This article considers the main symptoms of herpes caused by the Type 2 virus. Herpes simplex Type 2 is the virus that is responsible for Herpes genitalis, or genital herpes. This is the type of herpes that commands most searches for information on the Internet every day, and perhaps not surprisingly as new victims surface every day as a result of having engaged in uprotected sexual activity with an infectious person.

The statistics indicating the number of people suffering from herpes are fairly shocking - with estimates suggesting that as many as 20 to 25% of adults who are sexually active suffering this highly contagious sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States alone. This represents over 50 million victims, and the number is increasing annually by another 1 million or more - or almost 2 new infections every minute, on average!

Herpes - Highly Infectious
Infection by Herpes simplex Type 2 virus occurs through contact with virally loaded fluids from a contagious sufferer. Such fluids obviously include male or female sexual secretions but can also include saliva, and the pus from weeping herpes blisters. The infectiousness of a person who harbors the virus will depend on the stage of the disease that they themselves are undergoing. It will also vary according to whether or not they are currently suffering the physical signs and symptoms of a herpetic recurrence.

After the initial infections a sufferer can experience what are called recurring bouts of Herpes outbreaks (as explained below) and during this time they may be particularly infections as they may exhibit ruptured and weeping blisters. However their symptoms amy also be barely noticeable - particularly in the case of women sufferers when blisters may be internalised and not necessarily as obviously visible as may be the case for male sufferers.

Between recurring bouts of Herpes (and recurrence may be very occasional - or even may not apparently even occur if a person maintains a healthy immune system through adopting appropriate lifestyle habits) an infected person may well neither exhibt symptoms nor will the be infectious - although for uninfected partners the regular use of barrier contraception is advised (though by no means 100% reliable - should their partner be in the shedding stage or suffering recurring herpes blisters).

Symptoms of Herpes - The Main Stages of Infection:

After engaging in sexual activity with an infected person the virus will have entered the previously uninfected person's body and then proceeds to replicate and spread throughout the system that can lead to the expression of a avriety of sympytoms. However - some people never really initially notice their symptoms occurring -- which means that they can continue to spread the disease in their ignorance of their health status.

Herpes simplex Type 2 invokes a series of 'stages' of disease development that may be summaized as follows:

Primary Stage of Herpes Symptoms:
Following infection that occurs as a result of having sex with an infected person the primary stage of disease development occurs immediately and for a number of days immediately following acquisition of of the virus. Typically the newly infected person will develop some small blisters on, around (or in the case of females - inside) their genitalia. The blisters are usually initilly quite small, slightly raised, filled with pus and appear reddened. The blisters can be ruptured quite easily and this can lead to the infectious pus being spread to other with whom the sufferer becomes initmate. They may easily get pus on their hand or fingers - and if peresonal hygiene is not scrupulous they migh also spread infection to other parts of their own body.

Without anyything other than some local soreness or minor irritation a new victime may not even realize that have any blisters - unless prompted to make a careful self examination. For men blisters may ovvur on the gland, shaft or base of the penis - or even on the testicular sac or scrotum, For women blisters may be evident around the opening of the vagina, or the area between vagina and anus, or they may not even be visible and occur internally.

As the primary stage of infection progresses a sufferer may begin to feel 'under the weather'. They may feel some discomfort when urinating, although this is not always the case. It is likely that they they may suffer low-grade fever and even feel like they have a 'touch of flu'.

Secondary Stage of Herpes Symptoms:
This is a dangerous stage for the further spread of the disease, because it does not invvolve any noticeable symptoms for the sufferer - hence it is also known as the 'Latent Stage'. This does NOT howveer mean they are uninfectious - NOR does it mean that the virus is not busy!

At this time the virus makes its way from the site of infection (where original blisters will have occurred) and moves via the blood to a group of nerves close to the spinal chord. When it reaches this site the 'host' of the virus enters the most infectious period.

Shedding Stage of Herpes Symptoms:
The Herpes simples Type 2 virus rapidly multiplies when it reaches the key nerve sites and then enters the various bodily fluids. The sufferer will still not exhibit any visible symptoms nor will they necessarily feel unwell in any way - but they will be 'shedding' the virus through their sexual fluids, and even their saliva. At this time they are highly contagious.

Recurrent Stage of Herpes Symptoms:
Various occurences may cause the infected person to exhibit the primary symptoms of herpes again. These events are referred to as recurrences. Recurring herpes outbreaks may not always be as secere as the initial event - but of course - due to the likely presence of pus filled and broken blisters the is once again a very high degree of contagiouness associated with the Recurrent phase of the disease.

Suffering from reduced immunity due to another infection, or going through a period of stress may be enough to trigger another 'flare up' of the symptoms of herpes and during these times the sufferer may again feel tired and run down and suffer additonal psychological stresses and social inhibition.

Rather like Herpes simplex Type 1 fever blisters, or cold sores, the only indication of a recurrence may be some local feeling of itichiness or tingling sensations where the blisters are about to develop. But it is essential that a differer is very careful about hygiene and it is advisable to avoid intimate contact during this period with an inifected partner to avoid acidental transmisson.

Further Herpes Treatment and Herpes Cure Information:
The stigma of Herpes infection largeky derives from its reputation as an incurable sexually transmitted disease. As with other forms of Herpes infection once you have avquired the virus there is no known cure that will completely eradicate the virus from your body. In this respect the disease is incurable. It is also the case that drug based treatments, includng anti-viral creams and other treatments (which do NOT cure, but simply alleviate symptoms) are not always suitable for everyone to take or use.

On the positive side - if the correct actions are taken - the symptoms of herpes can be alleviated quite effectively without use of drugs. It is also possible that herpes infection can be 'managed' very efectively through appropriate lifestyle and other changes such that recurrences can be kept under control.

Further information about Herpes treatment and more about virtual Herpes cures is discussed in an associated Hub Page:
Herpes Cure Info

Or you may want to refer immediately to the in depth and prescription free complete herpes relief guide that outlines the action you can take to effectively eliminate the problem of Herpes within days:
Complete Herpes Treatment Guide