Herpes simplex virus type 2 is primarily responsible for genital herpes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out that most individuals infected with HSV-2 have few or no signs. When symptoms do occur, they may take several days or even weeks to appear. HSV-2 can heal and reappear weeks or months after the initial outbreak, but future outbreaks are often milder than the first.
Asymptomatic Stage
After an individual contracts HSV-2, it can take one to two weeks for any symptoms to develop. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, about 10 to 25 percent of people infected with HSV-2 are unaware that they have genital herpes, as most cases of a new infection do not produce symptoms.
Warning Symptoms
Should the individual develop symptoms with HSV-2, the first noticeable signs are called warning, or prodrome, symptoms. Such symptoms appear in affected areas like the genitalia, buttocks and thighs. The skin can become inflamed, sensitive to the touch, tingly, numb, itchy or painful.
Herpes Blisters
One or two days following the prodrome symptoms, clusters of small red bumps will appear and eventually become fluid-filled blisters. The American Dermatology Association points out that muscle aches and a mild skin rash may accompany the blisters. Several days after the blisters appear, they will burst and ooze clear fluids, pus or blood before forming a scab. While these blisters are healing, new clusters can appear. The University of Maryland Medical Center suggests that from start to finish the first set of blisters takes three to 14 days to disappear. While the blisters exist, the skin tissues are painful. Urinating or having intercourse can cause a burning sensation in the genitalia.
