How long does a Herpes outbreak last?

The Herpes simplex virus family can affect different people in different ways, and people with the same virus may not experience it the same way.

The same goes for symptoms. If two people have Herpes, one person may get one symptom, and another may get a different one. So, it’s vital to understand Herpes simplex viruses and how to respond appropriately.

Keep reading to find out how long a Herpes outbreak lasts, the different types of Herpes, the symptoms of Herpes, and more.

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Oral Herpes vs Genital Herpes

The Herpes simplex virus family comprises two different viruses, each with their own symptoms, progressions, and complications.

When people talk about “Herpes,” they tend to mean Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2, otherwise known as HSV II or Genital Herpes, which is often transmitted through unprotected sex or sexual contact and primarily affects the genital area.

However, another member of the Herpes simplex virus family, Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1, otherwise known as HSV I or Oral Herpes, is far more common. This virus primarily affects the mouth and creates painful cold sores. You can get HSV I from kissing, a handshake, and other kinds of touch. For this reason, many people have already become infected with this virus a long time before they become sexually active.

Many people think that HSV I only affects the mouth and HSV II only affects the genitals. However, HSV I and HSV II can be transmitted via oral-to-genital contact. In this fashion, it is possible to get an HSV I infection on your genitals, and an HSV II infection in your mouth.

How the virus creates Herpes outbreaks

The type of outbreak you get may depend on the kind of Herpes you have.

Symptoms of an Oral Herpes outbreak include:

• Painful sores/blisters in or around the mouth
• Tingling or pain around the affected area
• Swollen lymph nodes

Symptoms of a Genital Herpes outbreak can include:

• Pain or itching around the genitals
• Sores/blisters on or around the genitals or anus
• Pain while urinating
• Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
• Difficulty emptying the bladder
• Swollen lymph nodes

The first episode of a Herpes outbreak is usually the most severe and may be accompanied by fever, headache, or muscle pains. Subsequent outbreaks tend to be milder and last a shorter time.

In rare cases, a person can be infected with HSV I or HSV II and show no noticeable symptoms, but still pass on the infection. This is known as “asymptomatic shedding,” where the virus becomes active on the skin without causing a sore.

There are rarer complications from having and contracting HSV I and HSV II:

• HSV can spread from cold sores and blisters to the fingers, causing Herpetic Whitlow. This infection causes swelling and pain in your finger, along with blisters, sores, and redder or darker skin at the site of infection.
• HSV can spread to the eyes (Herpes Keratitis), which can cause blindness.
• Having HSV II can put you at higher risk of getting HIV.
• HSV II can be passed on from the mother to the child during pregnancy, leading to a life-threatening infection for the baby.

A Herpes outbreak timeline

When you get either HSV I or HSV II for the first time, the timeline of the first outbreak can look something like this:

• Day 1-2: tingling in the infected area
• 3-5: blisters begin to appear on the infected area
• 5-7: blisters burst and turn into ulcers
• 7-14: ulcers heal over

After the initial outbreak, the virus will become dormant in the body. Reactivation at a later time can cause additional outbreaks. The amount of time between outbreaks can vary from person to person.

What can trigger recurrent outbreaks?

A Herpes outbreak can be triggered by several factors, including:

• Stress
• Changes in temperature
• Trauma to the body, such as physical injury or surgery
• Menstruation
• Hormonal changes
• Certain foods
• Sunlight
• A new sexual partner

During a recurring outbreak, the virus travels to the skin cells and causes another outbreak. Reactivation of the virus may also result in no symptoms at all. Many people who experience an outbreak initially experience itching, tingling or pain at the site of infection before any lesions appear.

How do I know that it’s Herpes?

Herpes can be mistaken for other infections and conditions, so it can be difficult to know that you have it. Some people may get Herpes and get a fever or headache. However, many people will not experience any symptoms at all.

Getting tested is important if you are sexually active. Your decision to get tested should not rest on how you feel, but on what you did.

If you recently engaged in sexual activity, particularly if it was with a new partner, call Better2Know at the number above to find out how to get tested.

What are the treatment options for Herpes?

While there is no cure for Herpes, the virus can be effectively managed with treatment.

Antiviral medications can help suppress the virus and lessen the severity and frequency of outbreaks. Suppressive therapy can also help reduce the risk of passing on the virus to others.

There are also things you can do during a Herpes outbreak to help with pain or discomfort, such as:

• Keeping the site of the infection clean and dry
• Using over-the-counter pain relief medications
• Using cold compresses on the site of infection

You can help make Herpes outbreaks less frequent by managing stress levels, getting quality rest, eating nutrient-rich foods, and protecting yourself from extreme sun, wind, or temperature changes.

Final thoughts

Once you have a Herpes infection, you will have it indefinitely. But that doesn’t mean you can’t access effective treatment and live a normal, healthy life. In addition, treatments are available to help limit the frequency of your outbreaks.

Call Better2Know to get tested for Herpes today, or book your appointment online.

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This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Steve Chapman, 11/06/2024.

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