Herpes

Herpes viruses mainly affect sensitive areas of skin and mucous membranes. A few days after infection, itching, burning or taut skin may be noticed. Then, blisters develop, which eventually burst and leave small ulcers behind. Swollen lymph glands, headache and joint pain are also possible. These symptoms usually disappear within two to three weeks.

But the herpes viruses have not disappeared from the body. They remain in the body for the rest of your life and can become active again at any time, causing new herpes blisters to develop. This can happen when you are stressed or when the body is weakened by another illness.

Herpes is normally painful, but not dangerous. If the infection spreads to the eyes, however, it may threaten your sight. In rare cases, the virus can also affect internal organs, the nervous system or the brain.