Previous infection with either type of herpes appears to increase immunity against the other types of herpes. Thus a previous outbreak of cold sores could lessen the severity of the first outbreak of genital herpes, alter its duration, or shorten or limit recurrences. During the first outbreak of genital herpes the person may feel generally unwell and have a fever. Passing urine may be painful particularly for women, who also may feel discomfort when walking. Of greatest concern to those with genital herpes is the fact that it recurs.
Different people have different intervals between one outbreak and the next.
There appears to be some internal trigger which starts an outbreak. What causes recurrences is not completely understood. Each successive outbreak is usually less severe, heals more rapidly and usually longer period of time elapses before the next outbreak. In most people, the disease stops recurring after three years, although even then the virus still lies dormant in the body. Some people may only ever have one outbreak, and others no more than two or three.