Applying ice packs or baking soda compresses to the affected areas may relieve some of the swelling and discomfort.

Friction to the area (eg, with sexual intercourse or tight-fitting clothes).Īcetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may help reduce pain, fever, and muscle aches that accompany the herpes sores.

Hormonal changes, such as those due to menstruation or pregnancy.

On average, most people will get about 4 outbreaks per year, although the frequency of recurrence is variable and tends to decrease over the years.Ī recurrence of genital herpes usually occurs spontaneously, but it can also be triggered by: Note, however, that some people never develop the symptoms of a primary HSV infection and may mistake a recurrent infection for a primary infection. Most people will have a recurrence of genital herpes during the first year after a primary infection. This is called the prodromal phase of the infection. Many people with recurrent HSV infections have burning, tingling, or pain in the area of the outbreak up to 24 hours before any visible signs. Recurrent HSV infections are usually milder than the primary infection, but the lesions look similar. People may also develop fever, headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue with a primary outbreak. Primary genital HSV infection can be severe, with many painful blisters causing pain and burning with urination and vaginal or urethral discharge. In men, the most common locations are the penis, scrotum, upper thighs, buttocks, and anus.

In women, the most common locations for genital herpes infection are the external genitalia, vagina, cervix, buttocks, and anus. The primary outbreak typically lasts 2-4 weeks. The scabs eventually fall off, leaving a red or hyperpigmented (darker) area that finally fades. These painful erosions subsequently become scabbed over. These vesicles and pustules are usually quite fragile, so people may never notice them but instead see tiny erosions (open sores). Shortly after exposure to the virus, a newly infected person may develop vesicles or pustules (pus-filled bumps), occurring singly or in a group. Recurrent infections tend to be milder than primary infections and generally occur in the same location as the primary infection. These recurrent HSV infections may develop frequently (every few weeks), or they may never develop. Affected individuals carry the virus in their bodies for the rest of their lives.Ĭertain triggers can cause the hibernating (latent) virus to wake up, become active, and travel back to the skin. These sores heal completely, rarely leaving a scar. Appearing 5-7 days after a person’s first exposure to HSV, the sores of a primary infection last about 2-4 weeks. HSV causes a primary infection in most people who are exposed to the virus. HSV-1 is the most common cause of infections around the mouth, lips, nose, and face, although HSV-2 can also be a cause, and HSV-2 more commonly causes lesions on the genitals and buttocks (sometimes called sacral herpes).īoth types of HSV produce 2 kinds of infections: primary and recurrent. There are 2 types of HSV: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).

Infections with HSV are very contagious and are spread by direct contact with the skin lesions. These sores can come back periodically in the same sites, called recurrent infections. HSV infection usually appears as a group of small vesicles (fluid-filled blisters), erosions (sore areas of missing skin), or crusts (scabs) around the mouth, nose, genitals, buttocks, and lower back, although infections can develop almost anywhere on the skin. Herpes simplex infection of the genitals, or genital herpes, is a common recurrent skin condition associated with infection by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Accessed April 20, 2022.Genital Herpes (HSV): Symptoms and Treatment In: Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Pediatrics. In: Pediatric Telephone Protocols: Office Version. Infections characterized by fever and rash. 314 labeling of drug preparations containing salicylates.Clinical report - Fever and antipyretic use in children. Recommendations for prevention and control of influenza in children, 2017-2018.

Herpes outbreak pictures