A herpes outbreak typically lasts as follows:
- Initial outbreak : The first herpes outbreak is usually the most severe and longest-lasting. For genital herpes, it can last from about 2 to 4 weeks, with symptoms such as painful blisters, sores, and sometimes flu-like symptoms like fever and body aches
. Oral herpes initial outbreaks tend to heal faster, usually within 7 to 10 days
- Subsequent outbreaks : After the initial episode, outbreaks tend to be less severe, shorter in duration, and less painful. Recurrent genital herpes outbreaks typically last between 3 to 14 days, often healing within 1 to 2 weeks
. Oral herpes recurrences also follow a similar shorter timeline.
- Symptom progression : An outbreak generally starts with warning signs like tingling, itching, or burning (prodrome), followed by blister formation, blister rupture, scabbing, and healing. The full cycle for the first outbreak can take up to 2 to 4 weeks, while later outbreaks progress faster
- Treatment impact : Antiviral medications, if started early, can shorten the duration and severity of outbreaks and help prevent future episodes
In summary, a first herpes outbreak usually lasts 2 to 4 weeks, while subsequent outbreaks generally last 1 to 2 weeks, with oral herpes healing faster than genital herpes. Medication can help speed recovery and reduce symptoms.
