What are the symptoms of herpes simplex?

Symptoms of HERPES SIMPLEX are: (1) Skin abnormality. (2) Blisters. (3) History of herpes. (4) Blisters in my lips or mouth. (5) Facial pain. (6) Small, painful blisters. (7) Mental stress or physical exhaustion. (8) Decreased urine volume with painful urination. (9) Mouth pain

Herpes Simplex Quiz

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Learn more about Herpes simplex

Content updated on Sep 20, 2022

What is herpes simplex?

Painful blisters due to infection by the herpes simplex virus. This condition can occur on the lips (cold sores) or groin (genital herpes). After the first bout of infection, the virus lies dormant in the body. If the immune system is weakened e.g. due to lack of sleep, the virus can reactivate.

Symptoms of herpes simplex

Skin abnormality
Blisters
History of herpes
Blisters in my lips or mouth
Facial pain
Small, painful blisters
Mental stress or physical exhaustion
Decreased urine volume with painful urination

Questions your doctor may ask to check for herpes simplex

Your doctor may ask these questions to diagnose herpes simplex

Do you have any skin problems?
Do you have blisters on your skin?
Have you had herpes (oral or genital) or herpes related disease?
Do you have many sores on your lips or in the inside of your mouth?
Do you have pain in the face?

Treatment for herpes simplex

There is no cure for this condition, but it often clears without treatment. The doctor may prescribe creams or pills to speed up healing.

View the symptoms of Herpes simplex

Diseases related to Herpes simplex

References

Whitley RJ, Roizman B. Herpes simplex virus infections. Lancet. 2001 May 12;357(9267):1513-8. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)04638-9. PMID: 11377626.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(00)04638-9/fulltext
Widener RW, Whitley RJ. Herpes simplex virus. Handb Clin Neurol. 2014;123:251-63. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-53488-0.00011-0. PMID: 25015489.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780444534880000110?via%3Dihub
James SH, Kimberlin DW. Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2015 Sep;29(3):391-400. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2015.05.001. Epub 2015 Jul 4. PMID: 26154662.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0891552015000483?via%3Dihub
Fatahzadeh M, Schwartz RA. Human herpes simplex virus infections: epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptomatology, diagnosis, and management. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007 Nov;57(5):737-63; quiz 764-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2007.06.027. PMID: 17939933.
https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(07)01045-6/fulltext
Samies NL, James SH, Kimberlin DW. Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Disease: Updates and Continued Challenges. Clin Perinatol. 2021 Jun;48(2):263-274. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2021.03.003. PMID: 34030813.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0095510821000166?via%3Dihub