Sometimes herpes can be spread without the presence of sores, too. Not everyone has noticeable symptoms. Just as we react differently to cold viruses, each herpes infection produces somewhat different problems for each host. That's why it is not uncommon for a person with herpes to accidentally infect a partner. After exposure, the symptoms of herpes typically occur within 1-7 days, or as long as 30 days later.
Lesions first appear as small tender blisters which burst to become open, painful sores.
Other symptoms include painful urination and a thin, watery discharge. The initial outbreak tends to be the worst and may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms, lymph node swelling and tenderness, fatigue, and other discomfort. This primary outbreak may last up to 3 weeks if untreated. This is a mistaken assumption. Once you have the herpes virus in your system, the potential for recurrences is always present.