Primary (initial) outbreaks: Usually more severe, with pain, edema, and a prolonged course. Still, the
majority of primary infections go unnoticed because symptoms are either absent or so minimal that only
the recurrent episodes are recognized.
Secondary (recurrent) disease: Less severe and shorter in duration. In fact, the hallmark of mucocutaneous herpes simplex is its ability to remain dormant in ganglia, eventually recurring in areas of primary infection. Frequency of recurrences varies, but for genital and labial herpes, the average is four episodes per year. Approximately 50% of patients with genital herpes have one or more episodes, often from local trauma, menses, and even stress.
majority of primary infections go unnoticed because symptoms are either absent or so minimal that only
the recurrent episodes are recognized.
Secondary (recurrent) disease: Less severe and shorter in duration. In fact, the hallmark of mucocutaneous herpes simplex is its ability to remain dormant in ganglia, eventually recurring in areas of primary infection. Frequency of recurrences varies, but for genital and labial herpes, the average is four episodes per year. Approximately 50% of patients with genital herpes have one or more episodes, often from local trauma, menses, and even stress.
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