The only way to prevent yourself from getting the herpes virus or transferring it to others, if you already have it, is to become very familiar with the stages of outbreaks.
Most people look for visual signs of an outbreak before they have sexual relations with someone new, but you can actually get herpes from someone who shows no signs of the disease at all! If you have already been diagnosed with herpes, it is your duty to know the stages and various symptoms so you can protect those you come in contact with.
If you are worried about getting herpes or are in a loving relationship with someone who has it, then you also need to be well aware of how the disease works.
Herpes Prodome Stage In this initial stage, the very first symptoms appear as an indication that an outbreak is coming on.
The symptoms are largely felt by the person infected and include a lot of burning, itching, and possibly a prickly feeling.
The area will likely be very tender to the touch and could be quite painful.
The infected person may not feel very well during this stage, almost as if they have the flu.
They could run a fever and feel achy all over.
Symptoms are usually more intense in the very first herpes outbreak, so it may be harder to detect in some people after they have had the virus for a while.
Herpes Primary Stage This period is also called the infection stage by many people because it is the time when the irritation of the prodome stage starts to develop into visual symptoms of an infection.
The outbreak is now in full force as those sensitive, irritated areas of skin start to turn red and develop puss-filled blisters.
There can be just one blister or groups of smaller blisters.
They may feel like small red bumps in some people.
Someone infected may not notice the blisters, as it is common for them to burst rather quickly, leaving an open wounded area, or ulcer.
That wound will eventually scab over and heal.
Herpes Latent Stage During this stage, any scabs that formed will fall off and the visual symptoms will disappear.
The virus is still present in the body but is inactive and the danger of spreading the virus has been relieved.
Unfortunately, you never know how long this inactive stage will last.
Those who learn to properly care for their condition can effectively remain inactive for years at a time.
Herpes Shedding The stage of shedding offers the highest risk of transferring the virus because there are no physical symptoms and the infected person often believes they are safely in the latent stage.
Shedding means the virus is coming out of the body and can be present in semen, vaginal fluids, or through saliva.
There are no physical symptoms and the flu-like symptoms and irritations of the predome stage are not there, either.
This means the virus can be passed around without the infected person even knowing! It is commonly assumed that if someone does not have the blisters or other visible signs of herpes, they are "safe.
" Now that you know the highest risk of getting the disease is when there are no visible symptoms at all, you can protect yourself and make smarter choices about your health.
Most people look for visual signs of an outbreak before they have sexual relations with someone new, but you can actually get herpes from someone who shows no signs of the disease at all! If you have already been diagnosed with herpes, it is your duty to know the stages and various symptoms so you can protect those you come in contact with.
If you are worried about getting herpes or are in a loving relationship with someone who has it, then you also need to be well aware of how the disease works.
Herpes Prodome Stage In this initial stage, the very first symptoms appear as an indication that an outbreak is coming on.
The symptoms are largely felt by the person infected and include a lot of burning, itching, and possibly a prickly feeling.
The area will likely be very tender to the touch and could be quite painful.
The infected person may not feel very well during this stage, almost as if they have the flu.
They could run a fever and feel achy all over.
Symptoms are usually more intense in the very first herpes outbreak, so it may be harder to detect in some people after they have had the virus for a while.
Herpes Primary Stage This period is also called the infection stage by many people because it is the time when the irritation of the prodome stage starts to develop into visual symptoms of an infection.
The outbreak is now in full force as those sensitive, irritated areas of skin start to turn red and develop puss-filled blisters.
There can be just one blister or groups of smaller blisters.
They may feel like small red bumps in some people.
Someone infected may not notice the blisters, as it is common for them to burst rather quickly, leaving an open wounded area, or ulcer.
That wound will eventually scab over and heal.
Herpes Latent Stage During this stage, any scabs that formed will fall off and the visual symptoms will disappear.
The virus is still present in the body but is inactive and the danger of spreading the virus has been relieved.
Unfortunately, you never know how long this inactive stage will last.
Those who learn to properly care for their condition can effectively remain inactive for years at a time.
Herpes Shedding The stage of shedding offers the highest risk of transferring the virus because there are no physical symptoms and the infected person often believes they are safely in the latent stage.
Shedding means the virus is coming out of the body and can be present in semen, vaginal fluids, or through saliva.
There are no physical symptoms and the flu-like symptoms and irritations of the predome stage are not there, either.
This means the virus can be passed around without the infected person even knowing! It is commonly assumed that if someone does not have the blisters or other visible signs of herpes, they are "safe.
" Now that you know the highest risk of getting the disease is when there are no visible symptoms at all, you can protect yourself and make smarter choices about your health.