How long does a genital herpes infection last?

Almost all genital blisters turn into open ulcers after a few days. The soreness does diminish a little but the general ill health continues for 5-14 days. 


After about 7-10 days, the ulcers dry up, become crusted and fall off. The entire episode can last 7-12 days. After the initial infection, the virus disappears and goes into a latent stage and may never again cause an infection (if you are lucky).


However, mind you the herpes virus never ever leaves the body and hides inside nerves. When the right opportunity presents, it again reactivates- albeit the pain is a little less this time.

I think I may have acquired genital herpes. Will the lesions become painful?

No one ever forgets an acute genital herpetic outbreak. 


The sores are tender to touch and even urination is painful. In those who are liberal in their sex life and acquire an anal infection, the feeling is like a hot-burning needle around the rectal area- in fact quite painful and pooping is almost impossible. 


Any thoughts of eroticism and sexual intercourse are always absent because of the pain.


For men, blisters occur at the tip of the penis and cause difficulty with urination and even wearing tight undergarments can be very uncomfortable. Of course, men have the same degree of pain as women.

How soon do herpes lesions appear after sex?

Herpes simplex has a fairly standard presentation. Those who become symptomatic from the infection never forget the episode and dread the beast. 


The symptoms usually arise 2-3 days after acquiring the infection following sexual activity. 


Most individuals will have an odd feeling, burning, tingling, pain or an odd ache in the genital area. A few days later, painful blisters will become prominent around the penis or vagina. The number of blisters is variable but most individuals develop at least a couple. The pain is sharp and burning in nature. 


Many an individual has required admission to the hospital for pain control from a herpetic genital infection. 

I am a 22 year old male and think I have contracted herpes. Where will the symptoms appear?

In men, herpetic lesions are most common near the tip of the penis. A few individuals do develop the blisters on the shaft of the penis. 


In those who engage in anal intercourse, the blisters can occur around the entire anus. Lesions around the buttocks and back of the thigh are also common.


In women, the lesions are most common on the inside of the labia and cervix. However, the lesions may occur anywhere on the inside or outside of the vagina.

Can I transmit herpes even if I have no symptoms?

You sure can.


Despite what everyone thinks, not all herpes infections are associated with symptoms. A significant number of individuals have no symptoms at all and never even know they have a herpetic infection. 


Despite the fact these individuals have no signs or symptoms of an infection; they all have the capability of transmitting the infection to their partners. Most people who acquire genital herpes get it from a partner who has no symptoms. 


It is doubtful if anyone sane would have any type of a sexual activity with a partner in the presence of full-blown herpes infection. In fact, in the presence of an active infection, the affected individual will not have the desire to have sex with anyone. 

Is there a test to detect herpes?

There are tests available for herpes, but sometimes they turn up negative. When there is an obvious discharge or an open sore, a sample of the fluid can be looked under an electron microscope. The test does require extensive preparation of the sample to be looked at under the microscope. In many cases, the test does end up as a negative. Checking for a virus under a microscope is not routine practice.

There is a blood test whereby one can check for antibodies to the virus. When the herpes virus infection is acute, the body’s immune system will react by making antibodies which react towards the virus. These antibodies can be checked in blood.

The blood test is most sensitive when there is an active infection present. When the herpes infection disappears, the antibody levels fall off and are sometimes not measurable. If the blood tests reveals the presence of antibodies, than it means you may have either oral or genital herpes. If the is negative, it simply means that you may have the virus, but the levels of antibody are too small to be detected. In other words you do not have an acute infection at the moment.

How do i know if i have herpes?

Herpes simplex is very common in the North American population. You may have herpes but not have any symptoms. The virus generally hides in nerves and flares up periodically. Not everyone who acquires herpes has symptoms. In fact the majority of people who do have herpes (and you could be one of them) have no idea if they have the virus.

Herpes virus (type 1) is easily contracted from kissing an affected individual or having sex. Some individuals may deny having sex but there are not many people who have not been kissed! So chances are that you may not have genital herpes if you have not had sex, but more than likely you may have oral herpes.

Oral herpes is extremely common and simple contact of sores with hands or the mouth can easily transfer the virus to the unsuspecting individual. Estimates from infectious disease data indicate that close to 60-80 percent of adults in North America have oral herpes.

Genital or type 2 herpes is slightly less common but there are still a lot of adults who have this virus. The virus is easily acquired during sex and estimates indicate that close to 20-30 percent of the population has this virus.

The majority of individuals who have herpes do not even know they have it. And if you do not know, you play a role in the spread of the virus. Eventually the virus will cause symptoms and then you will definitely know if you have herpes.