Genital Herpes Lesions - This Common Herpes Symptom Explained
Genital herpes is a very widespread sexually transmitted disease, estimate to affect over 45 million people in the US alone.
It is cause by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), and once contracted stays in the body for the lifetime of the affected individual.
There is no permanent cure, but with regular treatment the disease can be controlled and managed.
There are two strains of the virus, HSV1 and HSV2, and both can cause herpes in the genital area, although HSV2 is most commonly the strain that causes genital herpes, while HSV1 more often causes blisters on the lips or mouth, and is commonly known as cold sores.
The most common symptom of an infection of HSV1 or HSV2 in the genital region is the appearance of an outbreak of genital herpes lesions.
These lesions or blisters can appear on the groin, on and inside the vagina, on the head and shaft of the penis, on the buttocks and around the anus.
Genital herpes lesions can be few or many, and they can be tiny dots (similar to small pimples) or large coin sized blisters.
They may be concentrated to one area of the genital region, or may appear all over.
Genital herpes lesions often appear as small bumps, usually accompanied by a rash or swelling, an itching or burning sensation in the groin, and flu like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache or nausea.
The bumps will eventually become open sores, which will weep or burst, and eventually scab over and heal without scarring.
This period of the outbreak can be very uncomfortable and painful.
Sufferers are advised to wear loose fitting clothing and underwear during this period, preferably made of cotton or other breathable materials, and keep the lesions and the genital area clean and dry to speed up healing and reduce discomfort.
These sores or lesions can be treated with topical creams available by prescription from your doctor, or with antiseptic lotions, or by simply keeping the area clean and dry during the outbreak.
Icepacks can also be used to soothe itching and burning.
An outbreak of herpes can occur as regularly as once a month, or as infrequently as once or twice a year, depending on the person infected.
It is cause by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV), and once contracted stays in the body for the lifetime of the affected individual.
There is no permanent cure, but with regular treatment the disease can be controlled and managed.
There are two strains of the virus, HSV1 and HSV2, and both can cause herpes in the genital area, although HSV2 is most commonly the strain that causes genital herpes, while HSV1 more often causes blisters on the lips or mouth, and is commonly known as cold sores.
The most common symptom of an infection of HSV1 or HSV2 in the genital region is the appearance of an outbreak of genital herpes lesions.
These lesions or blisters can appear on the groin, on and inside the vagina, on the head and shaft of the penis, on the buttocks and around the anus.
Genital herpes lesions can be few or many, and they can be tiny dots (similar to small pimples) or large coin sized blisters.
They may be concentrated to one area of the genital region, or may appear all over.
Genital herpes lesions often appear as small bumps, usually accompanied by a rash or swelling, an itching or burning sensation in the groin, and flu like symptoms such as fever, fatigue, headache or nausea.
The bumps will eventually become open sores, which will weep or burst, and eventually scab over and heal without scarring.
This period of the outbreak can be very uncomfortable and painful.
Sufferers are advised to wear loose fitting clothing and underwear during this period, preferably made of cotton or other breathable materials, and keep the lesions and the genital area clean and dry to speed up healing and reduce discomfort.
These sores or lesions can be treated with topical creams available by prescription from your doctor, or with antiseptic lotions, or by simply keeping the area clean and dry during the outbreak.
Icepacks can also be used to soothe itching and burning.
An outbreak of herpes can occur as regularly as once a month, or as infrequently as once or twice a year, depending on the person infected.
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