Herpes Simplex Virus (oral & genital herpes) en español
What are the symptoms, & how is it diagnosed?
The symptoms of herpes depends on the site of disease:
Oral herpes (cold sores): Sores around the mouth and nostrils. They
may itch or be painful. They might look like the sore in this picture:
Genital herpes: Sores on the penis in males or near or in the vagina
in women. Genital herpes can also cause sores near the anus, including
the area between the anus and the genitals (the perianum). Sometimes,
genital herpes can cause pain when urinating or defecation. They might look like the sores in this picture:
How is herpes diagnosed?
Oral and genital herpes are well-known diseases. Most doctors and other
health-care providers know herpes when they see it. In turn, both types
of herpes can often be diagnosed—and treatment recommended— simply by examining the sores.
When in doubt, a small sample of the sore is sent to a lab for testing.
If the virus is found in the sample, a confirmed diagnosis can be made.
Because a large number of people are infected with HSV-1 and/or HSV-2,
there is no value in having blood samples tested for the presence of antibodies
to either virus. Being infected with the virus does not necessarily mean
that herpes sores will occur.
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