Flulike illness is a common complaint of people with herpes, according to Dr. Lawrence Corey in "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine." While it is possible to have the flu and herpes at the same time, more often these symptoms are simply part of a herpes outbreak. The absence of characteristic respiratory symptoms of flu such as dry, hacking cough strongly suggests an active episode of herpes.
Common Symptoms
Herpes outbreaks are frequently accompanied by systemic symptoms similar to flu such as fever, fatigue, headache, muscle and/or joint pain and poor appetite. Fever due to flu is usually greater than 102 degrees F, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, while fever associated with herpes is usually mild or even subjective--that is, the patient feels feverish although temperature measures normal.
Key Differences
Flu symptoms due to herpes will be accompanied by skin lesions--painful blisters or superficial erosions on the skin and mucous membranes, notes Dr. Corey. Flu symptoms caused by the influenza virus will be accompanied by respiratory symptoms such as dry cough, runny nose, nasal congestion and, in some cases, breathing problems.
Onset
The onset of flu symptoms is abrupt, so much so that patients are often able to pinpoint the exact time they became ill, says Dr. Raphael Dolin in "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine." Flu symptoms due to herpes develop more gradually, over the course of a day or two.
Duration
Most people recover from the flu in two to five days. Flu symptoms due to herpes last longer--up to seven days for fever and two weeks for other symptoms, according to a 2008 report in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Recurrence
Flu season runs from October to March and one bout almost always confers immunity for the rest of the season. According to the Archives of Internal Medicine article, people with herpes usually experience about six episodes during the first year with decreasing frequency thereafter. Flu symptoms are most severe for the first outbreak and become progressively milder during recurrent outbreaks.
References
- "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; 2008
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Colds and the Flu
- "Archives of Internal Medicine;" The Treatment of Herpes Simples: An Evidence-Based Review; C. Cernik, K. Gallina, and R.T. Brodell; June 2008
