RAC UNILORIN e-awareness project on HERPES. DAY 3 SYMPTOMS OF HERPES

     Herpes is an infection called HSV (herpes simplex virus). The virus affects the external genitalia, anal region, mucosal surface and skin in other parts of the body.

  Herpes is a long term condition. However, many people never have symptoms even though they are carrying the virus. Most people do not experience symptoms for months or years after becoming infected. Those who do have symptoms during the initial period will usually notice them about 4 days after exposure(the average range is 2-12 days).

  Many people with HSV have recurring herpes. When a person is first infected, the recurrences tend to happen more frequently. Overtime, the remission periods get longer and each occurrence tends to become less severe.

  Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted  infection (STI) passed on through vaginal, anal and oral sex.

Genital herpes- symptoms in women

Primary infection symptoms

—Blisters and ulceration on external genitalia, in the vagina or on the cervix.
—Vaginal discharge.
—Pain and itching.
—High temperature (fever).
—Tender, enlarged lymph nodes.
—Malaise (feeling unwell).
—Cold sores around the mouth.
—Red blisters on the skin.
—Pain when urinating.

Recurrent infection symptoms
Burning or tingling around genitals before blisters appear.

Women may have blister and ulceration on the cervix

Cold sores around the mouth

Red blisters

Eventually, recurrences happen less often and are much less severe unlike the primary stage.

Genital herpes- symptoms in men
—Sores or blisters on the penis.
—Fever
—Headache
—Tiredness
—Body aches
—Swollen lymph nodes
—Itching and/or burning in the genital, anus or upper thighs.
—Sores in blisters or ulcers inside or around the anus and around the buttocks and thighs. —Meningitis
—Encephalitis
—Eye infection

Common symptoms in a man or a woman

—Cracked, raw or red areas around your genitals without pain, itching or tingling.
—Itching or tingling around your genitals  or your anal region.
—Small blisters that break open and cause painful sores. These maybe on or around genitals (penis or vagina) or on your buttocks, thighs or rectal area. More rarely, blisters may occur inside the urethra- the tube urine passes through on it's way out of the body.
—Pain from the urine  passes over the sores.
—Headache
—Backaches
—Flu, fever, swollen lymph nodes and fatigue.

   REFERENCES

1) Genital herpes- CDC fact sheet (2017, February 21) retrieved from http://www cdc.gov/std/herpes/std fact- herpes.htm

2) Genital herpes CDC fact sheet (detailed) (2017, February 9) retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/std fact herpes- detailed.htm

3) Genital herpes- diagnosis (2014, August 22) retrieved from http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Genital- herpes/pages/symptoms.aspx

4) Genital herpes- symptoms (2014, August 22) retrieved from http://www.nct.org.uk.pregnancy/Genital- herpes- pregnancy.

For questions, enquiries, feedback, you may reach us through any of the following medium;

Akinyemi Muhammed A,
Chairman, E-Project Committee,
RAC UNILORIN.
08177522712

Atanda Abdullahi Adekunle,
Project Service Director,
RAC UNILORIN.
07033803084

Ismaheel Waliulah Abodunrin,
President,
RAC UNILORIN.
08063041480

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