Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) most often causes oral herpes (herpes labialis), according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM). The HSV-1 often impacts the lips, mouth and sometimes the throat. In a few cases, it can impact the cheeks or nose. A cure for the virus has yet to be found, but there are some effective treatment options for managing symptoms. Symptoms of the virus can vary for every individual, and each episode of herpes can be different from the previous outbreaks.
Initial Symptoms
Initial symptoms of genital herpes are called prodrome signs. They include pain, itching and burning at the site of a future outbreak. These can occur within a few weeks of contracting the virus from another infected person, or they may not occur at all, according to the Mayo Clinic. Within a few days, blisters may develop on the skin tissues. The first outbreak may be worse than recurrent outbreaks.
Flu-Like Symptoms
The initial outbreak may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, muscle pains, swollen lymph nodes in the groin area, sore throat and chills, as indicated by the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM). These symptoms can occur just before a herpes outbreak or right before a new cluster of blisters occur.
Blister Stage
Several days after the prodrome symptoms occur, small red blisters will appear. They are often painful, itchy and sometimes warm to the touch. Within four days the blisters will erupt and ooze liquid, pus and sometimes blood. As the sores heal, they will scab over. At this point, more lesions may develop, or the scabbed ulcers will dry up and disappear.
