Herpes simplex history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1], Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]

Oral herpes / Herpes Simplex 1 symptoms

1) Pain, burning or itching at the site of infection occurs even before the development of the ulcer.

2) Oral Sores/Ulcers

• Incubation period: 2 days to 2 weeks (average 4 days)
• Duration of disease: 2 to 3 weeks
• Site- Lips, gums, throat, front of tongue, inside of the cheeks and roof of the mouth.
• Size- approximately 1 to 3 mm
• Presentation- The infection starts with development of blisters that later develops into ulcers. They are usually painful and can cause difficulty in eating and drinking for the patient.

3) Fever

4) Fatigue

5) Muscle aches

6) Swollen painful neck glands

7) Painful throat with shallow ulcers on the tonsils

Genital herpes / Herpes simplex 2 symptoms

1) Genital blisters or ulcers

• Incubation - Symptoms develop within a week of skin-to-skin contact with an infected person
• Duration of illness - 2 to 4 weeks
• Site - On genitals (around the penis or vagina), anus
• Size - Approximately 1 to 3 mm
• Presentation- The blisters can occur in groups or "crops." These can be painless or painful.

2) Fever

3) Muscle aches

4) Headaches

5) Vaginal discharge

6) Painful urination