Infection from the herpes virus can occur during passage of bodily fluids, including saliva, semen, fluid in the female genital tract and fluid from herpes sores. The virus can infect someone when there is direct contact from an infected person through injuries in the skin and contact through the mouth or genital areas. The herpes simplex virus 1, or HSV-1, causes oral herpes. Genital herpes is caused by HSV-2.
Oral Herpes Symptoms
Sores on the lips such as fever blisters or cold sores are the common symptoms with HSV-1, but sores in the genital area may also occur. The blisters may also be present on the tongue. Painful open sores may develop when the blisters rupture. The sores heal and disappear within 3 to 14 days, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). Other possible symptoms include increased amount of saliva and foul breath. In rare cases, there may be difficulty swallowing, muscle pain, chills and hearing loss. Children often suffer mouth infections. Adolescents usually have infections in the throat that cause soreness. Many of the people infected are young children. But about 60 to 85 percent of Americans who reach age 60 are infected with HSV-1.
Recurrent Oral Herpes Symptoms
The recurrent outbreaks are usually milder and occur a couple of times a year; however, there are people who have outbreaks more often. Cold sores or fever blisters most often appear on the outer lips. Various triggers of recurrent outbreaks may include sunlight, fever, injuries, surgery, menstruation, weak immune system or stress, the UMMC reports.
Genital Herpes Symptoms
Small red bumps, blisters or open sores may appear in the genital or anal areas, the Mayo Clinic explains. The symptoms may also occur in surrounding areas. There may be pain or itching in the genital area as well as on the buttocks or inner thighs. Symptoms may not appear until a few weeks after sexual contact with an infected person. The pain and itching are usually the first symptoms followed by the blisters and sores. There may be pain during urination when the sores appear along with pain in the genital area until the infection goes away. Headaches, muscle aches, fever and swollen lymph nodes in the groin may also occur. Symptoms may last for up to three weeks. The HSV-2 infection is transmitted through sexual contact.
Recurrent Genital Herpes Symptoms
The recurrent outbreaks are usually milder than the first signs. The outbreaks last about three days. There may be pain, itching and sores on the genital area. Some outbreaks are so mild there may be only itching. The recurrent outbreaks often lessen over time. In many cases, there may be four recurrences the first year and then decrease over the years. However, symptoms vary among different people. Some people may continue to have a number of outbreaks every year. Recurrences are different for each person and may be triggered by suppression of the immune system, illness, surgery, fatigue, menstruation or stress, the Mayo Clinic notes.
