Herpes Incubation Period

Herpes Incubation Period

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus(HSV). This is the same family of virus that causes chickenpox, shingles and mononucleosis. HSV virus can be divided into two groups, HSV 1 and HSV 2. HSV 1 typically has a higher percentage of infection than HSV 2. HSV 1 can manifest in the form of cold sores on the lips. HSV 2 causes genital herpes. It is possible to spread HSV 1 to the genital area through oral sex and likewise HSV 2 can be transmitted to the mouth or lips through oral sex. The period between contracting a virus, and the appearance of symptoms is called herpes incubation period.

Typically, the incubation period is about two to twenty days. Some people do not have any visible symptoms, so it is impossible to tell whether the incubation period is over or not. Some people find the first outbreak is very severe and painful. Symptoms include sores, lesions, as well as itching and burning.

During the incubation period, the virus will travel through the nervous system and settle at the base of the spine. When there are no outbreaks the virus is considered dormant.

When the virus "wakes up", it can travel through the nerve paths and cause another outbreak. Outbreak periods are typically highly contagious, and sex should be avoided.

Another period that can be highly contagious is the shedding period. Shedding has no visible symptoms, therefore, it is impossible for the person to know whether shedding is taking place or not. A small amount of virus can be transmitted by sexual intercourse to the other partner.

Although it is not possible to cure herpes, many people can live normally with the disease. To better deal with the disease, people should see a doctor right after they notice any abnormality in their genital area. Each person's herpes incubation period is different, and the person needs to consult his doctor to know exactly when he/she contracted the disease.