What are the symptoms of genital herpes?

If genital herpes occurs, there is often a certain incubation period, and the patient will show adverse symptoms such as fever, headache, difficulty urinating, increased vaginal discharge, etc. when the disease occurs. There will also be small red papules and slight itching locally.

1. Primary genital herpes

The first infection with the virus is called primary genital herpes, with an incubation period of 3-5 days. The infected area first has a burning sensation, and soon groups of small red papules will appear on the basis of erythema, accompanied by slight itching, and soon turn into blisters or papules. In severe cases, the skin lesions may turn into pustules after 3-5 days, and then form erosions and ulcers in pieces, which are painful, and finally form scabs and heal completely. The whole course of the disease is about 20 days. The systemic symptoms are obvious: there may be fever, headache, discomfort, increased vaginal discharge, difficulty urinating, and enlarged local lymph nodes.

2. Recurrent genital herpes:

Recurrent genital herpes is a reinfection after the disease is cured, or the disease is not completely cured and reoccurs. The symptoms are basically the same as primary genital herpes. Usually, blisters appear at the site of the original rash. First, it itches and hurts. Groups of blisters appear and then turn into pustules. After breaking, erosions and ulcers are formed, which are red, swollen and painful, and finally heal with scabs. Recurrent genital herpes will mostly recur within 1 to 4 months after the primary infection. The clinical manifestations of recurrent genital herpes are very similar to those of primary genital herpes. One to two days before the recurrence, there are often prodromal symptoms such as itching or burning in the local area.

3. Early symptoms of female genital herpes

Genital herpes is caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of herpes simplex virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 is transmitted through close contact with the respiratory tract, skin and mucous membranes, mainly causing infections of the lips, pharynx, eyes and skin, and a small number (about 8%) can also cause genital infections. HSV-2 is the main pathogen of genital herpes (88%), present in the exudate of skin and mucous membrane damage, semen, prostate secretions, cervical and vaginal secretions, and is mainly transmitted through sexual intercourse, causing primary genital herpes.