area is red and itchy. Then I know I have an outbreak coming on.

I will double up on my suppressive medication (Acyclovir) when I feel this in my body.

Herpes Outbreak Symptoms

After the early symptoms of herpes has passed, you will usually get outbreaks of varying intensity.

The herpes outbreak symptoms will come after the Early Symptoms of Herpes.

The skin area that was itchy and uncomfortable will break out in small blisters.

It is very uncomfortable. Especially if this is your first outbreak. The blisters will either appear on the lips (cold sores) or around the genital area (genital herpes symptoms). The blisters will have many little bubbles filled with a kind of pus. I recommend not scratching or touching them. They are very contagious and infectious at this point.

You might get one or two blisters or you might get many, many blisters covering a wide area of skin. The size of herpes blisters can vary based on the person.

You've seen a cold sore before, right? Well that's what a herpes outbreak looks like in the genital area also.

Herpies Symptoms and Signs

(These sores are a sign of herpes.)

In the beginning, many people don't realize they have herpes symptoms and signs. Maybe it's because they don't want to face the reality of having an STD.

They think "There's no way that could happen to me". Or they might think they have:

• ingrown hair
• jock itch
• yeast infections
• hemorrhoids
• insect bites

But usually after an outbreak or two, it gets more and more obvious that you have the symptoms and signs of herpes.

The big obvious clue that you have herpes is the blister outbreaks either on your lips or around the genital area. They can be quite painful and uncomfortable.

If you have any strange symptoms on the skin that you think could be herpes, then be sure to make an appointment with a doctor... preferably a dermatologist or gynecologist as soon as possible.

Oral Herpes Symptoms

Oral Herpes or Cold Sores is a common infection affecting the lip and mouth area. It is caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV 1) that manifests as blisters or lesions around the oral region. 

It can be tricky to tell if you (or your partner) might be experiencing these symptoms of herpes because the oral herpes sores can look very similar to canker sores.

Know what to expect when you have the infection and what to do to prevent acquiring or spreading the infection.

Female Symptoms Herpes

The female symptoms of herpes can be difficult to detect. In fact, over 60% of women with their first symptoms of herpes will not realize they have female genital herpes. This is a big reason why it is being transmitted so readily.

It takes 2-20 days after the first skin to skin contact with an infected partner for a woman's first outbreak of genital herpes.

The first female symptoms of herpes is red sensitive skin in and around the genital area. There can be irritation and soreness in the vagina itself which makes for irritable urination and/or sex.

Most of the women I have met say they thought they were having a severe yeast infection.

Then small lesions or blisters will start to break out in these areas. Women often mistake these for boils, yeast infection, or pelvic inflammatory disease.

This first outbreak can last for an average of three weeks.

Male Herpes Symptoms

The male herpes symptoms will start to appear 2-20 days after skin to skin contact with an infected partner. Yes, it can happen that fast.

I can't remember who exactly I got my male genital herpes from, it was somewhere in the last year of college. But I can reduce it down to about two girls when thinking about this 2-20 days.

The symptoms of male herpes begins with red irritated skin either on the penis, the genital area, the scrotum, or around the anus. The skin will feel very itchy and bothersome like a rash.

A few days later, lesions (small blisters) with numerous liquid filled bubbles will appear on the same areas. This initial outbreak can be quite intense and painful. It was for me.

You might also be accompanied by pain, fever, chills, muscle ache, and fatigue. In other words, you'll feel like crap.

Herpes Symptoms in Men

If you're a man, it can be difficult to distinguish herpes symptoms. Here's a listing of the common Herpes Symptoms in Men. You can learn what to look for as signs and symptoms of herpes in you (or your partner).

Herpes Symptoms Pictures

These are some images of herpes symptoms pictures. These are the red lesions that characterize herpes. Outbreaks can vary from less or more than these. It depends on the person.

WARNING: THESE HERPES PICTURES ARE GRAPHIC!!

Herpes in Mouth Symptoms

Herpes in mouth symptoms are very similar to genital herpes symptoms. That is no surprise since they are very similar viruses. The most common symptom of herpes in the mouth are cold sores.

Herpes in the mouth is also called oral herpes (HSV-I). It is estimated that over 80% of the American population have oral herpes, even though they may not be regularly breaking out in cold sores.

The first signs of herpes in the mouth could be a fever, very similar to a cold. This is the primary stage of infection. Then an itching, irritation, or burning sensation will occur around the mouth (usually on or around the lips). Then small blisters will appear which will then scab over and turn into small scabs (the most often sign of cold sores).

Important!!! If the cold sores are appearing inside the mouth on soft tissue like the tongue or the gums, then this is most likely a CANKER SORE not a COLD SORE.

Genital Herpes Symptoms

Genital Herpes is a common sexually-transmitted disease caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus. It causes painful blisters to appear on the genitals and the surrounding areas.

If you've discovered something weird happening "down there" in your body (or your partner's), then chances are it might be genital herpes. 

It is important to understand and know the different signs and symptoms that may be associated with genital herpes. 

Signs of Genital Herpes

Genital herpes signs can be tricky to figure out. Some people mistake them as boils, razor cuts, a yeast infection, or jock itch. But these pimple-like sores are the hallmarks of a genital herpes outbreak. 

Know what to expect when you notice these signs of genital herpes on you (or your partner). And find out what action steps to take to manage the herpes infection effectively.

Herpes Zoster Virus Symptoms (HZV)

Think you have herpes symptoms that do not fall under Genital or Oral Herpes? Here's some information about the Herpes Zoster Virus (HZV). A type of virus from the same herpes family of viruses that causes Shingles: an infection with similar signs and symptoms as herpes.

Ocular Herpes Symptoms

Ocular Herpes Symptoms typically occur around the eye. The symptoms are many and this is a difficult and painful form of herpes. It can enter the body through the nose, mouth or eyes by exposure to an infected person.

The ocular herpes symptoms are swelling around the eyes, tearing, recurrent eye infections, light sensitivity, eye sores, and ultimately cold sores on the eyeball.

This form of herpes can be very difficult to live with. So it is important that when you do have a herpes outbreak, you keep your hands away from the cold sore or genital herpes sores. Most especially KEEP YOUR HANDS AWAY FROM YOUR EYES AND NOSE.

Herpes Whitlow

This condition is characterized as a manifestation of the herpes virus on the fingers, thumbs, and sometimes on the toes. It is highly contagious and is transmitted by direct contact. The lesions appear as red swollen bumps accompanied by pain and tingling sensations. Know what you can do about this infection as well as how to prevent further outbreak and/or transmission.

What should you do if you have these symptoms of Herpes?

To conclude, there are many different symptoms of herpes. The above mentioned symptoms are those of moderate to severe herpes cases, but mild cases of herpes are also prevalent and can go unnoticed.

The tricky thing about genital herpes symptoms is that they are often hard to notice in the beginning. You might think that you have something else like:

• Insect bites
• Jock itch
• Abrasions or razor burn
• Yeast infections
• Hemorrhoids
• Ingrown hair follicles

That's why my number one bit of advice is...

Speak to a Doctor!!!!! Either in person or even online at Healthtap.com.

If you are reading this and think you have herpes, you should go do the following things:

1. Go see a Doctor.  A doctor can give you a proper diagnosis. Your family doctor can give you a test to help diagnose the type of herpes that you have. Better yet, go see a dermatologist (skin doctor) or a gynecologist (especially if you think you have Genital Herpes).

2. Go get a Herpes Blood Test. A blood test for herpes will give you a 99% correct diagnosis whether you have HSV-1 (Oral Herpes) or HSV-2 (Genital Herpes). These tests work best 10-12 weeks or more after first exposure to the virus.

3. Tell your partner. Your sexual partner has the right to know if you suspect you have Herpes. I have written some nice tips on how to tell your partner that you might find useful.

4. Consider getting your partner tested. There's a good chance that your current partner has given you herpes so if you get tested you should suggest your partner to get tested also. 

5. Begin considering some treatment options. There are many herpes products and treatments that you can use to learn more about treating and healing your suspected herpes.

6. If you've been tested for herpes, learn more about how to live with it. I have written a course, The Herpes Survival Guide, on herpes that covers many things about living with the virus such as:

• Dating with herpes
• Telling your partner/family
• How to find a support group

Educating yourself will help a lot on how to live/deal with the herpes virus. You'll learn its not such a big deal. Hang in there! Life will go on even if you do have herpes.

You'll just have to make some changes in your lifestyle, that's all.

It's not going to kill you. And you will still be able to love and have sex.

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