Approximately one in every six people between the ages of 14 and 49 are infected with the herpes simplex virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This virus is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause both genital and oral skin lesions. In certain cases, people may develop fever or flulike herpes symptoms in the presence or absence of skin lesions. People who are sexually active should receive regular testing for herpes and other sexually transmitted disease to help limit the transmission of such infections.
Fever or Headache
Approximately 70 percent of women and 40 percent of men develop flulike herpes symptoms during the first one to two weeks following initial exposure to the virus, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. Affected people may develop a low-grade fever, which can cause headache pain, sweating or chills. These flulike symptoms progressively subside within a few weeks of onset without further medical intervention.
Muscle Aches
Muscle aches and pain may occur during herpes outbreaks and can contribute to symptoms of fatigue in affected people. Persistent body discomfort may cause people to be uninterested in participating in their normal physical activities, such as going to the gym or participating in athletic events.
Swollen Lymph Glands
In healthy people, the lymphatic system, which contains the lymph glands, helps to protect the body against infection. People with herpes may develop unusually swollen or enlarged lymph glands as a symptom of this viral infection, WomensHealth.gov explains. Genital herpes may cause excessive swelling of the lymph nodes in the groin, while oral herpes may result in enlarged lymph glands in the neck. Though swollen glands may protrude under the skin, they are typically painless.
Sore Throat
People with oral herpes may experience throat irritation or sore throat symptoms following infection. Throat discomfort can contribute to difficulty swallowing or loss of appetite in people with this sexually transmitted disease. Sore throat symptoms typically develop in conjunction with fever and may persist for up to five days, MedlinePlus warns.
