Home | health | Common Warning Signs And Symptoms Of Herpes

Common warning signs and symptoms of herpes

Common warning signs and symptoms of herpes

Herpes is a viral infection caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). This condition is classified into two categories depending on where the symptoms occur: genital herpes and oral herpes. In both cases, the warning signs may not be evident early on. Also, in certain cases, the virus remains dormant for a long time, and the symptoms start showing after many years. Here are some of the warning signs of herpes and common signs and symptoms:

Warning signs
Some people have experienced a severe outbreak of herpes symptoms without any warning immediately after the infection. But some only go through mild episodes. In either case, a person may have the following warning signs after the initial infection:

  • A tingling sensation in the infected area
  • Constant itching or burning in the infected area
  • Formation of sores or blisters around the mouth or genitals

In most cases, the warning signs progress to full-fledged symptoms that last longer. These symptoms can occur anywhere between 2 and 20 days after the first exposure to the virus.

Common symptoms of oral herpes
Oral herpes can cause blisters to be found around or inside the mouth and the lips. These blisters are also known as cold sores or fever sores. In some cases, the sore forms on the tongue and the face, particularly in the chin area. However, in rare cases, the soreness of oral herpes is observed in other areas of the body. These blisters generally last 2 to 3 weeks and then clear up.

Common signs and symptoms of genital herpes
The symptoms of genital herpes develop in and around the genital area. One of the most common symptoms is the development of sores in these parts. The sore can also develop in other areas of the body. In addition, a person may also experience pain during urination. In the case of women, there might be drastic changes in the vaginal discharge. These changes can be seen in the discharge’s color, odor, and consistency. These symptoms generally last between two and six weeks, or sometimes more.
Both oral and genital herpes occur in episodes, since the condition doesn’t go away. The first episode is usually more painful. After the initial outbreak, the symptoms tend to recur periodically. Over time, the frequency of the outbreaks becomes less, and the intensity of the symptoms is less severe.

Initial episode symptoms of herpes
The first outbreak of herpes is the initial episode when the infection first develops. During this, a person may experience the following symptoms:

  • Sores or blisters
  • Pain and itching
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Fever
  • Fatigue and weakness

Recurring symptoms
After the first outbreaks, herpes episodes may occur repeatedly over the years. The symptoms during these recurring episodes are the same as during the first outbreak. However, the intensity of the symptoms is much milder, and there are fewer sores. Also, the symptoms last for a shorter duration than the initial outbreak.
The chances of experiencing recurring symptoms are higher in genital herpes than in oral herpes. This is because it has been observed that only about 30% of people with oral herpes and 50% of people with genital herpes have recurring episodes. During each recurring episode, herpes symptoms can last for about 8 to 10 days.

Read Also

Know more about exciting & latest articles right here

Top 4 reasons for unnatural hair loss patterns

Top 4 reasons for unnatural hair loss patterns

Hair loss is a natural process that automatically gets rid of old tissue and hair to promote new growth. So don’t be alarmed when you do find a few strands of hair tangled in your comb. However, a clearly visible scalp and a receding hairline are indicative of developing the problem of permanent hair loss. There are several internal and external factors that can accelerate hair fall, leading to pattern baldness in both men and women. Here are the top four reasons that trigger unnatural hair fall. Stress Stress ranks among the top risk factors associated with many medical conditions. In fact, one way or the other, taking physical or psychological stress harms the body more than you can imagine. For hair loss, especially, excessive shedding starts right after the body undergoes physical or psychological distress. A few examples include experiencing high fever, blood loss due to accident or injury, or even post-surgery recovery can result in stress that causes hair loss. Stress, coupled with anxiety, results in accelerated hair loss. To cope with this problem and reduce its effects, stress management is of crucial importance. Hormonal changes Men and women both experience hormonal changes throughout their lifetime. However, an imbalance associated with various conditions can trigger hair loss.
Read More
Learn about these 3 types of hearing loss

Learn about these 3 types of hearing loss

Hearing loss, deafness, or impairment is the partial or total inability to hear sounds. People with low to moderate hearing impairment face challenges in understanding what the other person is saying in a noisy environment. Whereas, people with severe deafness cannot hear anything, and rely completely on lip-reading and sign language skills. There are three main types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and a combination of both. Let’s understand these types in detail and learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of each type. Sensorineural hearing loss It’s the most common type of hearing loss. Sensorineural is permanent hearing loss often caused by damage to the tiny hair cells that line the inner ear or the auditory nerve. The damage stops or weakens the transfers of nerve signals to the brain. These signals are essentially the intensity and clarity of sounds. Causes: Aging and exposure to loud noises for a long period of time are the most common cause of the damage. Certain medications and illnesses can also increase risks. It can even be genetic, and pass on to the child in the mother’s womb. Treatment: There is no medical or surgical treatment available to repair the tiny hair cells once they’re damaged.
Read More
Simple lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of heart diseases

Simple lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of heart diseases

The heart is the most crucial organ in the body and as the system will cease to function if the heart stops or loses momentum pumping fresh oxygenated blood. This is why it is vital to not neglect your heart health at all and responsibly maintain a healthy, stress-free, and more importantly, a happy lifestyle. Here are a few simple lifestyle changes that will help support a healthy heart function. Switch to a healthy diet Avoid eating foods that are rich in trans and saturated fats. Most foods you find on the shelves of the supermarket contain large quantities of one or the other. Instead, switch to low-fat high fiber alternatives to help manage cholesterol. Maintaining a healthy cholesterol level in the body automatically reduces the risk of heart diseases. The simple reason for this is that fats that normally block major arteries and blood vessels are eliminated from these foods choices. It is also advisable to limit the salt (sodium) intake to control blood pressure and sugar to reduce the risk of diabetes simultaneously. Change certain lifestyle habits Reduce the number of alcoholic or carbonated drinks you have regularly. For men, it is advisable to have not more than two drinks and day and women must have only one.
Read More
How to distinguish between heartburn and GERD

How to distinguish between heartburn and GERD

Heartburn is an unpleasant, burning sensation in the chest that is more common than a lot of individuals realize. Pregnant women, older men, and even young adults experience it frequently. Despite it being such a prevalent experience, not many know that heartburn has actually nothing to do with the heart and everything to do with the stomach and the esophagus. Unsurprisingly enough, heartburn is also used interchangeably with GERD. But, before we get to deciphering heartburn and GERD, let’s understand what acid reflux is. What is acid reflux or GER? Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter or LES becomes weak, allowing the contents of the stomach to travel in the wrong direction, back up the esophagus. Acid reflux is also called GER or gastroesophageal reflux as it involves the stomach and esophagus. This condition can usually be resolved with over-the-counter medication. What is heartburn? Heartburn is a burning or painful sensation that is experienced in the chest. Since the lining of the esophagus is not as strong as the lining of the stomach, the acid from the stomach can cause a burning sensation in the chest. This pain or burning sensation that is heartburn can often be misconstrued for a heart attack.
Read More