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]

Herpes Simplex 1/Oral herpes symptoms

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

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
• Other features - The infection starts with development of blisters that later develop into ulcers. They are usually painful and can cause difficulty eating and drinking due to the painful ulcers.

3) Fever

4) Fatigue

5) Muscle aches

6) Swollen painful neck glands

7) Painful throat with shallow ulcers on the tonsils.

Herpes simplex 2/Genital herpes symptoms

Herpes infection can recur even after successful initial treatment. The first episode is usually longer (two to four weeks) more painful and severe than the subsequent/recurrent episodes.

1) Genital blisters or ulcers

• Incubation - Symptoms develop within a week of skin-to-skin contact with an infected person
• Duration of illness - 2to 4 weeks
• Size - Approximately 1 to 3 mm
• Location - On genitals (around the penis or vagina), anus
• Other features - 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