The condition is a common STI that infects about 600,000 people in the United States every year.
Sores on the genitals are usually the first sign of a genital herpes outbreak.
These sores can look different depending on your skin tone.
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The blisters can scab over after breaking, and healing can take about a week.
Complete healing of an outbreak can take up to four weeks.
Antiviral medication can shorten the duration of an outbreak of herpes sores.
What If It’s Not Genital Herpes?
Early diagnosis of genital herpes is key.
This is true for both mild and severe outbreaks.
The risk of future outbreaks is higher with a longer or more difficult first outbreak.
In rare cases, untreated herpes can even cause brain disorders.
In this case, medications are taken once or twice a day.
Episodic: Medications are taken whenever a herpes outbreak appears.
Some sores can break open and then heal over time.
If you or a partner has herpes symptoms, it is advised to take an STI test.
Treating herpes includes antiviral medications taken at the start of an outbreak or daily for long-term suppression.
At times, herpes sores can break and heal in a process that takes two to four weeks.
Herpes sores can take about a week to heal if they break open.
In general, a first herpes outbreak could take two to four weeks to completely heal.
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