Herpes is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus that produces blisters and sores almost anywhere on or inside the body. The American Social Health Association reports that up to 90 percent of people with herpes have no idea they are infected. Knowing the warning signs of herpes can help you protect yourself and others from the disease.
Blisters on the Skin
Herpes blisters are commonly confused with pimples, ingrown hairs, jock itch, abrasions or other kinds of skin problems. With herpes, according to a 2008 report in the "Archives of Internal Medicine," careful inspection reveals clusters of painful, 1mm to 2mm blisters filled with clear or cloudy yellow fluid that feature a central depression sometimes compared to a belly button. Sometimes, multiple blisters coalesce to produce a single large blister. Herpes blisters rupture-often spontaneously-three or four days after they appear and give way to itchy, granular yellow scabs which are called "crusts."
Sores inside the Body
Herpes also produces sores inside the body, sometimes in places where they are not easily visualized. According to Dr. Lawrence Corey in "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine," sores present as superficial erosions with sharply defined borders, commonly called "punch-out" lesions. For oral herpes, sores are easy to spot and may appear on the tonsils, back of the throat, soft and hard palates, gums, lining of the cheeks and the tongue. For genital herpes, sores may develop inside the vagina, uterine cervix, fallopian tubes, urethra, anus or rectum where they cannot be seen, except by a health care professional. Warning signs of internal genital herpes sores include abnormal discharge and problems with intercourse, urination or bowel movements.
Flu-Like Illness
According to the report in the "Archives of Internal Medicine," herpes outbreaks are frequently associated with a flu-like illness which begins on or shortly before the appearance of lesions. Common complaints include low-grade fever, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain, poor appetite and swollen lymph nodes. Flu-like illness in the absence of characteristic respiratory symptoms of flu such as cough or runny nose may be a warning sign of herpes.
References
- American Social Health Association: Learn About Herpes - Oral Herpes
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th edition;" A.S. Fauci, E. Braunwald, D.L. Kasper, S.L. Hauser, D.L. Longer, J.L. Jameson and J. Loscalzo (Eds.); 2008
- "Archives of Internal Medicine;" The Treatment of Herpes Simples: An Evidence-Based Review; C. Cernik, K. Gallina, and R.T. Brodell; June 2008
