Regulating Initial Genital Herpes Outbreaks
June 12, 2009 by Sandra Griggs
Filed under Health Articles
Genital herpes outbreaks manifest themselves as an initial or first attack or as a recurrent condition. Following are the common symptoms that indicate initial genital herpes outbreaks.
First genital herpes outbreaks happen in people who have never shown previous exposure to the herpes simplex virus. The symptoms during a first attack are usually the most fatal because the body does not have any defense against the herpes virus.
In initial genital herpes outbreaks, the human body responds to an attack by sending antibodies to fight the virus. Specific immune cells and antibodies that are currently in the body are capable of pinpointing and regulating the virus. Sadly, the antibodies do not totally eliminate the virus from the immune system, which explains why the virus remains permanently in the body once infected.
Genital herpes outbreaks are generally milder after the production of antibodies. After several years, your body may experience lesser or zero outbreaks.
After the first exposure, the symptoms of genital herpes outbreaks begin to show within 2 to 12 days. However, it may require days, weeks, months, or years for any symptom to show itself.
Since the duration and severity of genital herpes outbreaks may vary from one person to another, it is difficult to determine the time and the carrier of the virus. Some people may have mild manifestations of the STD. In other people, the outbreak can be severe while in others there may be zero manifestations at all.
You may feel the following symptoms during first genital herpes outbreaks:
* Flu like symptoms, fever, muscular pain
* During an initial infection, blisters are more likely to be present, especially in women. They may come in various sizes and may be found in different locations, such as genitals, buttocks, thighs, and around the anus.
* Tenderness, pain, and itchiness in the skin of the affected region.
* Swelling in the affected region that is normal due to bodily reactions to the virus.
* Swelling in the lymph nodes of the groin area, which is another normal reaction of the body to the virus.
* Cervical infection and vaginal discharge is a common symptom in 80% to 90% of women experiencing initial genital herpes outbreaks.
Without undergoing any treatment, initial genital herpes outbreaks can last up to 3 to 4 weeks but in many instances, the symptoms completely disappear in a span of 2 to 12 days. If you suspect that there are symptoms of genital herpes outbreaks, consult your doctor right away.
The good news is that new methods for evaluating initial genital herpes outbreaks are now available. It is worth noting that the effectiveness of Famvir in treating initial genital herpes outbreaks have not been proven at the moment.