Genital Herpes Symptom
 
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Are You Having a Genital Herpes Symptom?
by Brian Benjamin Carter, MS, LAc

Brian is the founder of the Pulse of Oriental Medicine. He teaches at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine and maintains a private practice in San Diego, California, and is the author of Powerful Body, Peaceful Mind: How to Heal Yourself with Foods, Herbs, and Acupressure.

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Genital herpes has slightly different symptoms, depending on whether it is your first infection, or a flare up. The virus that causes genital herpes (usually HSV II) hides in the spinal nerve roots and flares back up with stress and other causes.

The first time you get genital herpes, the symptoms start with fever, headache, muscle pain, and an unwell feeling (malaise). The actual "herpes sore" is called a vesicle, which is a raised, fluid-filled skin lesion, less than half a centimeter in diameter. This genital herpes symptom can actually show up either in the genital area, or on the lips!


Herpes on the Lips

Genital Herpes

In this first episode, the vesicles ulcerate (break open) soon after they form. They are shallow, very painful, and may group together. They remain for between 4 days and 2 weeks.

The next genital herpes symptom called adenopathy (large, swollen lymph nodes) appears in the 2nd or 3rd week of the disease. These enlarged, tender nodes can be felt on the upper inner thighs.

Medical attention during this initial infection is good, because there are occasional complications like aseptic meningitis that can be dangerous.

Recurrences of Genital Herpes are simpler, but still not much fun. They can happen 5-8 times per year.

In the hours or days before a lesion, you can get the genital herpes symptom of tingling or numbness at the spot where the vesicle will form. The vesicle may be just 1, or as many as 3 or 4. It enlarges over 3-4 days, and peaks at 4-8 days. You may also get the lymph adenopathy, which will be slight, and they will only be mildly tender.

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About The PULSE
All information herein provided is for educational use only and not meant to substitute for the advice of appropriate local experts and authorities.

Copyright 1999-2074, Pulse Media International, Brian Carter, MSci, LAc, Editor