Are you experiencing discomfort because of sores in your mouth or lesions in your genital area? These could very well be the signs of herpes. Herpes occurs in two forms: Herpes Simplex Type 1, oral herpes (cold sores); and Herpes Simplex Type 2, genital herpes. Although genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease, oral herpes can be transmitted to the mouth when it comes to oral sex.

But how do you know if these sores are truly indications of herpes, or signs of something else? A lot of times, especially where women are concerned, genital herpes is misdiagnosed as something else. A yeast infection, for example, or boils, or even pelvic inflammatory disease. If you're not sure, it's a good idea to do some research on this disease. Your doctor can do a test to positively identify herpes. Now, what are the signs of herpes?

The most common symptom of the disease is red bumps or blisters. They can occur in all genital areas, as well as near the urethra, anus, thighs, and buttocks. What's worse, women can develop blisters inside their vaginas. They might experience vaginal discharge, and urinating could be painful.

A first outbreak in women might last about three weeks, on average, and in men the average is two weeks. Women need to be aware that they could develop meningitis, a direct result of the first herpes outbreak. Other symptoms of an outbreak of genital herpes include swelling of the lymph nodes in the groin, headaches, muscle aches, fever, and lower back pain. If you find yourself experiencing any of these symptoms along with sores in your genital area, consult your doctor.

Unfortunately, recurring outbreaks are common. About four in five people can expect more herpes outbreaks. Most people will usually experience warning signs. The most noticeable will be pain in the areas where sores tend to develop. Consider these signs of herpes as a warning, and remember that you're very contagious at this time, even without the sores!