Herpes Simplex Virus 2 or HSV-2 is commonly known as genital herpes. Initial genital herpes symptoms can cause genital aches, pain, burning, tingling, sciatica (ache down one leg), and flu-like symptoms.
Symptoms may also include headache, fever, body ache, and feeling tired and irritable, which leads to a small cluster of blisters forming on the vagina, penis, or between the cheeks of the buttocks and, if female, possible vaginal discharge. Not all breakouts are the same.
Some individuals suffer only one outbreak, while others suffer repeated breakouts and even back-to-back breakouts. Some individuals have hardly any symptoms or only 1-3 tiny blisters that don't give them much trouble. Others may have several large, oozing sores that cause more fear, pain, and grief than you can imagine. Well, maybe you can.
The number of outbreaks is most significant in the first year, with breakouts becoming less frequent and severe over time, but not always. Ongoing stress can make herpes an absolute nightmare. Consecutive breakouts tend to appear in the same general area of the body as the first outbreak.
Genital herpes may also appear higher up across the hip, upper buttock, and lower back, which is sometimes confused with shingles but is known as Sacral Herpes, and it can be quite painful, like Shingles. Breakouts can be extremely itchy and painful, lasting 2-3 weeks.
Some people experience map-like areas of redness or small rash-like bumps occurring over other areas of the body, which come and go and never really blister. There may be a rash or a type of itch that feels like spider webs are dragging across the skin or fleas biting the skin, an allergic irritation called Pruritus. Pruritus can be felt all over the body, the head and face, arms and legs, and trunk. Prescribed antiviral medications can be a direct cause of pruritus.
Herpes blisters usually appear within 1 to 3 weeks of exposure to the virus. It can take up to 3 days for blisters to form and erupt from the onset of the prodromal phase. The prodromal phase is when the virus is shedding and exhibits the first signs of tingle, itch, and ache.
Symptoms usually last 7-10 days for cold sores and one to two weeks for genital herpes (HSV~2). There are cases of cold sores lasting for up to 6 weeks. Healing can take longer in immune-compromised individuals.
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