some people experience very mild genital herpes symptoms or no symptoms at all. frequently people infected with the virus don't even know they have it. however when it causes symptoms it can be described as extremely painful. this is especially true for the first outbreak which is often the worst. outbreaks are described as aches or pains in or around the genital area or burning pain or difficulty urinating. some people experience discharge from the vagina or penis. oral herpes lesions (cold sores) usually cause tingling and burning just prior to the breakout of the blisters. the blisters themselves can also be painful.
how painful is herpes simplex?