1. Recurrence rate
After the primary genital herpes subsides, the recurrence rate of HSV-2 infection is 80%, while the recurrence rate of HSV-1 infection is 55%. About 50% of men will have a recurrence within 4 months after the primary genital herpes subsides; 50% of women will not have a recurrence until 8 months later. The average number of recurrences is 3 to 4 times a year, but about 15% of patients have a recurrence of 8 times or more a year.
2. Relapse triggers
Infection, fever, skin trauma, menstruation, sun exposure, cold, malignant tumors, certain viral infections, etc. may induce disease recurrence.
3. Symptoms
The severity of symptoms, duration and detoxification time of recurrent genital herpes are lower than those of primary genital herpes. The virus isolation time is 3 to 4 days, the average pause time is 4 to 5 days, and the complete healing time is 9 to 10 days. Fever, headache, aseptic meningitis and other symptoms are rare. The positive rate of pharyngeal herpes simplex virus isolation is only 1%, and female patients have more severe symptoms. 40% to 50% of cases have prodromal symptoms, that is, local tingling, burning or dull fear 30 minutes to 48 hours before the rash. Sometimes, buttocks pain or radiating pain in the back of the thigh may occur 1 to 5 days before the rash, which is similar to sciatica.
