Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease for which there is no cure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that 16.2% of people aged 14 to 29 have genital herpes.
Herpes outbreaks will come and go intermittently, with the first outbreak usually being the most severe. Some people can have outbreaks as often as twice a month, while others can have them as seldom as once every six months. While some herpes outbreaks carry no signs, other cases include symptoms resembling the flu or burning and itching at the site of infection.
Sores
The most obvious symptom of genital herpes is the sores that result from the infection. These small sores can develop anywhere on the genital area. They can also occur on the thighs or the buttocks.
If this is the only symptom of herpes the person is having, it can be difficult to decipher that it is in fact a herpes outbreak. This is especially true if the sores are located on the thighs or the buttocks. These sores usually start out as small pimples and later develop into large sores that will crust over and slowly heal.
The Feeling of an Eruption
Before an outbreak of herpes occurs, the person will usually have the feeling that an eruption is starting under the skin. The medical name for this is a prodrome. The person affected will start to feel burning and itching in the area where a sore is about to form. There can also be numbness and tingling in the area. These episodes can occur up to two weeks before the actual outbreak happens. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that all subsequent outbreaks will be less severe than the first.
Flu-Like Symptoms
Not all people will develop flu-like symptoms with genital herpes. Those who do may experience nausea and vomiting during an outbreak. A sore throat is also not uncommon with a genital herpes outbreak. It is also possible for an infected individual to have a fever, since this is one of the body’s natural defenses in eradicating infection, and severe body aches.
Another symptom associated with genital herpes is swollen lymph nodes. This occurs especially in the groin, but can occur in the throat as well. Women’s Health states that symptoms of herpes outbreaks can be more severe and longer-lasting in people who have lower immune systems due to certain diseases like human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV.
