Have your genitals been bothering you lately-- noticed strange lesions there, perhaps? Sores around your mouth? These may be 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? Often, especially in women, genital herpes is misdiagnosed as a yeast infection, boils, or pelvic inflammatory disease, so it's a good idea to read up on the disease if you're unsure of your diagnosis. See a doctor, who can accurately test for and identify herpes. But what are some of the signs of herpes?

Red bumps and blisters are a very common symptom of herpes. They can appear near the urethra, buttocks, thighs, anus, and in other genital areas. It's even possible for women to get blisters inside their vaginas. They could also have vaginal discharge and experience pain when urinating.

A first outbreak in women might last about three weeks, on average, and in men the average is two weeks. Some women will also develop meningitis as a result of their first outbreak. But there are other symptoms of genital herpes outbreaks. That includes headaches, fever, lower back pain, muscle aches, and swelling of the lymph nodes in the groin. If you have any of these symptoms at the same time as sores in your genital area, see your doctor.

Approximately four in five people who experience one outbreak of herpes will suffer from recurrent outbreaks. Most people will have warning signs, however, most noticeably pain in the area where they tend to develop sores. Consider these signs of herpes as a warning, and remember that you're very contagious at this time, even without the sores!