The fluid-filled blisters burst and then turn into small, painful sores that can last for two-to-four weeks after they break open. The characteristic symptoms of genital herpes are small blistering lesions, also called cold sores when on the face, usually found around the genitals, rectum, or mouth. Approximately 87.4% of 14-49 year-olds who have genital herpes do not have a clinical diagnosis. However, a person with genital herpes might not have symptoms or have only mild symptoms.
Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI), with roughly 572,000 new infections developing each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
