It is important for people to know the
information on the signs of herpes at the early stage. Some of the signs and
symptoms of oral herpes are cold sores around the mouth, the nose area or facial
region, sores inside the mouth or on the tongue. Some of the signs and symptoms
of genital herpes are a rash, cold sores, a bump or a lump. Herpes could also
cause muscle pain, cramps, burning, itching or tingling feeling. The signs and
symptoms of herpes varies from person to person.
Here is the detail information on what herpes
look like.
A Cold Sore:
Before a cold sore appears the area will
sometimes tingle,feel slightly raised and may appear red and inflamed.This pain
or tingling sensation is called the prodrome and typically occurs 1 to 2 days
before the cold sore apprears.
A cold sore generally apprears as a small,
fluid-filled blister which goes through a cycle of phases. The blister will
usually weep and form a scab or 'crusting' before healing and disappreaing
completely. The duration of a typical cold sore outbreak may last from 8 to 12
days.
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| Stages of code sore |
Genital Herpes:
One or more of the following symptoms may be
experienced if the infection is located in the genital area:
1. Muscle aches or pains near to the area.
2. A lister, cut,tear, sore,bump or rash in the infected area
3. Itching,tingling,or burning sensations.
4. Vaginal or penile discharge.
5. Burning and/or pain when urinating
6. Flu-like symptoms such as headache,fever and swollen glands.
2. A lister, cut,tear, sore,bump or rash in the infected area
3. Itching,tingling,or burning sensations.
4. Vaginal or penile discharge.
5. Burning and/or pain when urinating
6. Flu-like symptoms such as headache,fever and swollen glands.
Time before any symptoms
show
Herpes Incubation Period.
The hepres virus can lay dormant for various
time periods and may be in your system for a time period before any symptoms
begin to show. The usual incubation period of the virus is appoximately two to
twelve days after the first exposure to the virus.
However, there are many possibilities. Some
people never experience active symptoms and others may not experience a
recognizable outbreak for several months or even years after exposure.
Recurring Symptoms
What is an outbreak or episode ?
Most of the time when herpes symptoms are not
present on the skin the virus remains in a latent state in the central nervous
system,where it does no damage. When the virus reactivates it travels nerve
paths to the surface of the skin,sometimes causing what is known as an
'outbreak' or episode of symptoms.
When and where can outbreaks reoccur
?
The first outbreak is normally the worst and
many people do not experience a recurrence until months and sometimes even years
after their first primary outbreak.
If and when a recurrence does happen it is
sometimes related to a time when the immune system is weakened or under
pressure, such as after an illness, during times of stress, due to a poor
lifestyle,surgery,etc. In the case of cold sores,sometimes being in the sun can
cause a recurrence. It is different for everyone.
During the body's first exposure to the herpes
virus, the immune system develops antibodies and other weapons against the
virus. During a recurrence, then, this 'immune memory' can hep to fight off
infection more quickly.
As a result, as time goes on there are usually
fewer sores, they heal fater, and the outbreak is less painful. Some people
never experience another recurrence, which is often attibuted to a strong immune
system response.
Nerves can have many 'axons' which is why the
herpes virus can travel different pathways to your skin. This is why outbreaks
may naturally appear in differnet areas 'nearby' to one another.
However, each nerve has particular area of skin that it serves called a dermatome. The herpes lesions are limited to the dermatome it initially infected unless you infect yourself somewhere else.
The nerves in the genitals,upper thighs and
buttocks are connected. Therefore, in the case of genital herpes a person could
experience outbreaks in any of these areas. Such areas include the vagina,vulva,
penis, scrotum,anus,buttocks and thigh.
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| Herpes around the mouth |
What should you do if you think you have
herpes ?
If you have noticed something different don't
delay.
If you suspect that you have herpes and have not
had your condition diagnosed it is important that you visit your health care
provider as soon as possible for a professional analysis.
Genital herpes can be mistaken for many
different conditions and should always be diagnosed professionally.
You need to take medicine as needed and living
healthy reduce the chance of getting a herpes outbreak.
