Health
Fact-checked

At TheHealthBoard, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What are the Most Common Herpes Symptoms?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Herpes symptoms are fairly easy to recognize when people know what they’re looking for. There is some difference in expression of symptoms depending on type of herpes, or where the herpes infected the skin. People with genital herpes can get herpes symptoms on the face, or those with oral herpes may get herpes blisters on the genitals. With this in mind, it’s simply important to determine how herpes looks and feels when it appears on the face or the genitals.

Oral symptoms may begin, especially the first time with flulike symptoms that could include a mild fever, achiness, and swelling of some of the lymph nodes. These symptoms don’t always repeat in subsequent expressions of the illness. Most often people might note a tingling or itching sensation usually in one specific area around the mouth or under the nose. In a few days, a red bump develops which can get covered with tiny blisters; these ultimately break or weep, and then crust over. The sore may feel painful or uncomfortable until the scabbing has healed.

A water blister caused by herpes type 1.
A water blister caused by herpes type 1.

Genital herpes symptoms may be slightly different, but they also may begin with fever, achiness and swollen lymph nodes, especially in the groin, and particularly during a first herpes outbreak. Any part of the genitals could be affected, and the herpes could occur inside or outside of the vagina, the anus, on the testicles, the buttocks, or on the penis. Sometimes infections occur in the groin or thigh area and are misdiagnosed as jock itch.

Genital herpes can affect any part of the genitals including the testicles and penis.
Genital herpes can affect any part of the genitals including the testicles and penis.

Like herpes on the face, herpes on the genitals usually start with the tingling sensation where the infection will break out. Those who have this condition and know it are strongly advised to pay attention to this symptom. It heralds an outbreak and means most people are contagious during this time.

After the tingling sensation passes, people might notice a clustering of blisters, which will ultimately weep, break, and scab over. The first few outbreaks a person gets may cause very painful blistering, and as people have the condition for longer, outbreaks may be less painful, though they’ll still be noticeable. The number of outbreaks is unpredictable. Some people have them frequently and others have very few.

Herpes simplex 1 causes sores to form on the lips and area around the mouth.
Herpes simplex 1 causes sores to form on the lips and area around the mouth.

One of the most important herpes symptoms that bears mention is that of contagiousness. At all times that lesions are present, people should avoid skin-to-skin contact with others. There is growing evidence that people who have this condition may be contagious at all times. Medications like Zovirax® can help lessen frequency of outbreaks and may help in preventing spread of the disease at all times.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

turquoise

Aside from itching, blisters and pain while urinating, fatigue is another common symptom of herpes. When the virus becomes activated, the immune system starts fighting it. That's why flu like symptoms can emerge, because the body is fighting a virus just as in the case of flu.

Fatigue is one of the first symptoms I experience before an outbreak. It develops along with the itching and tingling.

ZipLine

@candyquilt-- Fever is a common herpes symptom but this does not mean that everyone will experience it. Those with mild herpes may never experience fever. In fact, it is possible for someone infected with herpes to not experience any symptoms for a very long time. The virus can behave differently in different individuals. It has to do with an individual's immune system and how the body responds to the virus. So the virus may remain inactive for some time. Or it may cause few and mild symptoms that are barely noticeable.

So it's good to know about the common symptoms but realize that symptoms alone are not indicative of a herpes infection. A blood test is the only way to diagnose it.

candyquilt

Is fever a very common herpes symptom? I don't recall ever having a fever.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • A water blister caused by herpes type 1.
      By: uwimages
      A water blister caused by herpes type 1.
    • Genital herpes can affect any part of the genitals including the testicles and penis.
      By: peterjunaidy
      Genital herpes can affect any part of the genitals including the testicles and penis.
    • Herpes simplex 1 causes sores to form on the lips and area around the mouth.
      By: Marco2811
      Herpes simplex 1 causes sores to form on the lips and area around the mouth.
    • Some people do not show any major symptoms of herpes.
      By: Monkey Business
      Some people do not show any major symptoms of herpes.
    • The herpes virus may reappear during periods of high stress.
      By: Ermolaev Alexandr
      The herpes virus may reappear during periods of high stress.
    • Swollen lymph nodes are a symptom of genital herpes.
      By: auremar
      Swollen lymph nodes are a symptom of genital herpes.
    • Using condoms during sexual intercourse can prevent the spread of herpes.
      By: MarieC
      Using condoms during sexual intercourse can prevent the spread of herpes.