Once you are infected, the virus remains with you forever. It causes symptoms, though, only during flare-ups. Signs and Symptoms Symptoms include sores with blisters on the genital area and anus and sometimes on the thighs and buttocks. After a few days, the blisters break open and leave painful, shallow ulcers which can last from 5 days to 3 weeks. If infected for the first time, you may experience flu-like symptoms, such as swollen glands, fever, and body aches.
Subsequent attacks are almost always much milder and much shorter in duration.
Genital herpes attacks may be triggered by emotional stress, fatigue, menstruation, other illnesses, or even by vigorous sexual intercourse. Itching, irritation, and tingling in the genital area may occur 1 to 2 days before the outbreak of the blisters or sores. Genital herpes is contagious during the prodrome, when blisters are present and up to a week or two after they have disappeared. If a pregnant woman has an outbreak of genital herpes when her baby is due, a Cesarean section may need to be done so the baby does not get infected during delivery. No cure exists for genital herpes.