Incubation Time for Herpes

Genital herpes is caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2), although it is sometimes caused by genital infection with the cold-sore virus, HSV-1. The incubation period for genital herpes varies from person to person.

Average

• When symptoms of genital herpes do develop, the first breakout generally occurs within two weeks of contracting the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Medline Plus.

Symptoms

• The first symptom of genital herpes is itching, burning or tingling in the area; this is followed within a few days by red blisters, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Subsequent Outbreaks

• A person who has symptoms of a first outbreak following infection may have four to five more outbreaks within the first year, according to the CDC.

Considerations

• It is common for a person who has contracted genital herpes to develop no symptoms or very mild symptoms that are mistaken for bug bites or other skin problems, according to the CDC and Mayo Clinic.

Warning

• There is no cure for genital herpes, and an infected person may continue to have outbreaks throughout his life. However, Medline Plus and the Mayo Clinic report that recurring outbreaks are generally milder than the first outbreak.