Recurrent herpes labialis is a shorter and milder affliction, often heralded by local pain or tingling for a few hours. Vesicles appear most often on the vermilion border and are painful. Healing is complete within eight to 10 days. Systemic complaints are uncommon in recurrent herpes labialis. Primary infections may present as unilateral follicular conjunctivitis, blepharitis, or corneal epithelial opacities.
Healing is usually complete within two to three weeks.
Branching dendritic ulcers, usually detected by fluorescein staining, are virtually diagnostic and are often associated with diminished visual acuity. Deep stromal involvement may result in scarring, corneal thinning, and abnormal vascularization, with resultant blindness or rupture of the globe. Genital Herpes Seventy to 95 percent of primary genital herpesvirus infections are caused by HSV-2. The differential diagnosis includes syphilis, chancroid, Beh et's syndrome, erythema multiforme, and candidiasis. In women, lesions rapidly ulcerate and become covered with exudate, with resultant vaginal discharge.