The fluid from these itching, painful sores is highly infectious. Other frequent symptoms are painful urination, urethral or vaginal discharge and swollen lymph nodes. The first exposure or primary episode consists of headache, fever, chills and muscular weakness. Recurrent episodes are less severe and are limited to the affected area. But, if they appear, local symptoms may be seen from two to 12 days after exposure.
People are most likely to transmit the virus when the lesions are evident.
There is evidence, however, that the virus may be shed even when no symptoms of a recurrent episode are present. After the initial infection, the herpes II virus becomes dormant within the body. Symptoms may recur with varying frequency and are often associated with stress factors. Acyclovir, used orally, intravenously or topically, has been shown to reduce the shedding of herpes II virus, diminish pain and speed the healing of primary herpes lesions. In the oral form, this treatment also appears to shorten the duration of both primary and recurrent episodes.