Herpes is a very common disease and many people may be infected even without their knowledge. The herpes virus can stay dormant for long periods and may come out without warning. The symptoms of infection are sometimes misdiagnosed as another disease, which is why it is important to know them and immediately consult a doctor for proper detection and treatment. Here are the top ten signs that you have the herpes virus.

 

1. Blisters

 

The early symptoms of herpes start as blisters on the surface of the skin. Sometimes these blisters don’t even cause pain. Depending on the type of herpes virus you have, these blisters may appear on the lips or around the mouth, inside the mouth (oral herpes), or around the genital area (genital herpes). For women infected with genital herpes, these blisters may appear inside the vagina or even in the cervix. In men, these blisters may appear on the penis itself.

 

2. Sores or Lesions

 

These symptoms are the blisters that have burst and worsened. This may happen when the blisters are scratched and may cause clumping of the sores. Blisters may also burst on their own. When the blisters develop into sores or lesions, they become very painful and uncomfortable. Watery secretions may also be present after some time. Before these painful signs appear, red patches and burning sensations are felt. Soon, they turn into blisters then later develop into uncomfortable sores and lesions. If present in the mouth area (oral herpes), talking and eating become very hard, painful, and uncomfortable.

 

3. Fever

 

Fever is a common bodily response whenever there is an invader in the system. It is believed that fever helps slow down the pathogens inside the host body and increase the number of antibodies in the blood stream. Though the real reason behind fever is still unknown, it is surely a sign that your body is fighting an invader: the herpes virus, in this case. The average normal body temperature is around 37 degrees Celsius or 98 degrees Fahrenheit. Having body temperature higher than this means you have fever. Fever alone is not a sign that you have herpes; it must be accompanied by other symptoms as well.

 

4. Itching

 

In many cases, the first signs of herpes infection are red patches on the affected area. They develop into blisters and then lesions, and after a few weeks, begin to dry up and form a scab-like coating. This is usually the time when severe itching is felt. Though the itching is not serious, it can be very annoying. If the area is scratched, it may open up again and be quite painful. This symptom is usually felt after a few days when the lesions or sores dry up.

 

5. Swelling of Lymph Nodes

 

The lymph nodes serve as filters and drains in the human body. They trap and drain foreign bodies such as bacteria and viruses that invade the body. Under normal circumstances, the lymph node is hardly felt on the surface of the skin. When there is an infection present, such as the herpes virus, these nodes swell up to the size of a small bean due to increased activity of the antibodies. Usually, the lymph nodes, when swollen, can be felt around the neck and jaw area. (For more information, read The Guide to swollen lymph nodes)

 

6. Muscle Aches

 

During the first few weeks of infection, a person with herpes may experience muscle aches, often accompanied by fatigue. The muscle pain is similar to what you may feel after you have gone to the gym, or after playing a physical sport. In some cases, muscle pain may also include pain in the joint areas like the elbows and knees.

 

7. Headaches

 

This is another common symptom usually felt along with fever. You must be really aware of the other symptoms of herpes because a headache is a common sign for many a condition or disease. Headaches caused by a herpes infection may persist for several days up to several weeks, but they are not felt all the time. Pain relievers and some rest greatly help reduce the discomfort and pain. Just like other symptoms of herpes infection, headaches must be accompanied by other symptoms like blisters or skin lesions to be sure that they are indeed caused by the viral infection. (Tips on how to cure a headache naturally)

 

8. Irritability

 

Irritability may also be experienced by people who have the herpes virus. It is still unclear why people who suffer from this infection experience this, though it may be because the virus causes the body to be overly sensitive. When stimuli, either internal or external, go beyond the capacity of the person, it causes the person to get irritated.

 

9. Pain or Difficulty when Urinating

 

This symptom is only felt when the type of herpes infection is in the genital area. This type of herpes infection is known as genital herpes. In males, symptoms like blisters, itching, and lesions appear on the penis, and on females, these same symptoms can be present around the genital area, as well as inside the vagina and cervix. This is the main reason why there is pain, or at least discomfort when urinating when infected by the virus. With proper medication and treatment, this pain is easily eased almost immediately.

 

10. Lower Back Pain

 

A lot of people who have this condition experience pain in the lower part of their backs. It is quite different from ordinary back pain because it persists for a long time. This is often felt along with other muscle pain. Usually, the muscles in the lower back are affected. (see how to get rid of a back ache)

 

Most of the symptoms of herpes are also symptoms of other diseases. In case you do feel any of these, it is very important that you consult a doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor can run the necessary tests to determine the cause of the symptoms you are experiencing. Herpes is a very contagious disease, and is easily spread through contact with the affected area. A person can get infected not only through sexual intercourse, but also through oral and anal sex. When a doctor confirms that you have the virus, it is best that you abstain from any sexual contact to avoid spreading it.