Usually the sores are gone within two weeks, but can sometimes last longer. The herpes virus is spread by direct contact and the fluid within the blisters is very contagious. Once a person has herpes they have the virus for the rest of their life. The herpes virus remains inactive and is located inside a nerve. It can reactivate or come back again.
People react differently to herpes infections.
Some people are exposed, but never get an outbreak. Others have an initial outbreak, yet never have a recurrence, while others have common recurrences. Recurrences often reactivate, recur, or come back again with a sunburn or windburn, menstruation, ingestion of certain foods or drugs, or emotional stress. Treatment includes keeping the blisters clean and dry until they heal. For those with serious or recurrent infections, medication to prevent outbreaks is now available.