How long does a herpes outbreak last?

How long does a herpes outbreak last? In both cases of oral (HSV1) and genital (HSV2) herpes, it mainly depends on two factors. First, if it is primary of recurrent herpes. Second, it is the matter of individual response.

Symptopms of primary herpes, that is when an individual is first infected with the herpes virus and exhibits the signs of it, usually last longer than the subsequent recurrent outbreaks. The initial outbreak is also more severe and painful. It is because the person's immune system meets the new danger for the first time, and needs time to adjust itself to it. It takes 10 to 14 or more days to heal the sores and blisters caused by the primary herpes outbreak and drive the virus into inactive (dormant) state. There are reports that in women, the primary outbreak tends to last longer than in men (up to 21 days).

After that first victory, the person's immune system gets the proper knowledge of the new threat. Forewarned is forearmed. Next time, when the herpes virus comes out of dormancy, it will usually be supressed during a shorter period of 3 to 14 days.

Why is that range, from 3 to 14 or even more days? That is just the matter of individual response. Some people have a stronger immune system, in other people it is weaker. Also, a person's general state of health plays its role. If a person's condition is weakened by some other illness or any sort of hard exposure, it will take the person's system longer to fight herpes. In most severe cases, untreated outbreaks of herpes can last up to 6 weeks.

What does it look like?

Herpes blisters can look really dreadful, but we would not like to start this blog with pics which could frighten you off the very moment you came here. So, here's one which gives a perfect idea of what a typical cold sore can look like, and does not fill the audience with utter disgust at the same time. A little sore spot on the upper lip. A very familiar thing, isn't it?