Question

All of the following are likely reported in the woman with an initial episode of genital human herpesvirus-2 infection except?

1) Fever and flu-like symptoms
2) Painful genital sores
3) Vaginal discharge
4) Abdominal pain

Answer 1

Abdominal pain is the least likely symptom to be reported during the initial episode of genital herpes; fever, painful genital sores, and vaginal discharge are more typical presentations.

Step-by-step explanation:

All of the following are likely reported in the woman with an initial episode of genital herpes except abdominal pain. Symptoms of an initial genital herpes infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) can include fever and flu-like symptoms, painful genital sores, and occasionally vaginal discharge. While abdominal pain is less commonly associated with a primary episode of genital herpes, symptoms like fever, painful sores, and vaginal discharge are considered more typical presentations.

When the blisters characteristic of herpes break, they leave painful ulcers that can be very discomforting. During this initial outbreak, systemic symptoms such as fever and swollen lymph nodes can also be present. However, abdominal pain is not commonly reported and would be unexpected in the initial manifestation of genital herpes. Thus, abdominal pain is the least likely symptom to be reported by a woman experiencing her first outbreak of genital herpes.