Herpes is a viral disease that is increasingly common. In the US one out of every four women are infected with the herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and one out of every five men. Approximately one million Americans become infected each year.

Most people with herpes are not having signs of herpes. Sometimes the signs may not become visible for months or years. About 80% of those with herpes are unaware of being infected.

Some of the female signs, or symptoms, of genital herpes, as well as male herpes symptoms can include painful red dots or tiny blisters on the genitals, swollen glands, fever, and body aches. Other symptoms include itching, burning, tingling and leg pain. 

 Blisters, or lesions, can also appear on the buttocks, and areas surrounding the genitals along with the penis, the vagina, the rectum, the mouth, and more rarely, the esophagus, the trachea, and even onto broken areas of skin anywhere on the body.   Wide spread rashes on the body, reminiscent of measles, with redness and swelling may also occur occasionally.

The Herpes Simplex, or HSV virus can also infect the brain in newborn babies who acquire the infection during delivery with serious medical consequences. The risks can be minimized by proper planning prior to delivery. If you or your partner have an HSV infection, consult with your obstetrician or gynecologist for the necessary precautions if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant.

After the primary infection, signs or symptoms, typically show up two to thirty days after having sex with someone who has herpes. The first outbreak of blisters is usually longer and more severe than outbreaks that may occur later. Yet the signs may be confused with a vaginal infection or rash and go undiagnosed.

After the first outbreak, the virus goes retreats into the nerves below the skin in the area where the sores first appeared. During this time, the virus does not cause symptoms and remains inactive, however, an asymptomatic person can still transmit the virus to their partner.
Once a person is infected with the virus, it remains in the body for life. In most people, the virus becomes active from time to time, causing repeated blisters and sores. In time, the outbreaks become less frequent.

While the signs of herpes may be typical and easy to distinguish, there are other diseases with similar symptoms, and different treatments.  A diagnosis should be done only by a qualified medical practitioner utilizing proper testing, such as a Herpes antibody test, or the more sophisticated and sensitive pcr (polymerase chain reaction) blood test.