Herpes is a skin infection usually acquired through direct contact with the Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1, or HSV--1; it is the most common cause of cold sores and facial herpes. Genital herpes is caused by a subset of the virus called Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2, or HSV-2, and is most often contracted through sexual contact, according to MayoClinic.com.
Primary Infection
When a woman is infected for the first time, either with HSV--1 or HSV-2, she is said to have a primary infection. In most cases, primary infections have no symptoms, according to MayoClinic.com, or the symptoms can be so mild that the infected woman may mistake them for something else. When symptoms do occur, they will most often be severe during primary infection as the immune system has not yet built up resistance. Symptoms can include lesions, or blisters, at the site of infection, fever and pain.
Latency
Once the virus infects a woman, it will always be present in her body, though it will spend most of its time in hibernation in the nervous system. The virus can remain inactive for life, or can cause recurring herpes outbreaks. When the virus becomes active again, it returns to the area of the original infection.
Prodrome
The first symptom of an outbreak, whether primary or recurrent, is often prodrome. Prodrome is a sign or symptom that an outbreak of a disease is about to occur. In vaginal herpes, prodrome usually includes a feeling of tingling, pain or a burning at the site where the infection occurred. In most cases, this happens within a couple of weeks of infection. MayoClinic.com reports that a vaginal outbreak can occur in the vaginal area, on the external genitals, on the buttocks, around the anus or on the cervix. The University of South Carolina adds the urethra to the list of possible infection sites. Prodrome can also indicate the advent of an outbreak on the lips or face.
Lesions
Approximately two days after the onset of prodrome, a lesion, or a number of lesions, develop at the site. The lesions appear as small vesicles, or small, fluid-filled blisters. The skin under and around the blisters is often red and inflamed. The blisters often rupture and ooze. The fluid inside the blisters is filled with the virus and is highly contagious. Fever and flu-like symptoms, including headache and body aches, can occur with a herpes outbreak, especially during the initial outbreak. Swollen lymph nodes in the groin area and pain are also common in women who experience a genital outbreak. As the sores begin to heal, a dry crust may form over the top of the lesion. The crust hardens as the virus begins to dry out and eventually falls off. Scarring usually does not occur.
