After a few days, scabs form and the lesions heal usually within 8 days. In time, the severity, duration, and frequency of symptoms usually decrease. There are various potential triggers of HSV such as stress, sunlight, changing hormone levels, and illness. The disease is highly contagious when sores are present. Patients have been known to infect themselves in a new location by touching an active herpes sore and then touching an area of broken skin.
Pregnant women can pass the virus to their infants during birth.
The most reliable diagnostic method to identify a herpes simplex infection is viral culture. The doctor swabs the base of a blister and submits it to the lab for identification. A blood test can indicate prior exposure to one or both herpes simplex viruses. There is no cure for herpes. Attempts to develop an effective herpes vaccine have not been successful.