I think I may have acquired genital herpes. Will the lesions become painful?

No one ever forgets an acute genital herpetic outbreak. 


The sores are tender to touch and even urination is painful. In those who are liberal in their sex life and acquire an anal infection, the feeling is like a hot-burning needle around the rectal area- in fact quite painful and pooping is almost impossible. 


Any thoughts of eroticism and sexual intercourse are always absent because of the pain.


For men, blisters occur at the tip of the penis and cause difficulty with urination and even wearing tight undergarments can be very uncomfortable. Of course, men have the same degree of pain as women.

Is herpes forever? Part 2

Type 1 herpes simplex virus is quite common in the North American population. Estimates indicate that close to 90% of the North American population may have this virus. The majority of individuals only have a sub clinical infection – meaning no symptoms. The virus is almost always acquired in childhood and often presents sub clinically. Only about 1:100 children develop a full blown herpes simplex infection around the mouth. When an adult develops the infection, it is most likely due to reactivation of the virus.

In adults, most individuals have a prodromal period- meaning that there are no obvious symptoms but just a feeling that something is not right. The initial symptoms in most individuals with herpes simplex are either a lack of sensation or a tingling feeling around the lips.

Herpes simplex virus is easily acquired and highly contagious. For some known reason it has a great affinity for the mouth and lips area. Occasionally the same herpes 1 virus will infect the gums and sometimes the eye. Herpes simplex lesions on the mouth are often known as fever blisters or cold sores.

The lesions are small blister like and contain fluid. In the unfortunate individual, the herpetic lesions may also occur in the presence of wounds infections. Numerous adults are exposed to herpes virus but less than 10% actually develop the painful sores.