The herpes simplex virus comes in two forms: herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Herpes simplex virus type 2 cause genital herpes that lead to breakouts of genital sores. Herpes simplex type 1 typically causes cold sores or blisters around the mouth but can be transmitted to the genital area by way of oral sex (oral to genital contact).
- HSV-2 (genital herpes) are commonly spread through sexual activity, such as anal, vaginal and oral sex.
- HSV-1 (oral herpes) can be spread through oral bodily fluids contacts like during kissing or with skin to skin contact with a cold sore.
Upon entry into the host body, the herpes simplex virus attach themselves chronically in the body through the nerves deep into the nerve centers (ganglia) part of spinal nerves and stays in a latent state until being “re-activated” again causing outbreak symptoms like painful blisters or sores.
What Triggers Herpes Outbreaks?
Medical doctors are still unclear why or how does the herpes virus decide when to reactivate but some studies have shown that certain factors such as trauma to the skin or various form of stress are possible triggers.
Common herpes outbreak triggers include:
- Physical stress, such as fatigue
- Emotional stress, such as depression, anxiety
- Immune suppression (can be triggered by sickness, infection, steroidal medications or surgery)
- Vigorous sex or friction to the skin during intercourse or masturbation
- Irritation or excessive sweating around the genital due to tight pants or riding a bike
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Exposure of affected area to strong sunlight or ultraviolet light
In addition to the triggers common between both sexes, women may be at increased risk of a breakout due to the additional factors:
- Menstruation
- Hormone fluctuations
- Pregnancy
Researchers have also found that foods or diets that are high in L-arginine, an amino acid can also aggravate the herpes simplex virus. This causes the virus to mutate, provoking more frequent herpes outbreaks.
Types of foods that are high in Arginine should be avoided to prevent recurrent outbreaks include:
- Nuts: almonds, walnuts, cashews and peanuts
- Grains: whole wheat, oats, brown rice and even flour products
- Chocolate
- Caffeinated liquids or beverages
What Are The Symptoms And Cycles Of A Herpes Outbreak?
In most individuals who are infected with herpes simplex virus, first primary outbreak will occur between three to fourteen days after sexual exposure with an infected partner. Prodromal symptoms of mild tingling, itching and redness may precede the actual outbreak.
Other prodromal symptoms may also include:
- Flu-like symptoms, including fever, headaches, muscle aches and swollen lymph node glands
- Burning sensation or pain while urinating
- Vaginal or penile discharge
For some patients with herpes, the infection may not progress beyond the prodromal stage or the attack may be quite mild with just a few small red bumps.
For those who go on to develop active outbreaks, symptoms such as watery blisters or small fluid lesions will start to form.
Patients with infection of HSV-1 will have blisters, commonly known as cold sores in or around the mouth.
For genital herpes in women, the blisters will develop around the external genitalia as well as in the vagina and cervix. There is also vaginal discharge and pain during urination.
For men, singular or multiple blisters will appear on the scrotum, head, foreskin or shaft of the penis. There may also be penile discharge and pain in “passing water”.
Genital herpes can also form on the thighs, buttocks or around the anus for both genders.
After the appearances of the blisters, they break down into painful ulcers which tend to ooze fluid. During this stage, the herpes virus is the most infectious.
After a day or two, the open sores will then dry, crust over forming a scab and then heal without any scarring.
For recurrent outbreaks, the whole cycle from prodromal symptoms of an outbreak to healing can take about 10 days to 3 weeks. For individuals who are experiencing primary (first) outbreak, the outbreak will be the worst and the entire course of the infection may be longer and last from 3 to 6 weeks.
How Often Do Recurrent Herpes Outbreaks Occur?
Frequency of recurrent outbreaks vary for different individuals. For some lucky few, the body will build up an antibody tolerance and the disease will become perpetually asymptomatic, never to have an episode again, while others will continue to experience repeated chronic outbreaks for months and years.
Statistically, approximately 80% of the infected individuals will suffer from a recurrent (secondary) outbreak within the first 6 months of the first episode. On average, the number of recurrent outbreaks is 3 to 5 times a year depending on the general health of the patient.
Additionally, if the infection is herpes type-2, one is also 5 times more likely to experience a recurrent outbreak than a person who is infected with herpes type-1.
The good news is, over years, the frequency of outbreaks typically diminishes with time and the outbreaks become less severe. However, even if an outbreak has not occurred for a long period of time or a person become perpetually asymptomatic, the individual is still a carrier of the virus and may still be contagious to others.
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Thank you for this information. I would like you to help me please. After reading this information, I have learn that I am suffering from type 2 with a lymphonode! It had disappeared, but now I have used acyclovar but it comes back! So painful! It had taken over 2 years without suffering this, and I have high prolactin levels, pre-mature ovarian failure! By the way, I get these symptoms only when I am about to have my periods! Now due to high prolactin levels, I get terrible headaches! Sometimes general body pains, backache! To relive those pains, I use Agnus castus, and Homeopath Phos-Ac. I do not play sex, please advise me on what to do. Please help me, I am in a 3rd world country, I need your help and expertise. Can it be healed/ cured?
Thank you.
Hi. Herpes disease doesn’t have cure. It will stay in your body in your whole life but it is a manageable disease although outbreaks are really painful. I posted here some techniques to alleviate pain because I myself am also suffering from herpes disease and millions of people too.
You must see an OB to assess you and prescribe you medicines. For me, my doctor prescribed me with antiviral medications Valtrex!
Herpes stays asleep in your body called latency but they can be triggered and be awaken to cause another outbreak! They said, stress, injury, trauma, and decreased immune system can trigger the herpes virus to awake! So better watch out for your health and keep yourself healthy and prevent any source of trauma or injury to your vagina. I guess i have a bad reaction with feminine wash. My two outbreaks I had and currently having right now, both of them started some months after continuously using some feminine wash, because during the two years I stopped using these feminine wash, i never had an outbreak and it began again this time after I reused feminine wash! I guess water and soap is better! Somehow, what we have is manageable!
The pain will subside too, just bear for a while! It will heal and go back to normal! Just keep the area clean and dry. Clean it gently and use hair blower in cool setting to dry it! Take care of your immune system too! Don’t worry, as time pass by, the outbreaks will be less! Since our body will also develop immunity against this virus!
i had cold sore around my vulva,i went for test(wound culture) and was told its stap aureus. i took some antibiotics, it healed and now its back after one week. wat do u think it is.
ur article is very xplicit and educative. unlike others. tank u.
Thank you for the information!! I have had herpes for years and haven’t had many problems, however, after joining a gym and working out several days a week have been plagued with continuous outbreaks. This is the first site I’ve found that has mentioned physical stress being associated with outbreaks.
Thanks for the info!!
Thanks for the lesson as I was wondering what is happening in my body, unfotunately our physician provide the wrong medications
I have had herpes for 6 years. My first outbreak was the worst and was on my thighs and outer labia and inner labia and clitoris. Very tiny blisters. Very painful and lasted several weeks. I started the acyclovir treatment immediately, and never quit taking it. I have never had another out break, but my lymph nodes sometimes get swollen. I eat mainly a vegetarian diet, and no gluten. I rarely drink alcohol, but frequently indulge in coffee and chocolate. Daily. I have found NEEM OIL to be very helpful in preventing giving hsv to my partner. If I feel “burny and tingly” I use the neem oil, refrain from sex, and wear cotton underwear. I avoid stress and exercise regularly. I never have gotten another outbreak. I also use Jason cranberry body wash in hopes the antioxidants will keep my hsv at bay. I have had three major surgeries and had to get off of all of my medications and still have not had another outbreak.
Hi iv suffered with Herpes from Which i get in my mouth and my body iv tried alot of different things to help me iv tried early menopause thinking it would help iv tried different medication like steroids they help but caused me other problems i do take acyclovir to help it clear up but it always last 2-3 weeks iv had this problem since i was 24 can anyone tell me what treatments you found helps you thank you
Valtrex works! Talk to your primary physician.
Curious, were you ever given a blood test to see in fact if this was HSV 2 or even HSV 1? Or was your diagnosis based off a visual exam. I ask because from what I’ve read it is very rare for you to never have another outbreak even with all those precautions and preventative measures. I had what I assumed to have been a primary outbreak over a year ago and have no had any symptoms since (absolutely no outbreaks thereafter), never had a diagnosis and I have never been on antivirals-had I had reoccurrences no doubt I would be but I haven’t. Now I’m starting to think maybe this was something completely different than what I originally thought, because like you I haven’t had any symptoms since the presumed primary outbreak.
I was diagnosed with herpes 21 years ago and never had a reoccurrence, until now. My Dr. Back then said some people don’t have occurrances all the time and others do.
I have hsv1 I usually dont get outbreaks maybe once every 2 years I tested negative for everything else, my problem is that my penis and my head of penis has been swollen for about 8 months now and when I get erect the head of my penis has little red rash that is being pushed up by my erection nothing comes out no puss no pain have been to 4 urologists and two dermatologists they are all telling me its not herpes and that its nothing I have had sex with my girl and she has nothing on her vagina no rash or anything…. does anyone know why my penis and my glands is swollen and red in some spots when not erect and why I get a rash on my glands when erect???? Please help
You probably contracted HPV or the Human papillomavirus. Just about every sexually active person on this earth has that virus.
I was given herpes by being raped and now i have to live with this for the rest if my life. So i live to educate these young teenagers that love isn’t what a man or women says to you. Ive been living like thus for 21 yrs. I have a loving husband and two children but it wasn’t easy to get there. Take care of yourself.
All this info is very helpful. I go to the gyno tomorrow to know if I have this very scary thing happening to me. I feel like as if my world has turned upside down on me. Knowing there is support out here makes me feel A LOT better,but knowing I may have this makes me feel like I cant live on. I have come into contact with the people and when I am told they(guys) are having no symptoms Im getting mixed feelings….somebody please help me get through this….
some people never have symptoms, most do not know they have it, and also people are not honest. take a break from sex for a while and take care of yourself , when you resume use protection. hope your feeling better.
Thanks for the advice… I have type 2 and had it for 4 years now. I didn’t have a outbreak for 2 years. Then in April they started. I always worked out, ate healthy, and keep everything up. I had sex then week later it started. Then I had another in May and now again this month. I went from being fine to bam! I had sex then shorly after i flared up again. What am I doing wrong? This hasn’t happened before. After reading, I noticed I have been going thru a lot of stress. Is this normal to go from zero to having them this often? I was working out just now and started feeling it. Is my immune system that low? Help please. Thanks
Unknow – yes sex can cause it from being dry and also rubbing. Use lubricant if it happens. Otherwise make changes in stress level, diet, sleeping habits, alcohol and caffeine as all are possible factors!!
This site has been very informative!!! I’m 24 soon to be 25 and I’ve had HSV-2 for about six months. And. Break out almost every single month until lately. This site has given me some new ways to manage it. Thanks!!!
The cure is in the name. I kissed a girl as a teenager who had cold sores and have had them myself every year since when I have been in strong sunlight. There is a simple treatment. When you start to feel that tingly feeling on your lips and a small lump begins to form under the skin, apply a cold pack to the area (like ice in a wet cloth / cotton bag or a bag of frozen peas) and hold it in place for several minutes. Repeat this several times till the lump goes down. I found by doing this the eruptions, sores, scabs and ulcers were avoided completely. Prevention is better than cure. The cold pack assists even after the eruption commences. Do not put ice directly on the skin or it will “cold burn” which causes more damage. Great article by the way.
I was infected with type 1 in my genital area last October…. it was very painful… i cried like a baby for 4 days knowing that i’m 31…I am married and have a 4 yr old daughter… at first i was even afraid to get near any of my family members: i had my own bathroom, my own washing machine, and my own closet.That was really frustrating… I even spoke seriously with my husband of whether or not he would like to continue his life with an infected woman… fortunately he reminded me of the ” for better or for worse” and said that he will not leave me whatsoever. I read several articles about hsv where it said that the outbreaks are frequent the first year and become less frequent with time…. I knew that stress was a main cause for the repeated outbreaks which i luckily didn’t have…. i drink caffeinated beverages a lot in addition to that my career as a teacher is stressful…. should i consider myself blessed or lucky? or will i expect outbreaks anytime soon?
Thank you for your time…
Hello all. I was diagnosed with hsv2 in December. I am twenty years old and currently in college. I slept with one wrong person and bam, I am not hsv2 positive. They swabbed my outbreak and confirmed it. The following month I had my second breakout, which wasn’t as bad as the first. Then in February I experienced my third breakout with just one small bump so I called my gyno and set up an apt. My gyno then prescribed me to valtrex for three months straight. This drug would randomly interact while I was consuming alcohol and I would get a rash from my chest all the way up on my face. It felt as though I was swelling up. While taking this drug I experienced pain and twitching while laying down, I don’t know if this is from anxiety or what the cause of this was, but I stopped taking the valtrex at the beginning of June. At the end of June/beginning of July I experienced an outbreak. Now it is the beginning of August and I am experiencing an outbreak with just one small sore on my clitoris. I do tend to drink alot, my diet is never spot on and fluctuates, and I workout at least 4 times a week. Do you think that these factors could be a main cause as to why I am having recurring breakouts? I tend to stress alot and over think everything so maybe this is causing it as well? I would really appreciate some feedback because I am not sure what to do! Thanks.
Hi there, I do believe that alcohol is a big factor. I’m not drinking anymore, but when I was and get drunk I had about 50-80% chances of having an outbreak. Try observing yourself while making different adjustments. Tea tree is also a great aid. Good luck, and stay positive!
I am consuming this preserved dried figs and preserved dried mangoes for the past few weeks, and I think the preservative or the ingredient coated on the surface somehow triggered an outbreak of cold sore on the lips when this compound came into contact with my lip.
During this period, my cold sore broke out very often, and the latest outbreak is the 2nd in a week. I think the chemical compound found in such food preservation / preparation triggered an outbreak.
This is not the first time i arrived to this conclusion. I used to consume dried preserved mango long time ago, and cold sore seemed to come out more often when I was eating such items.
I am from Singapore, and the ingredients used for dried fruit preservation is common for Asian countries like China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. It may differ from the European countries.
Hope this helps.
It’s the sugar that triggers it as well as many factors. There’s lots of sugar in mangoes.
I recently contracted the virus after having protected intercourse. My partner didn’t know he was infected and has never had an outbreak. I, on the other hand, experienced an excutiating outbreak on my labia after having an allergic reaction to a hair removal cream (wouldn’t wish that pain on my worst enemy). The initial outbreak lasted about a week. It’s been two months and I’m in the midst of a second one which is much more bearable. I will say that vigorous sexual activity does tend to aggravate area. Know that you can never be too careful. I hope this helps.
My 35 yr old son has been suffering for years with itchy hands that become blisters that are infected & then crust . We were told it’s a form of dermatitis. However, this has now started to happen to his mouth. He can be fine during the day, go to bed & wake up with a hugely swollen mouth & blisters oozing pus & blood. It exhausts him & takes days to clear. The hospital has put him on antibiotic drips & taken swabs. They said he has Herpes Simplex but he has an loutbreak almost weekly! He is a vegetarian , takes lysine daily, plenty of vitamins especially B group but he is sick again this week. He is a tiler so has to be careful not to get dust on his mouth. His hands swelled up late last week & they were clearing when he woke up with a severe outbreak on his mouth. He rarely takes time off work but has been off all week this week as he’s so infected. I research constantly to help him get well , can anyone help please?
I started with a shingles rash on my back one year ago. afterwards i keep getting a blister in the same spot at the top of the crack of my buttocks. recently my husband is getting blisters on his genitals now were both taking Valtrex. he had been having cold sores on his lips for many many years before this started. lately everytime we have intercourse he breaks out then I get that same blister again. what can we do to stop the outbreaks? I had been eating a ton of almonds and stressed out with working 2 jobs and taking classes. having hot flashes at night too ! no more almonds for me and I resigned from one of my jobs. I hope this stops soon I feel so bummed out. any suggestions?
so I am a little nervous because I keep reading about how herpes can be small red bumps and over the last few months i have been getting pimples on my buttocks and today i woke up and it was like i broke out over night on my butt. they arent in clusters and do not itch but the whole area in general feels a little tingly and im not sure if its actually tingly or if its because i put medication on the pimples. does this sound like herpes to anyone? Im so freaking out that I maybe have herpes. I also dont have any other symptoms of herpes, like flu like symplotoms or pain when urinating.
A little over a month ago, I woke up in the morning with an erection and felt a very small bump on the head of my penis, I was about to leave for the gym, but I freaked out almost as soon as I noticed it so I popped what little bit I could, and a puss like substance came out which was not much at all. It didn’t scab over and I experienced no pain afterwards or when I showered. It’s now just a little bump you can barley see it’s been there for a little over a month isn’t red, hasn’t hurt or irritated me at all. You can’t even notice it unless I have an erection but then still is hardly noticeable. I’ve noticed even what seams like a few even smaller little bumps that are even harder to see. I haven’t had any sexual intercourse in 6 months and I’ve never had any sort of sores on my genital area. I work in the heat a lot and I work out 6 days a weak. I freak out about these kind of things. If you might know what I’m experiencing I would really appreciate some input.
You may have an ingrown hair that keeps reoccurring. Were you ever flu like with this? Lower back pain? Muscle fatigue? These are all symptoms of herpes prior to a breakout although may last through a breakout. Bottom line is if it worries you, you should go to the doctors and get tested. Good luck.
Today I found I got herpes from a guy I slept with on 2 separate occasions but weren’t even a week apart. The last time we had sex I did a rush job of shaving and then went straight to his place. A few days later, maybe a week or so I noticed bumps bw my butt cheeks and assumed they were razor bumps. Then it started to hurt do I looked up ingrown hairs. I couldn’t see the bumps but they progressively felt worse. I had a feeling it could’ve been an std but not anything as permanent as this though. The guy claims he’s clean and has never had an outbreak and that he was checked and was negative for everything. I wouldn’t doubt it bc a lot of people say they’ve never had an outbreak but still, I feel so betrayed. He says hes going to get tested but he thinks I got it from someone else. There’s no way bc I slept with someone 2 weeks before him and had no symptoms but a few days after we have sex I magically get them? That’s not coincidence. What I don’t understand is that the sores aren’t by my vaginal area or my mouth. Just bw my butt cheeks and we didn’t do anal. I can’t even clean my butt properly after using the bathroom without it moving further up. I need tips to prevent it from spreading whether its using the bathroom, cleaning the area, help relieve symptoms. I’m completely lost and I feel like I’m going to spread it to other parts bc of my lack of knowledge on how to manage it.
I had my initial outbreak on my butt cheek too, nothing else happened except I got what felt like a really bad case of thrush. I got 3 blisters in a row on the inside of my butt cheek, and they burned like hell to the point where it was agony to sit down. After that it all settled down, I don’t seem to get outbreaks unless I overdo alcohol.
Symptoms usually shows up about 2 wks after infection so it is possible you could have gotten it from your first encounter and passed it on to him, but hopefully not. The only way to know is if he get a blood and it reveals he’s negative for the HSV . Herpes is also spread through skin-to-skin contact.
Unfortunately, you could have been carrying it for weeks/months/years without ever having an outbreak and it really could have been bad timing. He may also have been carrying it for some time and have never had an outbreak. You could have had it before he did, you never know. This infection is horrible, and I’ve had approximately 8 outbreaks in my first 6 months. This last time, only 6 days apart from the last. I’m furious, angry, upset, and betrayed as well. I hope someone comes up with some miraculous drug to help make it NEVER SEEN AGAIN.
I’ve had HSV for about 2 years now and have tried acyclovir 400, 800, and famcyclovir, and still get recurrent breakouts at least every month, I’m pregnant now and I want it under control so I can have a natural delivery, but nothing seems to help and no one seems to have answers, I get breakouts on my underwear line, knee, butt cheek, back of my shoulder… mine is so weird and I can’t find anything about it…
Question? I’ve never had an outbreak up until August 2015 it was confirmed September 18. My husband has HSV1. So my question is if my husband has had cold sores in the past and every now and then, does that mean its herpes? Second thing I have HSV2 – he did go down under and the next day I broke out with blisters in my genital area. I never had cold sores or any symptoms, did my husband give them to me?
Hey there,
Thanks for the information. I was diagnosed with HSV-1 about a week ago. I have a few questions. First, I’ve gotten a large, single red bump on the shaft of my manhood. It does not blister, and typically disappears within 3 days. However, it re-occurs ever time I masturbate. I’ve also began using a new lubricant. I’m wondering if this is HSV-1 (do herpes sores have to blister over to be considered a sore), or just a byproduct of irritation?
Second, I’m trying to be as cautious as possible with other people. As such, if I have HSV-1 and they do as well, am I okay to performs oral sex? I read that the body builds an immunity once exposed and won’t spread thereafter with new exposure.
Thanks!
I presently have a primary outbreak above my lips and two small ones over my lips too. I can’t recall any itchy sensation when they started. What I am concerned about is how many times will I have to face this. Every time I fall ill , like if I have fever also will I have another outbreak. How do I control it.
Peppermint essential oil is effective against herpes, even the strain that is resistant to aclyclovir. See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13678235
Hi I have HSV 1 and 2. I was diagnosed shortly after turning 19 and arriving to my first duty station it’s been hard. I’m 22 now but I handle it a lot better now. Just wanted to let you guys know that indoor cycling or spinning can cause an outbreak and it’s actually worse than usual.