Genital herpes symptoms
The nature of viruses in general is that they don’t show any symptoms until it’s too late. Some people with HSV infection may not show any symptoms for many weeks to months. Appearance of blisters is called an outbreak. As long as the virus is present in the body, episodes of outbreak can be expected. In people who show symptoms, the first outbreak may be expected in an average time of 4 days. If you have had unprotected sex with an unfamiliar person and waiting for symptoms to show up, you can wait ideally for 14 days to see something, if you are infected. (We don’t recommend waiting that long ideally; if you are worried about HIV infection, HIV can be prevented within 72 hours after having unprotected sex. Check out the Post Exposure Protocol to prevent HIV article to know more.)
Genital herpes symptoms in men
Blisters around penis, on the scrotum, around the anus and on the buttocks.
Genital herpes symptoms in women
Blisters around the vagina, anus and on the buttocks
Other general symptoms of Genital herpes infection include:
- Blisters may form around the mouth or on the face, if the contact made with the infected area was with the mouth. Blisters may develop around the penis or vagina too. Before the blisters develop, the area may feel itchy. Note – If you shaved your private area before your sexual encounter, it is common that you will have an itch in the area when new hair starts growing. You may want to wait if the actual blisters show up to confirm the infection.
- Blisters may pop and ooze fluids.
- Swollen lymph nodes is another common symptom
- Some may experience headaches, body pains and fever.
Once any kind of viral infection takes over the body, fever and swelling of lymph nodes is a very common symptom. Virus keeps multiplying inside the body very rapidly after finding a new host and when the infection reaches the lymph nodes, more white blood cells rush to fight the infection. The lymph nodes swell during the process.
Herpes infection during pregnancy
Herpes infection during pregnancy can be very bad for the baby. It can lead to blindness, brain damage or even death of the baby. It may sound like fun to have unprotected sex during pregnancy but you may want to think over it when doing it with someone else other than your regular partner.