Highlights

• Genital herpes affects close to 500 million people worldwide.

• The HSV-1 and HSV-2 viruses that cause herpes are sexually transmitted infections.

• If you become infected, it will take 2-12 days for your symptoms to appear.

• Some virus carriers show no symptoms and aren’t aware they’re infected.

• We can’t cure herpes, but we can manage its symptoms with the right medications. 

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Worldwide, some 491 million people between 15 and 49 are infected with the Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), the cause of genital herpes. It is sexually transmitted and incredibly persistent.

Do not confuse HSV-2 with HSV-1. The latter causes mostly oral herpes and is more widespread than HSV-2.

Despite the prevalence of these viruses, people remain unaware of basic facts about them, including how long it takes for Symptoms to appear following exposure. So, how long does it take HSV-2 (herpes) to show up?

Your first symptoms may appear 2 to 12 days after exposure, but you may go years before you notice anything.

What Is HSV-2?

HSV-2 is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus that infects nerve cells, causing latent infections with recurring symptoms. In addition to genital herpes, HSV-2 can also cause oral herpes following oral-genital contact.

You can get genital herpes through skin-to-skin contact. The blisters the infection causes in some patients contain fluid that can transmit the infection to others. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause oral and genital herpes, but there are differences between them.

HSV-1 vs HSV-2: The Differences

Both viruses can cause both oral and genital herpes. If you receive oral sex from a person with an oral HSV-1 infection, you may develop genital herpes. If you have oral sex with a person with a genital HSV-2 infection, you may develop oral herpes.

Here’s a brief look at the differences between the two infections:

• Primary infection site. HSV-1 mostly infects the mouth and face, while HSV-2 causes blisters and sores in the genital area.
• Transmission. HSV-1 spreads mainly through kissing, while HSV-2 spreads through genital contact.
• Outbreaks and shedding. Both viruses cause recurring symptoms, but HSV-2 has a slightly higher risk of outbreaks and viral shedding.
• Prevalence. HSV-1 infections are more frequent globally due to the ease of transmission through oral contact.
• Complications. Both infections can cause complications, but while HSV-1 may cause eye infection and brain infection, HSV-2 is more likely to cause brain infection and disseminated infection. HSV-2 can make you more vulnerable to HIV infection.

Neither infection is curable. Once you get it, you have it for good. Most patients are unaware that they carry the virus but can infect others.

Incubation Period of HSV-2

The incubation period refers to the time between a patient’s exposure to a virus and when the first symptoms of the infection appear. This period differs from one infection to another and can span from a few days to months or even years.

During incubation, the virus spreads through the body but does not produce symptoms. Viral shedding may occur during the incubation period, allowing infected people to spread viruses to others without knowing it.

The HSV-1 and HSV-2 viruses can stay hidden in your body for up to 30 years. According to the CDC, however, the average incubation period for initial herpes infection is in the 2- to 12-day range.

The first outbreak is the most intense. Recurrent outbreaks are likely to produce less-aggressive symptoms and shedding.

Herpes infections are most likely to activate and cause characteristic sores and blisters during an immune lapse, illness, increased stress, or pregnancy.

Factors Affecting the HSV-2 Incubation Period

We respond to viral infections differently. A person with a compromised immune system is likely to develop symptoms more quickly than a person with a strong immune system.

Other factors that affect the incubation period of the HSV-2 virus include:

• Viral strain. We don’t know how many HSV-2 strains there are, and different strains may have different incubation periods.
• Viral load. The amount of HSV-2 virus you get through exposure may affect the incubation period.
• Individual sensitivity. Some of us are more sensitive to the virus than others.
• The site of entry. HSV-2 infection that enters the body through a genital mucous membrane may cause symptoms faster than an oral infection.
• Previous exposure. People already infected with HSV-1 may have some immunity to HSV-2 and experience symptoms later.
• Antiviral treatment. If you take HSV-2 medication, it may slow the virus replication and extend incubation.

Typical Timeframe for Symptoms to Appear

According to the CDC, the typical timeframe for HSV-2 symptoms to appear is 2-12 days. Other sources list 2-7, 2-10, 4-7, or 2-20 days. Many agree on an average of four days.

The first symptoms are tiny sores or blisters that appear around the anus or on the genitals or mouth. Sometimes, these blisters are so small they’re barely noticeable. When they break, they leave painful ulcers that may take two to four weeks to heal.

The first manifestation of the infection is more intense and takes longer to clear up than subsequent outbreaks. Other symptoms you may experience after the initial infection are:

• Swollen lymph nodes
• Headaches
• Body aches
• Fever

Asymptomatic HSV-2 Infection

An asymptomatic infection happens when a person gets infected with a pathogen like a virus and doesn’t go on to develop any symptoms despite being a carrier.

Asymptomatic infections are relatively frequent, and HSV-2 can cause symptom-less infections.

Asymptomatic infections make viruses more dangerous, as people can spread them without being aware that they act as sources of infection.

Testing allows you to find out whether you carry HSV-2. When you get infected, your body produces antibodies to fight the virus. Doctors can detect these antibodies through a blood or swab test.

If you know you carry the virus, you can take measures to protect your loved ones and manage your outbreaks.

Prevention and Management

Since HSV-2 is an STI (sexually transmitted infection), the best way to prevent it is to refrain from sex. Sexual abstinence is not a realistic option for many people, however.

Here are some more realistic prevention tools.

• Condoms can provide some protection from herpes, but they don’t fully eliminate the risk of transmission, as skin-to-skin contact outside the covered area can still spread the virus.
• Stick to mutually monogamous relationships.
• Avoid high-risk sexual behaviors.
• Communicate openly with potential sexual partners.
• Undergo regular testing.

There’s ongoing research focusing on the development of HSV vaccines or topical virus-killing solutions. We don’t have a functional HSV-2 vaccine yet.

If you already carry the virus, antiviral medications like acyclovir can help you reduce the severity of your outbreaks and viral shedding, manage symptoms, and avoid transmission. Other potentially useful antiviral medications are valacyclovir and famciclovir.

You can use topical antiviral creams like Denavir to hasten healing and OTC pain relievers to manage pain.

We can’t cure genital herpes. If you have the infection, you will have periodic outbreaks, but symptom management can help. Talk to your healthcare provider about a full management plan, including lifestyle adjustments and trigger identification.

eDrugstore Can Help

We carry generic acyclovir and valacyclovir to give you cost-effective options to maintain your sexual health. We also carry a topical penciclovir cream to treat your outbreaks and hasten healing.

When you become an eDrugstore client, you get a complimentary consultation with a U.S.-licensed doctor to determine the most suitable treatment.

Place your order now. We deliver quickly and discreetly.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information about health and related topics but is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

The post How Long Does It Take HSV-2 (Herpes) to Show Up? first appeared on Online Prescription Medications.