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 Signs and Symptoms of a Cold Sore
Before a cold sore appears the area will sometimes tingle, feel slightly raised and may appear red and inflamed. This pain or tingling sensation is called the prodrome (or warning symptom) and typically occurs 1 to 2 days before the cold sore appears.
A cold sore generally appears as a small, fluid-filled blister which goes through a cycle of phases. The blister will usually weep (ulcerate) and form a scab or 'crusting' before healing and disappearing completely. The duration of a typical cold sore outbreak may last from 8 to 12 days.
Signs and Symptoms of Genital Herpes
- Itching, tingling, or burning sensations
- Muscle aches or pains near to the area
- A blister, cut, tear, sore, bump or rash in the infected area
- Vaginal or penile discharge
- Burning and/or pain when urinating
- Flu-like symptoms such as headache, fever and swollen glands
Herpes and Cold Sore Pictures: http://herpes-coldsores-treatment-pictures.com
Herpes Incubation Period (time before symptoms show)
The herpes virus can lay dormant for various time periods and may be in your system for a time period before any symptoms begin to show. The usual incubation period of the virus (time before any symptoms show) is approximately two to twelve days after the first exposure to the virus.
However, there are many possibilities. Some people never experience active symptoms and others may not experience a recognizable outbreak for several months or even years after exposure.
What is a “herpes outbreak”?
Most of the time when herpes symptoms are not present on the skin the virus remains in a latent (sleeping) state in the central nervous system, where it does no damage.
When the virus reactivates (wakes up) it travels nerve paths to the surface of the skin, sometimes causing what is known as an “outbreak” or episode of symptoms.
When and where can outbreaks reoccur?
The first outbreak is normally the worst and many people do not experience a recurrence until months and sometimes even years after their first primary outbreak.
If and when a recurrence does happen it is sometimes related to a time when the immune system is weakened or under pressure, such as after an illness, during times of stress, due to a poor lifestyle, surgery, etc. In the case of cold sores, sometimes being in the sun can cause a recurrence. It is different for everybody.
During the body’s first exposure to the herpes virus, the immune system develops antibodies and other weapons against the virus. During a recurrence, then, this "immune memory" can help to fight off infection more quickly.
As a result, as time goes on there are usually fewer sores, they heal faster, and the outbreak is less painful. Some people never experience another recurrence, which is often attributed to a strong immune system response.
Nerves can have many ‘axons’ which is why the herpes virus can travel different pathways to your skin. This is why outbreaks may naturally appear in different areas "nearby" to one another.
However, each nerve has a particular area of skin that it serves called a dermatome. The herpes lesions are limited to the dermatome it initially infected unless you infect yourself somewhere else.
This means that the outbreaks are limited to the body area where the infection exists (for example, the genital area) unless you contract or spread the infection somewhere else.
The nerves in the genitals, upper thighs and buttocks are connected; therefore, in the case of genital herpes a person could experience outbreaks in any of these areas. Such areas include the vagina, vulva, penis, scrotum, anus, buttocks and thigh.
Although the above scenario is possible, if the virus reoccurs it typically surfaces in the same spot or directly nearby the ‘original’ site of infection.
Outbreak triggers
Herpes and cold sore outbreaks will have different patterns for different people.
Although it is not known exactly why the virus reactivates at various times, both physical and/or psychological factors can bring on an outbreak.
Physical factors differ from person to person. Any one or combination of the following factors might sometimes, but not always, induce an outbreak:
- Being run-down
- Suffering from other genital infections (affecting the local skin area)
- Menstruation Cycle
- Pregnancy
- Drinking a lot of alcohol
- Exposure of the area to strong sunlight
- Conditions that compromise a person's immune system (where the body's immune system is not functioning normally)
- Prolonged periods of stress
- Fatigue
- Ultraviolet light
- Friction or damage to the skin, caused by, for example, sexual intercourse, may also lead to a recurrence
- Skin irritation (such as sunburn)
- Surgical trauma
- Diet and certain foods
- Another illness (especially with fever)
- Temperature extremes
- Steroid medication (e.g., asthma medication, hydro-cortisone and all cortisone based creams)
- Anything that lowers your immune system or causes local injury can trigger recurrences
Some psychological factors:
- Emotional upset and stress
- Periods of prolonged stress can cause more frequent recurrences
- It is also common to experience stress and anxiety as a result of having recurrences
Many of these factors are associated with time periods when a person's immune system is weakened or stressed. This makes the body more susceptible to the virus and therefore more likely to experience an outbreak.
What should I do if I think I have herpes?
If you suspect that you have herpes and have not had your condition diagnosed it is important that you visit your health care provider as soon as possible for a professional analysis.
Genital herpes can be mistaken for many different conditions and should always be diagnosed professionally.
To locate an STD Clinic in your area visit http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/support
Where to Now?
- What Herpes Looks Like
- Herpes Tests
- Herpes Blood Test Results
- Cold Sore Information
- Genital Herpes Information
 Talk about it on the "Herpes Discussion Forum"
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