Recognizing The Signs Of Herpes & Treating The Virus Effectively

There are a variety of common signs of herpes. Some of them are very noticeable, such as in most cases of oral herpes, and some are less obvious, as is the case for genital herpes. Still, additional signs and symptoms of herpes can develop in the forms of ailments and illnesses such as fever and headaches.

When a person is afflicted with oral herpes, the outbreaks that are associated with the virus are usually very visible to others. The initial symtoms of herpes begin on an average of four days after a person initially comes in contact with the virus. An itching or burning sensation in, on, or around a person's mouth usually indicates the onset of an outbreak.

Shortly after these first signs begin to develop, small red bumps appear on the infected area and quickly progress into larger blisters. The blisters ulcerate, and then become scabs and remain that way until the healing process completes its course. Some accompanying signs of herpes of the mouth include the swelling of gums and lymph nodes in the neck, and a sore throat.

The genital herpes infections are usually caused by HSV-2, while oral herpes is usually a result of an HSV-1 infection. General indications of genital herpes outbreaks appear in a similar way to those of oral herpes in regards to the sores that occur on the genitals of men and women.

The signs and symptoms of herpes caused by HSV- 2 differ very slightly from those caused by HSV – 1 in that they usually cause more severe symptoms to develop as well as a higher frequency of outbreaks. Additionally, females who have fallen victim to the condition are susceptible to developing symptoms inside their vaginal cavity. This often results in the misdiagnosis of the symptoms as herpes, and in some cases, the herpes virus is not identified at all by the infected person.

In addition to the visible signs of herpes, symptoms similar to those of the flu may develop. Body aches, headaches, and fevers often develop in conjunction with the earliest indications of a herpes contraction. These signs are, in general, not associated with the virus. As a result, they are often not thought of as symtoms of herpes until the physical manifestations of the virus develop. In some cases, sufferers may develop nerve twitching in the area that is affected by the virus both prior to and during an outbreak.

In order to manage the effects of the various signs and symptoms of herpes, a vast array of treatment options are available. For most people, prescription drug treatment is the treatment of choice. Combined with an over the counter pain reliever or topical cream, this treatment method usually results in a lessening of the frequency of outbreaks, as well as a means of easing pain during outbreaks.

Natural treatments are becoming an increasingly popular way to remedy signs of herpes, as they are usually not accompanied by any additional side effects. Consultation with a doctor is always recommended before any form of treatment is used.