How long before genital herpes shows up

It depends on which sexually transmitted infection (STI) you have.

Symptoms can develop within a few days or weeks, but sometimes they do not appear until months or even years later.

Often there are few or no symptoms and you may not know you have an STI.

If there's any chance you have an STI, go to a sexual health clinic or GP for a free and confidential check-up.

Chlamydia

Symptoms usually appear after 1 to 3 weeks but can start much later. Symptoms include:

  • discharge from the vagina or penis
  • pain when peeing
  • vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex
  • pelvic pain in women
  • testicular pain in men

About 50% of men and 70% of women who are infected do not have any symptoms.

Find out more about chlamydia.

Genital herpes

Symptoms can appear after 4 to 7 days but might not start until months or years later. Symptoms include:

  • small, painful blisters around the genitals
  • pain when peeing
  • a tingling or itching around the genitals

Most people do not have any symptoms when first infected.

Find out more about genital herpes.

Genital warts

If genital warts appear, symptoms could start from 3 weeks to many months or even years after contact with the virus that causes them. Symptoms include:

  • small, fleshy growths or bumps on the genitals or around the anus – these are usually painless, but may be itchy

Most people with the virus that causes genital warts do not develop obvious warts.

Find out more about genital warts.

Gonorrhoea

Symptoms usually appear within 2 weeks of being infected but could start much later. They include:

  • green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis
  • pain when peeing

About 10% of men and 50% of women who are infected do not have any symptoms.

Find out more about gonorrhoea.

Pubic lice

It can take several weeks before any symptoms of pubic lice appear. Symptoms are the same for men and women, and include:

  • itching in the affected areas, especially at night
  • inflammation and irritation caused by scratching
  • black powder in your underwear
  • blue spots or small spots of blood on your skin, such as on your thighs or lower tummy (caused by lice bites)

Find out more about pubic lice

Scabies

Symptoms of scabies can take up to 6 weeks to appear if you have never had them before. It may only take up to 4 days if you have had scabies before. Symptoms include:

  • itching around the genitals (usually worse at night)
  • a spotty red rash

Find out more about scabies.

Syphilis

Symptoms usually appear after 2 to 3 weeks but could start earlier or much later. They include:

  • one or more small painless sores or ulcers on the genitals
  • a blotchy rash and flu-like symptoms that may follow a few weeks later

Symptoms are often not obvious and may come and go.

Find out more about syphilis.

Trichomoniasis

Symptoms usually appear within 4 weeks but could start months later. They include:

  • discharge from the vagina or penis
  • pain when peeing
  • itchiness or discomfort around the opening of the vagina

About 50% of men and women who are infected do not have any symptoms.

Find out more about trichomoniasis.

HIV

The first symptoms may appear after 2 to 6 weeks. They can include:

  • flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature (fever), sore throat, headaches, and achy muscles or joints
  • a red rash on the body

Not everyone gets these symptoms, but in people who do they usually last 1 to 2 weeks.

After the symptoms disappear, you may not have any further symptoms for many years, even though the infection remains in your body.

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). The herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes genital herpes. Genital herpes can often be spread by skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity.

Some people infected with the virus may have very mild symptoms or no symptoms. They can still able to spread the virus. Other people have pain, itching and sores around the genitals, anus or mouth.

There is no cure for genital herpes. Symptoms often show up again after the first outbreak. Medicine can ease symptoms. It also lowers the risk of infecting others. Condoms can help prevent the spread of a genital herpes infection.

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Symptoms

How long before genital herpes shows up
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Genital herpes

How long before genital herpes shows up

Genital herpes

Sores associated with genital herpes can be small bumps, blisters or open sores. Scabs eventually form and the sores heal, but they tend to recur.

Most people infected with HSV don't know they have it. They may have no symptoms or have very mild symptoms.

Symptoms start about 2 to 12 days after exposure to the virus. They may include:

  • Pain or itching around the genitals
  • Small bumps or blisters around the genitals, anus or mouth
  • Painful ulcers that form when blisters rupture and ooze or bleed
  • Scabs that form as the ulcers heal
  • Painful urination
  • Discharge from the urethra, the tube that releases urine from the body
  • Discharge from the vagina

During the first outbreak, you may commonly have flu-like symptoms such as:

  • Fever
  • Headache
  • Body aches
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the groin

Differences in symptom location

Sores appear where the infection enters the body. You can spread the infection by touching a sore and then rubbing or scratching another area of your body. That includes your fingers or eyes.

Sore can develop on or in the:

  • Buttocks
  • Thighs
  • Rectum
  • Anus
  • Mouth
  • Urethra
  • Vulva
  • Vagina
  • Cervix
  • Penis
  • Scrotum

Repeat outbreaks

After the first outbreak of genital herpes, symptoms often appear again. These are called recurrent outbreaks or recurrent episodes.

How often recurrent outbreaks happen varies widely. You'll usually have the most outbreaks the first year after infection. They may appear less often over time. Your symptoms during recurrent outbreaks usually don't last as long and aren't as severe as the first.

You may have warning signs a few hours or days before a new outbreak starts. These are called prodromal symptoms. They include:

  • Genital pain
  • Tingling or shooting pain in the legs, hips or buttocks

When to see a doctor

If you suspect you have genital herpes, or any other STI, see your health care provider.

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Do genital herpes show up immediately?

The average incubation period for an initial herpes infection is 4 days (range, 2 to 12) after exposure. The vesicles break and leave painful ulcers that may take two to four weeks to heal after the initial herpes infection. Experiencing these symptoms is referred to as having a first herpes “outbreak” or episode.

How long can you have herpes without knowing?

Many people with the herpes virus do not experience any symptoms when first infected. If symptoms do occur they usually take between 2 and 12 days after contact to appear. Sometimes symptoms may not be noticed until months, or sometimes years, after being in contact with the virus.