Learn about Herpes, genital symptoms from Consumer Reports Health.

Herpes, genital

What are the symptoms of genital herpes?

Many people with genital herpes have no symptoms. Others get outbreaks of painful spots, sores or blisters around their genitals. Up to 8 in 10 people with genital herpes don't know they have it.

Most of the time, you carry the herpes virus harmlessly inside your body. But from time to time, the virus is activated. This means:

You become infectious during sex, because the virus is breeding in and around your genitals
You may get symptoms.

Symptoms are different for different people. You may get one or more of the following symptoms.

Source:
New Zealand Herpes Foundation.
Patient information: recognising genital herpes.
Available at http://www.herpes.org.nz (accessed on 23 May 2008).

Itching, tingling, pain or burning around your genitals
Painful blisters or ulcers on or around your genitals
Painful blisters or ulcers on your thighs or buttocks
Itchy red patches or cracks in and around your genitals
Enlarged

lymph nodes
Lymph nodes (also called glands) are small, bean-shaped lumps that you cannot usually see or easily feel. They are located in various parts of the body, such as the neck, armpit and groin. Lymph nodes filter the lymph fluid and remove unusual things, such as bacteria and cancer cells.

lymph nodes in your groin.

If you're a woman you also may have difficulty urinating.

It's difficult to say how genital herpes will affect you. You may have an annoying itch that won't go away. Or some areas of your skin may be sore when you move. Some people get lots of painful blisters all over their genitals and buttocks.

Source:
Donovan B.
Sexually transmitted infections other than HIV.
Lancet. 2004; 363: 545-556.

Your ulcers, blisters or cracks will get better on their own within two or three weeks, but they can be very painful, especially during your first attack. Some people also get a mild fever or headache the first time they have an attack of genital herpes.

Source:
Kimberlin DW, Rouse DJ.
Genital herpes.
New England Journal of Medicine. 2004; 350: 1970-1977.

Once you've had one attack of symptoms, you're likely to have at least one more. But it will be milder than the first, and you'll get better faster. You'll get fewer attacks over time.

Source:
British Association of Sexual Health and HIV.
2007 National guideline for the management of genital herpes.
Available at http://www.library.nhs.uk/GuidelinesFinder (accessed on 23 May 2008).

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We don't know why some people's symptoms are worse than others. And we don't know what triggers them.

In general, you are most infectious when you have symptoms on or around your genitals.

The biggest problem with genital herpes is the way it makes people feel about themselves. You may feel shocked, depressed, anxious, embarrassed or guilty. Being told you have genital herpes can even stop you from wanting to go out with friends, see your partner or go to work or school. Lots of people feel angry. Your doctor can help you with these feelings.

Source:
Donovan B.
Sexually transmitted infections other than HIV.
Lancet. 2004; 363: 545-556.

Source:
Kimberlin DW, Rouse DJ.
Genital herpes.
New England Journal of Medicine. 2004; 350: 1970-1977.

Sources for the information on this page:

New Zealand Herpes Foundation.Patient information: recognising genital herpes.Available at http://www.herpes.org.nz (accessed on 23 May 2008).

Donovan B.Sexually transmitted infections other than HIV.Lancet. 2004; 363: 545-556.

Kimberlin DW, Rouse DJ.Genital herpes.New England Journal of Medicine. 2004; 350: 1970-1977.

British Association of Sexual Health and HIV.2007 National guideline for the management of genital herpes.Available at http://www.library.nhs.uk/GuidelinesFinder (accessed on 23 May 2008).

This information was last updated on Jun 08, 2008

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
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