Genital herpes sores first appear a few days after exposure. According to the CDC, the first outbreak usually appears 4 days after contracting the virus (although it can take as little as 2 days, or as much as 12 days or more).
The sores will first look like small, fluid-filled bumps or blisters. After a few days, the fluid oozes out of the bumps. The sores crust over before healing.