Symptoms of the herpes usually develops within two to twenty days after contact with the virus. These symptoms may last upto several weeks but it varies from person to person. Sometimes the first infection is so mild that it goes unnoticed. In others, the first attack is quite severe and with multiple symptoms. The virus starts to multiply when it gets into the skin cells. Skin becomes red and sensitive, soon after the bump like blister appears, the blister are painful along with the symptoms of burning, itching, headache, swollen glands, muscle ache or fever. Herpes may also infect the urethra and urinating may cause the burning sensation. Herpes is potentially contagious, transmission is caused by close oral, anal, or genital contact including intercourse, masturbation or any other skin to skin contact which allows for the transfer of bodily fluids.