What Are the Symptoms of Vaginal Herpes and How is it Treated?

Vaginal herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). The disease is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person or with "sex toys" that have come in contact with the virus. Symptoms of vaginal herpes can vary, and although some symptoms that arise can be very uncomfortable, the majority of women infected are not aware that they are infected. Unfortunately, this means they are unlikely to seek immediate medical attention and are more likely to spread the virus to a sexual partner.
Early symptoms of vaginal herpes are simply signs that the body is working to find an infection. These symptoms appear within two weeks of transmission of the disease and can include, but are not limited to, burning or itching sensations in the genital area, pain or burning in the buttocks area, and swollen lymph nodes, particularly in those located near the genital area. A herpes outbreak can also cause flu-like symptoms including fever and headache, as well as unusual fatigue, depression, and irritability.