When the symptoms of genital herpes (HSV-2) show up, you might only see small red bumps or blisters. This means the virus has traveled to the surface of your skin and that an outbreak is starting.
Can herpes be just one bump? When a herpes outbreak does occur, it usually looks like a small patch of white or red bumps. At first, the blisters might just itch or tingle but in time, they’ll become irritated and inflamed. As the outbreak worsens, you might experience fever-like symptoms including headaches, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, or backaches.
Herpes blisters will swell until they burst, scab over, and eventually heal.
1
Book on our free mobile app or website.
Our doctors operate in all 50 states and same day appointments are available every 15 minutes.
2
See a doctor, get treatment and a prescription at your local pharmacy.
3
Use your health insurance just like you normally would to see your doctor.
Book an appointment
What Causes Herpes Outbreaks?
If you’re living with herpes, you are probably wondering, what triggers an outbreak? Unfortunately, it is not known exactly what causes herpes to present symptoms. Several factors may play a role, including:
Menstruation
Fatigue
Stress
Illness
Exposure to sunlight
People who have herpes can experience as many as five outbreaks a year.
For many, this can be embarrassing and downright uncomfortable. However, symptoms of herpes are manageable with the right treatment.
Read: How Long Does a Herpes Outbreak Last?
Cautions on Self-Diagnosing
The most important thing to remember about herpes symptoms is that they can be easily mistaken for other problems, including vaginal infections, bacterial infections, other sexually transmitted infections, and bladder infections.
For this reason, you should never try to self-diagnose because it’s too easy to be wrong about what your symptoms really mean.
So, how do you know for sure if you have herpes? A medical professional will use blood or tissue samples to check your body for traces of the HSV antibodies. If the antibodies are found, a doctor can prescribe antiviral medications to mitigate or even prevent herpes outbreaks.
Get Herpes Medication Prescribed Online
Common medications that treat herpes are:
Valtrex (valacyclovir)
Denavir (penciclovir)
Famvir (famciclovir)
Zovirax (acyclovir)
You can get these medications prescribed online by meeting with a board-certified PlushCare doctor. Our doctors commonly treat herpes and if you need an STD testing order, they can provide that as well.
The average herpes appointment lasts less than 15 minutes and costs less than $25. Just book, meet, and grab your prescription from your pharmacy.
Appointments as low as $20
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Talk to a Doctor about Herpes
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “More than one out of every six people aged 14 to 49 years have genital herpes.” Additionally, nearly half of all adults will contract oral herpes in their lifetime.
Because herpes is so prevalent and can lay dormant causing no symptoms, it is imperative to get tested. Just click here to set up an appointment with a PlushCare doctor today.
PlushCare makes it simple and convenient with appointments available every 15 minutes via phone or desktop computer. We also accept insurance, so most people pay under $30 for an appointment.
Read More
What are the Herpes Stages?
The Fastest Way to Get Genital Herpes Treatment Online
How to Get Tested for Herpes and Why It Matters
Sources:
PlushCare is dedicated to providing you with accurate and trustworthy health information.
cdc.gov. Prevalence of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Type 2 in Persons Aged 14–49: United States, 2015–2016. Accessed on November 17, 2020. //www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db304.htm
cdc.gov. Genital Herpes - CDC Fact Sheet. Accessed on November 17, 2020. //www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm#:~:text=How%20common%20is%20genital%20herpes,49%20years%20have%20genital%20herpes.
hopkinsmedicine.org. Oral Herpes. Accessed on November 17, 2020. //www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/herpes-hsv1-and-hsv2/oral-herpes#:~:text=The%20initial%20(primary)%20infection%20of,lips%20and%20throughout%20the%20mouth.