Just like any other STD forms, once an individual has a skin-to-skin contact with someone with the infection, the likelihood of acquiring genital herpes is already there.
After which, one will experience different episodes of herpes outbreak; each with different levels of discomfort and symptoms.
To have a better idea about herpes, we need to know first about its nature.
The two types of herpes are the: herpes 1 and herpes 2.
The Herpes simplex 1 is what they call as cold sore.
It is the type of herpes that is visible in and around the mouth.
The other form, herpes simplex 2, is the so-called genital herpes.
This is commonly the type that is considered to be a sexually transmitted disease.
The first episode of herpes outbreak begins to take place two to twenty days after the contact with an individual who already has the infection.
Though the first outbreak is considered to be the most obvious and noticeable, there are still some who fail to notice the outbreak because it is still too mild to be noticed.
In fact, around 60% of the population who undergo the first stage of herpes did not notice the symptom.
Because of this, they still transmit the infection unknowingly because of lack of symptoms.
The first stage of herpes is observed through a chancre or sore.
It is red and sensitive.
This sore is commonly known as herpes bump.
The sore can be seen in or around the genital area.
For women, it can develop in the vagina.
Because of this, some infected people do not recognize this infection as such.
Instead, it is confused as another form like boils.
Its difference from boils, however, is that the latter is bigger and more painful.
There are also many treatments to boils nowadays.
Aside from the vagina, lesions can also develop in other area like the vulva, anus, urethra, buttocks, and thighs.
Aside from the chancre, other women also have vaginal discharge and discomfort as other symptoms of herpes.
The first outbreak of the infection lasts for three weeks on women on its average while it can last for two weeks for men.
Aside from the sore, other symptoms of herpes may include fever, headaches, lower back pain, and muscle aches.
As for women, herpes may be further manifested because of the pain during urination and vaginal discharge.
It has been observed that 25% of the women who suffer from their first outbreak suffer from meningitis while 10% to 20% has painful and burning sensation while urinating.
During its first stage, there are still subsequent outbreaks other than the first and major outbreak.
Around 80% of the individuals who experience their first outbreak would go through shorter and less serious outbreaks after the first.
Though it may be less severe and does not take too much time, it is still as uncomfortable as the first.
It is also during the outbreaks that an individual is a good carrier of the infection and can easily transmit it to his/her partner.
Nowadays, there are already different types of cures for herpes.
At the same time, there are already some medications that are available and which can ease any discomfort of the diseases symptoms.
Also, such medications can help shorten the time-length of the herpes outbreak.
It is very crucial for a herpes victim to immediately take a test or check-up in a private clinic to know if he/she really is infected by the disease.
The herpes virus should, take note, be treated immediately so that the condition wont worsen.
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