Genital herpes is an STD that is contracted from sexual contact with another person infected with Herpes. Herpes is a virus that once contracted, lies dormant in the body for the sufferers lifetime, and causes outbreaks of painful sores on the genitals or surrounding area.

Symptoms for herpes can vary from person to person. Some people can experience strong recurring symptoms, others can experience light symptoms, or none at all. Some people have outbreaks every few weeks, while others still only have an outbreak a few times a year. Here are some of the more common symptoms for herpes:

The most common symptom of genital herpes is the sores. Genital herpes lesions can appear on the genitals, the anus or the surrounding areas such as the buttocks or thighs. Herpes blisters can vary in size from tiny pimple sized sores, to large, coin sized ulcers. They can appear alone or in groups or lesions, and can be numerous or low in number.
Herpes sores usually swell and burst in the first few days of the outbreak, after which they will scab over and eventually heal. Herpes blisters can be very painful at worst, and uncomfortable at best.

Other symptoms can include an itching or uncomfortable rash, and a tenderness, pressure or swelling in the groin area, or swollen glands (lymph nodes). You may also experience flu like symptoms such as fever and headaches, and possibly nausea, muscle soreness or tiredness, and aching joints or limbs.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms for herpes, you should seek a medical diagnosis and treatment. Any of the above can indicate a genital herpes infection. While herpes cannot be cured, it can be controlled and outbreaks can be prevented with the right treatment.