Herpes Vs Yeast Infection - How to Tell the Difference?

Because certain medical conditions that cause irritation of the vagina and external genitalia often causes similar symptoms, including pain, itching and burning sensations it is sometimes easy to confuse one condition for another. A vaginal yeast infection is a fungal infection and Herpes is a viral infection. While there are similarities between the symptoms of genital herpes and a yeast infection, there are also very important differences. The main difference being the presence of sores or lesions in the genital area as typically yeast infections do not cause the appearance of lesions. Both infections cause a strong itching sensation but itching caused by herpes is localized to the site of the sores whereas the itching caused by the candida fungus is due to a generalized inflammation of the vaginal tissue. Another difference between the two infections is that the herpes virus tends to cause a tingling sensation in the genitals, buttocks and lower back while a yeast infection does not typically have the same effect.  A white vaginal discharge is almost always present during yeast infections whereas it is typically not caused by the herpes virus. And finally, flu-like symptoms can appear in people experiencing their first herpes outbreak. These symptoms are not normally associated with a yeast infection.

Note: This article is not medical advice. Please consult your doctor for your specific condition.