What is the incubation period of herpes? What are the symptoms of the incubation period?

Herpes is a highly contagious and common disease. The incubation period of herpes varies from person to person. The length of the incubation period is directly related to the patient's physical condition. It is necessary for friends to understand this. So how long is the incubation period of herpes?

What is the incubation period of herpes?

The incubation period of herpes is generally 2-20 days, with an average of 6 days, but can also vary from several months. Many patients who are infected with herpes for the first time neglect treatment because they have no clinical symptoms. Because the incubation period of herpes varies in length, it is important to check and detect herpes early during the incubation period.

Symptoms during the incubation period:

The latent symptoms of herpes begin with itching, burning, and pain in the genitals, thighs, or buttocks. Subsequently, noticeable ulcers may develop on the genitals, buttocks, anus, or other parts of the body. During the incubation period, herpes exists in the nerves of the spinal cord and there are no physiological symptoms, but the virus is already contagious. Only after the herpes virus breaks out will symptoms such as tingling, burning sensation, skin ulcers and small wounds appear, and blisters will develop. In severe cases, the blisters will ooze water, causing pain and itching in the affected area.

Local symptoms:

Before the onset of herpes, patients usually experience systemic symptoms such as headache, myalgia, fever, and weakness. Early symptoms after a first infection with herpes may also include flu-like symptoms, including fever and swollen lymph nodes in the groin. After the herpes incubation period, one or more small red papules will appear on the affected area, causing itching. The papules will then quickly turn into groups of small blisters containing light yellow exudate. After 3 to 5 days, the herpes will break and form ulcers, accompanied by severe pain, local lymph node enlargement and tenderness. These are all signs of herpes.