#!/usr/local/bin/php
Once a person is infected with herpes simplex virus it will remain in the body forever. Incurable as it is, treatment can calm down the pain and will heal the symptoms but that won’t end there. The genital herpes and the first outbreak (prodrome) is characterized by a tingling or burning feeling in the skin, followed by slight swelling and will then develop into a painful fluid-filled blisters appear. Rashes and clusters of small blisters could appear in and around the genital area, in the vagina, penis, scrotum, anus and thighs. Blisters will burst over 1-2 weeks and will turn to shallow, sore ulcers. The glands in the groin may swell and feel like lumps at the top of your legs. During the symptoms of the genital herpes and first outbreak, the patient may feel fever-like symptoms from of severe aches and pain in the body. To relieve the pain, you can use paracetamol and other over-the-counter painkillers.
During first course of the genital herpes and first outbreak painful urination, abnormal penile and vaginal discharge or mucus most likely may occur. In about 2 weeks, the ulcers will gradually heal and scab off without scarring. The genital herpes and first outbreak may vary widely from person to person. Symptoms appear within 2 to 10 days after incubation. During a genital herpes and first episode, infection could last in about 2 to 3 weeks. There is no clear explanation why sometimes the genital herpes and first outbreak will appear months or years after being first infected. The person could be carrying the virus and not knowing it and there is a potential risk of transmitting the virus to others. Majority of infected people develop symptoms, while others experience silent symptoms (asymptomatic).
Why is there a genital herpes and first outbreak? After genital herpes invades the skin or mucous membranes during the first episode symptoms of genital herpes, the virus travels to the sensory nerves at the end of the spinal cord where it remains inside the nerve cells and remains dormant. After genital and first outbreak, recurrent outbreaks may occur at some time where the body’s immune system do not have enough build up on antibody against the virus. When the virus reactivates, it travels along the nerves to the skin causing new sores to appear and same cycle goes on over and over again.
After the symptoms of genital herpes and first episode the infection do not. Further episodes are likely to occur from time to time and these are called “flare up” or recurrent outbreaks. This is due to the fact that the dormant virus reactivates from time to time. Recurrent outbreaks tend to be less severe and the duration is shorter than the genital herpes and first outbreak. Herpes simplex virus can reactivate without any visible symptoms like sores and blisters being present. It can shed the virus to the nearby skin area causing to multiply and reproduce. Shedding occurs without any feeling of discomfort that could last in 1-2 days. Without knowing that you have the virus poses a risk and you are not be aware that you may infect a sexual partner during this time.
Unlike the genital herpes and first outbreak that lasts in 2-3 weeks, recurrent outbreaks can last only for 3-5 days. During recurrent outbreak, itchy and burning sensation on the skin will be felt in the in the genital area in 2 days. The time period between recurrent outbreaks will become less severe and less frequent over time. In some people, the average number of recurrent outbreaks can average in six episodes in one year. The only thing that triggers the virus to recur is the immune system. Recurrent outbreaks can be prevented with the use of antiviral drugs as prescribed by your doctor.