The main symptom of the virus is the appearance of a blister / multiple blisters around the affected area, most commonly, the mouth. The blisters will break and leave tender sores behind. Before the blister appears, there may be tingling or burning of the affected area.

Some people may feel unwell with a fever, aches, pains and headache, or swollen gums, but this is most common in the initial stage of infection: subsequent attacks tend to present with only the characteristic blisters

Once you have become infected with Herpes simplex Virus, the following cycle will occur.

1. Inflammation – the infected area will become swollen and red, and some people may experience tingles.

2. Blisters – blisters will rise up from the infected area. These will be filled with fluid.

3. Ulcers – after the blisters have appeared, the skin will eventually break. Small wet looking ulcers will appear leak white or clear fluid.

4. Crusting – the is is the start of the healing process. The blisters and ulcers will turn into scabs. When the scabs have cleared, this episode of herpes is past. However, the virus still remains in the body and it will reoccur.

Symptoms do not usually appear as soon as you are infected. It may take months or even years for the outbreak of herpes I to appear. It usually takes between 2 to 20 days before any outbreaks develop.

Once you have the HSV-1 virus it will remain in your body for life. It will lie dormant for periods of time in the nerve cells. However, certain triggers such as illness, fatigue, stress, immunosuppression, trauma or menstruation can reactivate the virus, causing new sores to appear.

Currently there is no cure for herpes I, however the virus in the form of cold sores on the lips or around the mouth may clear within 7-10 days without treatment. Treatments are available over the counter to lessen the symptoms and decrease the frequency of outbreaks but HSV-1 cannot be cured.