Herpes Symptoms

Less than half of all people with the virus get the ‘classic’ symptoms which are easy to identify: ulcers like cold sores on the penis or the vulva and around the entrance to the vagina.

For other people, the symptoms may be much more vague – just an itchy rash, for instance – or they may appear on the buttocks or thighs. Some of these symptoms can be mistaken for those of other STIs and fungal infections like thrush.

A tingling feeling before any symptoms appear is a tell-tale sign (just as it is for cold sores), but often the most recognisable thing about herpes symptoms is simply they keep coming back.

If you have any genital symptoms that come back again and again, you should see your doctor and get them checked out.