Understanding Genital Herpies: Causes, Transmission and Symptoms

Causes of Herpes

• Type 1 or HSV-1 is the one that causes cold sores or fever blisters. If you have herpies lesions in the mouth or on the lips, you have HSV-1.
• Type 2 or HSV-2 causes the genital lesions and outbreaks.

Transmission of Genital Herpies

As someone who has herpes, you have a responsibility to prevent further spread. That does not mean no more sex, but here are some things you need to remember:

• Limit your sexual partners
• Use latex condoms during sex
• Use dental dam for oral sex
• Take note that foams and spermicides cannot protect one from genital herpies and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Genital Herpes

• Outbreaks. Do you remember the very first time you notice something weird is going on with your privates? It's called an initial outbreak. It usually appears within 2 to 20 days after skin to skin contact to a person infected with herpies genital.

  Signs and symptoms include:

  • Flu-like symptoms such as fever and body pains.
  • Appearance of sores and blisters on the genitals
  • Dry and itchy skin. Swelling may be present.
  • Vaginal or penile discharge

  Without treatment, the disease may last from 3 to 4 weeks although in most cases, these usually resolve within 2 to 12 days.

• Warning Signs. At least herpes is decent enough to warn infected individuals that an outbreak will occur. The symptoms may be different for everyone so it is important to note the warning signs you experience.

  Some of the most common warning signs include:

• Burning, itching and tingling sensations in the genitals
• Pain in the buttocks and legs
• Fever
• Swollen lymph glands particularly in the groin area
• Feeling emotionally depressed or irritable
• Burning sensation on the bottom of the foot or sides of the legs