Herpes more common than thought

Genital herpes is known for the sores and blisters it causes. According to Larry Shockley, a health educator for the Oklahoma State Department of Health, there are two types of herpes. Herpes 1 is associated with the lips and herpes 2 is associated with the genitals. The sores caused by herpes 2 come in clusters that cause stinging or burning when urinating. The place where the sores appear is the original site where the virus entered the body. The first outbreak usually occurs within two weeks after the virus enters the body, and generally takes two to four weeks to heal. Other symptoms include a second set of sores and flu-like symptoms, including fevers and swollen glands. Â However, people infected with herpes often have no symptoms, or might mistake mild symptoms for insect bites or another skin condition. According to Shockley, every cold sore and fever blister is a type of herpes virus.