The Different Stages of Herpes
The stages of herpes are very important for you to learn if you are one who suffers from the virus. The more you understand, the better you will be able to handle the outbreaks as they come.
Not everyone experiences this virus in the same way, but it does follow general stages.
Some people feel flu like symptoms at first. They may not even realize their illness is as a direct result of herpes! Not everyone experiences this stage, so just be extra careful if you have herpes and feel like you may be getting the flu.
To start off, you may develop redness in a certain area of your skin. This area can become quite itchy and even sore to the touch. Additionally, the area may begin to swell.
This early stage is sometimes not even noticed by the person who is having the outbreak. As they become more and more common, you will get to know the signs your body is giving you.
Then, the area may start to develop small blisters. These blisters may be filled with fluid. They can also be quite painful. When the blisters get full enough, they may burst and become like ulcers.
They scab over, which may make you want to peel off the scab. Do not do this! Scabs are there for a reason. While this is not one of the most pleasant stages of herpes, it is essential.
As these scabs get harder and harder, new skin grows right underneath the scabby area. If you’ve peeled the scab off this skin doesn’t have the same chance to grow.
Herpes lesions often heal over with no visible scarring. If you peel and pick at the scabs, they may leave a scar. Since you may get herpes outbreaks for the rest of your life, the last thing you need is a collection of scars from every outbreak you’ve ever had!
The best thing for you to do is learn the signs your body is giving you. If you catch an outbreak during the early stages of herpes, you will have an easier time with it.
You’ll also want to know the signs of herpes because you are more likely to pass the virus to others if you are having or are about to have an outbreak.
The stages of herpes are certainly not pleasant. But, the more you learn about them, the better chance you have at treating the virus. It is possible to have a normal life with herpes if you do your best to learn all you can.
That was very helpful. I was rape and got herpes and i thought my life was mess up i was even thinking about killing myself. But this was very helpful. Thanks.
I have had the virus for a year; I’ve only had outbreaks two times; the initial time and one time after. I wasn’t sure that I had it for sure until I got tested a second time. I feel like I will be single for the rest of my life; I’m a bad role model for my daughter and my life would be better if it were to end.
This has helped me figure out the symptoms to on set; even though some of the symptoms I’ve never had; such as the scabbing and bursting blister; I’ve just had the redness and the soreness; and it’s always one sore. I don’t know how to move on with my life; do you have any suggestions?
Does everyone experience the scab stage, cause i never get that far.. only up to bumps present. then it goes away.
@Sarah: At least 50% of my outbreaks do not experience the scab stage. Many of my outbreaks are a cluster of blisters that are more like a rash in that they are definitely a herpes outbreak but do not break and are never open. The single herpes blister is the worst for me. It seems to be deeper in the membrane/tissue, contains fluid, scabs and takes longer to heal. These single blisters occur for me after extreme stress.
Good luck!
Nanci
your life will go on. I just recently found out i had it, met a new guy, and he has no problem with it at all!!
i have red bumps in my genital.. its like herpes but its not like with a yellow in the middle of it.. its not itchy.. is HERPES so dangerous? hmm.. im afriad.. herpes is incurable!!.. only the red bumps i have… is that totally a HERPES? guys?
i think i might have herpes, for the past few days ive had a itchy red area right above the base of my penis. i had sex with a new partner unprotected like 4 months ago and this is the first thing that i have noticed. but all the things ive read said that the beakouts happen within the first month. Is there any one who’s outbreaks have taken longer than 3 months to occur?
im not sure if i have herpes but i have theses stange bumps around the head of my penis and get cold sores every now and then does this mean i have herpes?
and please someone awnser me cuz im clueless right now and scared for my partner
how do u no u have an outbreak cuz i think my gf might of got it
@ J and Dante and Jun: You really should get tested to know for sure. Dante, herpes can stay dormant for quite a while…I think i got my first outbreak two months after unprotected sex and i didn’t have any symptoms of herpes except 3 tiny bumps and a very slight itch. They didn’t hurt at all, i didn’t have flu-like symptoms, there was no smell, etc. They only reason I noticed the bumps was because I randomly decided to check myself out.
I was just diagnosed about 1 day ago and I feel horrible about myself. I don’t know how to tell my boyfriend. I’m so scared. He told me he loved me just recently too. I don’t want to ruin a good thing, but I think this will. How do I tell him? And I don’t really know how to feel okay with having herpes. I feel disgusted with myself and everytime someone tells me that I am pretty or beautiful, I think to myself, “You wouldn’t say that if you knew the truth.” How do I get over this frame of mind? I know this sounds horrible, but I feel like an outsider now, an outsider that will never fall in love.
I know how you feel. I have had it for 5 yrs and Im still not ok with it. I always feel like its a bomb that will eventually blow up in my face. The thing that scares me 2nd most in life is to find out I ever end up giving it to someone else. I finally had a girl I totally digged and thought we had crazy chemistry freak out when I told her. Pretty much stopped everything in its track. It’s funny. Every girl since I got it never seemed to have a problem and I always try to be as careful as possible but when I meet one I totally dig, she bails. Now Im just so scared of trying to meet anyone because I know I will have to have “that” conversation eventually. I always am self conscious now. I always feel there’s something wrong with me. Now I am so afraid of trying to put myself out there..
the best way to think of it is to put it all in perspective…the bare bones of it, herpes is just a tiny little bug, if a boy breaks up with you over that, than it really shows how shallow he really is, and NOT someone who you want in your life. i know it sounds a bit strange, but remember that everything in life has a reason for happening, it may be hard to accept that herpes is a “blessing” but it may keep you from dating someone who ends up giving you aids (much worse than herpes!) anything like that, just think about it, and be grateful that all you have is herpes and not cancer, and not blindness, and not any life threatening disease.
when it comes down to it.
herpes is a little bug
and it wont rule your life.
i mean seriously! you think i am going to let some little microorganism keep me from someone i love? everything happens for a reason. thats all there is to it. be calm, and live.
I recwently found out I have herpes and was wondering if anyone through experience has found something to help preventing or shortening breakouts… I think I’m making it worse with hot water but it is so itchy!
I was 5 monthes pregnant with my twins, when my boyfriend of two years infected me. I asked him why didn’t you tell me. He said he didn’t know that he was infected. He said he had two outbreaks but didn’t know what it was. I asked my doctor how I could be with this man for 2 years without being infected. He said it is possible if he was dormant and had no outbreaks. I knew right away when I was infected. It pysically made me sick for a week. I had a fever and every bone in my body hurt. It felt like a fire down there for a 2 weeks. I went to the er where I was treated with topical jel for the blisters and valtrax. The valtrax helped me through the first outbreak but if I didn’t taking the medicine everyday it made me have more outbreaks. I stopped taking the medicine about a year after I had my children. Since then my body has got the virus under control itself. This is 5 years out. Over time your virus will go dormant when your body gets it under control. I starting and stopping and starting and stopping the valtrax medicine makes it worse. This is a hard thing to deal with but life goes on. Their are understanding people out there.
I contracted herpes when I was 18, and I am now 24. For 4 of those years I had painful outbreaks at least every month and felt like my world had ended.
For the last 2 years I’ve been free from any symptoms and outbreaks and I see things so much differently now.
Herpes is insignificant. So many people have it and even more have it and don’t even know about it.
They way I look at it is that ppl leave clinics being told they have much much worse, herpes can be treated with the right knowledge and you’ll still be able to have kids.
I set up a blog discussing how I eventually got over my outbreaks. Please check it out and leave any comments. thank you L x
I found out i had herpes AFTER i had my first baby. during my pregnacy i asked my doctor what this was (an outbreak) she told me She had never seen it before…so i never thought it was something more…i had an outbreak during vaginal birth with my first baby he was fine thank god but i was pissed when they told me 2 weeks after i had him that i had genital herpes.my outbreaks have gotten worse and worse. i was on mediCad (where they would pay for my medicine) but after i had my son they cut it off…my medicine is $187 for a 30 day precription….i cant even pay my bills by myself my boyfriend helps so tell me how i would be able to afford this.but they say i make to much money for medicaid….im in a struggle trying to get my medicine…ive had an outbreak for a week now..i hate to sit down i hate to walk because it hurts so much, i cant have sex, and i wake up in the middle of the night to take a shower because im itching so bad and burning…my life isnt over but herpes is a big part of my life…
i found out some months ago i have herpes. i felt so bad i had that cold symphtoms and i felt really bad for like 2 weeks. i got really depressed but this was just because ignorance, i’ve been reading a lot about it and right now i feel waaaay better.
i also told my boyfriend, unless it wasn’t easy. he was so kind with me, he supports and understands how i feel. also he said that is no reason to leave me. IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE HONEST especially if its about someone you care about.
take it easy, aftes a few outbreaks your gonna get the hang of it and you’ll know how to treat them. but dont hesitate to see a doctor. its better to decide what to do with the information that he gives you than deciding from something you read on the internet. not everything is trustfull.
i still have a lot of questions but some stuff no one can know (not even the doctor) Because i wanted to know how often the outbreaks would be or where would them be appearing but it depends on your body, and as you know everybody is diferent.
don’t think you’ll never have sex or fall in love, if someone loves you there wont be any problems. BUT … you’ll always have to be careful with your diet, exersise, vitamins, etc etc
hope this makes you feel better i just want to cheer you up. dont feel bad with yourself. this can happen to anybody even if you’re virgin and it’s the first time having sex, it wrong when people think it just happens to whores o slutty girls.
hope this helps you.
thank you very much if you read it completely.
danielle
I’ve been dealing with this for th past ten years. Once I was diagnosed I haven’t used treatment I stayed with my partner for 7yrs before we broke up she was ok with it through the whole relationship but the bad thing is I was only with her because she was and still the only one that knows. She was never infected I was cautious everyday. And right now I feel like I will be alone for the rest of my life sometimes I wish I can just find the perfect girl with the virus so it can be happily ever after but life doesn’t work that way. I wish every one luck!!
I found out about 3 months ago that I’ve had it and the first outbreak was TERRIBLE (fever and sore throat included). Since then, I think I’ve averaged a few minor outbreaks a month.
I haven’t taken medication for it because I’ve been trying to go the “nature” route first to see if it helped. I’ve tried the following:
L-Lysine
Vitamin C
Soaking in organic apple cider vinegar and water
Drinking organic apple cider vinegar
Putting baking soda on it so it helps to dry up the area.
I’ve been staying away from things that might trigger a breakout or make a breakout worse such as: Sugar, chocolate, nuts, stress, and caffeine.
All of these things might be the reason the breakouts don’t last more than a few days… but I don’t know. It’s certainly worth a shot for anyone dealing with it ’cause this SUCKS!!
From what i’ve been reading i think i have the herpes virus.. It’s only been a week or two but I’ve had a few clear blisters, and at one point i had a major pain, almost like burning, in my pubic area… I was so freaked out the first time i saw it, I didn’t know what to do.. I’ve been dating the same girl for the past 2 years on and off and i know she’s had other partners and the shitty thing is she doesn’t like using condoms (which should’ve been my first clue to ditch her once we broke up).. The first few days once i figured out it was the herpes virus i was depressed, just thinkin about how i’ll probably never find anyone to be with and i still don’t know what i’m gonna do, but all i know is life goes on and after the first week i didn’t think about it too much, but it’s weird because i’ve never seen her with any symptoms (blisters and stuff) But she’s the only person i’ve slept with so she’s the only one i could’ve got it from right? The first thing i thought of was to never talk to her again, i was so upset but if you think about it it wouldn’t change anything… I feel your pain everyone and trust me on this life goes on and it’s not the end of the world… And with the way science is going there could even be a cure for it in the future, who knows… I wish you all the best…
“Experience is NOT what happens to man, it’s what man DOES with what happens to him” - Aldus Huxley
I’ve been living w/ herpes for 2 years now and it is definitely hard for me. I’m so self concious now. Constantly looking at my face in the mirror to watch for sores.I constantly apply carmex to avoid them. I have watched my diet. Being careful to avoid caffeine and alcohol. This is a big adjustment for me. I have also started taking antidepressants for the stress that this has caused me I pray that one day there will be a cure for this so I can live my life comfortably and normal.
My Ex who was cheating brought me the lovely gift of Herpes right before she said she was leaving me for Mr. Herpes. nice huh, That was 8 years ago. Since then I have met and married a wonderfull woman who was very understanding and said It wasnt a big deal, to tell her, it was scary but she made it seem like no big deal. My symptoms vary. I know now how my body reacts. Any stress to the body, If I get less than 5 hours or less sleep or dont get enough to eat like when I first start a diet program I WILL BREAK OUT! I get light breakouts and HEAVY. light is just a little redness, tingling maybe a little swollen its not too bad. The down side of the light is its harder to feel it coming on so Iam worried about passing it to my wife. It kills spontinaity but I love her and dont want her to get it so you just have to go check for red spots before sex. HEAVY SUCKS! Heavy gets me down tired and achy like the flu, a big cluster of blisters that take a week and a half to pop and heal. did I say Heavy sucks, it sucks. I finnaly (after 6 years) got the nerve to go to the doctor and get Valtrex it works I never breakout!!! I used to get an outbreak once every couple months but sometimes more.
I’m a 30 year old man who has been living with herpes for 3 years. An ex girlfriend gave it to me (thanks for that!) and I’m currently having an outbreak which started today.
First time was terrible and I had the whole flu symptoms, unbelievable burning when urinating. Each outbreak since has got less and less… now I don’t even know I have an outbreak until I actually see the little sores and it’s usually done and the scabs are gone in less than a week.
Luckily my current girlfriend already had it when we met but we both discussed it before we slept together. I’ve had other partners since contracting it too and your life and sex life doesn’t come to an end. Just be honest with your partners and if they can’t handle it you don’t need them in your life anyway.
I’m holding out for a cure… in this day and age it can’t be that far off! Did you guys know that on average, 1 in 10 people are infected?!
I have been living with herpes since I was 16 and Im now 24. I have found that Valtrex really works for me.. As long as I take them daily or even once a week. I am outbreak free. The thing to remember is that everything happens for a reason. Maybe this was 1 stop away from AIDS. You never know why just be thankful it wasnt AIDS -My Mom.. My word of advice is keep up on ur information. They are trying to find a cure!!!!
I wanna know how do u know if somebody gave it to u? If ur partner has the symptoms and u never gotten the symptoms. And they say they never had it until they met u. But they have proof too. Checked a couple of months earlier before we meet. I been checked and the results say I got em
I had my first “episode” this past week and I am taking a few days off of work because it is so terribly painful. Those that haven’t had this bad of an outbreak - thank your lucky stars!! I went to the doctor and she said “this may be the worst I have ever seen”… great that’s comforting.
My symptoms were lower back pain, neck pain, no appetite, fever, chills, burning, itching, and now the blisters and swelling. (And I don’t want to drink anything because I don’t want to have to pee)
I was really depressed and confused and my doctor didn’t give me a lot of information to work with - just gave me a pamphlet. Is this tri-fold really going to answer all of my questions!? But, thanks to all of your posts I feel a little bit better and not so alone.
I just started dating someone and he is really great - I was so worried about telling him but we have been friends and always really honest. I couldn’t NOT tell him - this is a major issue. He was really understanding and was just curious as to what happens (he didn’t even know it would hurt - haha JOKE! If it doesn’t feel like knives it feels like razors.. is how I described it). It helps to just be HONEST - they NEED to be by your side and if not, they don’t deserve you.
The most important thing I realized is that we can’t dwell on “who gave it to who” - my friend kept stressing for me to ask him if he knew anyone who he slept with that he may have gotten it from. All the articles say that Herpes can be dormant for months or even years and then the symptoms may show. I could have slept with someone in college and now with a new partner my body may have decided to have an outbreak. How can I just blame him when we won’t know a definite answer anyways? Sure.. maybe he did give it to me but to keep a strong relationship, you have to be fair, and we will never know the answer - at least the issue is known within our relationship and now we can grow.
I am confused because studies say to keep the area dry (i’ve been using the blow-dryer on the cool setting whenever it burns or after the shower and it really helps), but then it recommends putting a damp cloth to make it feel better (how will that dry out the blisters). Also, I feel like I need to wear a pad as the blisters are opening, but that only leaves moisture, as well. Does anyone have any suggestions? Should I sleep on my back or my stomach?
Based on the stats of people that posted on here - very few have severe symptoms - most just have blisters - this just goes to show how easy it could be to spread it if there is little knowledge of having it.
I wish you all the best - we are all very beautiful, strong, and love-able - this is just an obstabcle on the course of life.
Let me know if you need anything.
I dont know if i have it but i have this small area that is red .no scabs or blisters it did itch at first …n im so freaked out i dont know what to do. i didnt sleep with ne one recently about two months ago…what to do!!!!
Depressed, sad, angry, hopeless, life sucks. Just found out I have HSV-2. Girlfriend must have gotten them during a break, or just straight up cheated on me. Then gave them to me. She claims she didn’t know. Whatever. Can’t believe it. Wish I could sleep until there’s a cure. I know I’ll never be as happy as I used to be. Researching everything. Sick part of me wishes everyone had to deal with this too. Trying to figure out if I even want to live with this disease
I feel the same wayike does. I got it from my boyfriend when I was 19 (I just turned 40). I believe I got it orally, he had a small cold sore but had a mustache so I could’t tell, plus I was 19 and didn’t know better. I was mad but also afraid to say anything to him. I was on the pill so I had sex without condoms for years with him and he never got it so I figured he was a carrier. Anyway, we broke up. Then when I met somebody new I was terrified but somehow found the courage to tell him. He was ok with it. Eventually we had sex without condoms and he never got it. I have outbreaks once every few years but as soon as I feel tingly I take valtrex and it goes away and is no big deal. The problem is that I stayed with him for a long time because i don’t want to go through telling anybody else and I don’t want to be alone because of it. I am afraid to get close to anyone now. I wouldn’t wish this upon my worst enemy!
I slept with a friend about 3 years ago and got what I think was my first outbreak. I had one small area of blisters and it became inflamed and I got really sick with the flu. Then I have had NOTHING since then. I have had my blood tested twice and both came back neg. I recently slept with my ex boyfriend and got a bad outbreak…he claims he has nothing. How can I get a worse one than my initial one? I believe I got in another area from him. Now I am with a new guy and don’t have the courage to tell him but already slept with him before I noticed I was getting the bumps.
Whats up whats up… I’ve had herpes for 3 years and i am 17 years old. The thing is, I didn’t get herpes through intercourse because i have yet to lose my virginity. I really am not to sure how i got it at all. I think i got it by smoking pot with other people ( groups of people sometimes) or it had to of been drinking after somebody. I don’t have breakouts really. I am always just very itchy, and when i itch myself it looks like an acne breakout wherever i had itched, or oversized pores. I have still yet to see anyone with the symptoms i have.
Yesterday I went to the doctor because I had massive blisters and coldsores on my mouth. My lips swelled to about 3 times their size and it hurts to talk. I’ve never had sex or givin a bj (15 years old). I’ve gotten like 5 hrs of sleep every igbt because the pain keeps wakig me up. I read that a high lysine diet helps, and I’m starting to take suppliments. I’m breaking out in tiny pimples all near my mouth. I’m terrified that when school starts I’ll break out like this. My mom agreed she would take me out o school if that happened. Is there anything I can do to makethis heal faster, and prevent new ones?
Thanks for reading this!!!
I was raped when I was 13 & thats when I received my very unwanted gift….the big H.I am now 53…I have had it for the last 40 years. The first few yrs I had no clue why I had a sore on my private area & why I would feel feverish….I thought it was just a part of growing up…boy was I wrong. Back then nobody talked about STDs & there was no such thing as Google. I found out I had H when I was pregnant with my first child at age 23….had to have a c-section because of a outbreak.
Now, to make a long story short….I just want all of you new comers to know….IT DOES GET BETTER with time & its not the end of the world. I have been outbreak free for the last 20 yrs now.I think the hardest part is having to have “THE TALK” with someone that you really care about & you want to have a relationship with. Some people are kool with it & other are not. My best advise is to gather & even print out as much information as you can so you will have answersto the questions that might come up when it is time for “THE TALK” Trust me….it sucks to have to tell someone & yes you may feel like you are the scum on the bottom of the lake…but WE are not scum…things happen & it is what it is….its with us for life so we just deal with it. Besides, if that person desides its not something they can deal with ….try not to take it personal…its not YOU they cant deal with…its the condition….they will walk away respecting you for telling them the truth & you can hold your head up high for doing the right thing. I have had a few very wonderful long term relationships & I did not pass it on to my partners….you just have to know your body & how it feels when a breakout is about to visit. Try to stay as stress free as you can & PLEASE do not beat yourself up over your condition & try not to hate the ones that passed it on to you. 25% of the people in this country have H & about 90% dont even know that they have it. A person can be just a carrier with no simptions at all. We all have to be responsable for our own action when it comes to sex.
For those who feel that they will never find another partner or fall in love agin…there are dating sites for those with H. You might want to check them out…..just look at all the people that are in the same boat as yourself & you wont feel so alone.
I myself have just found the man of my dreams…he is everything i have ever wanted in a partner, lover & friend. We have been talking everday for the past 5 months & we really feel eachother. We do not live in the same state…but he is commimg to visit me soon. He doenst know I have H…I didnt think it’s right to tell him over the phone or email I feel its best Face to Face. I have all my info together for when we have “THE TALK”. Eventhough I havent had a breatout in 20 yrs & very unlikely that I will ever pass it to him…..I still have to do the right thing & tell. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
Best of luck to all of you…it will get better with time…..life is still good so hang in there.