Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) Practice Exam

How many days after exposure do symptoms of herpes simplex infection typically begin?

1. 1 to 3

2. 3 to 12

3. 5 to 10

4. 7 to 14

The correct answer is: 3 to 12

Symptoms of a herpes simplex infection typically begin to manifest 3 to 12 days after exposure to the virus. This incubation period can vary depending on individual factors and the specific strain of the virus involved. During this time, the virus may replicate without producing noticeable symptoms, but once the incubation period has elapsed, the person may start to experience signs such as blisters, itching, or pain at the site of infection. The other time frames provided in the options are shorter or longer than the established incubation period, which is why they don’t accurately represent when symptoms are most likely to appear after initial exposure to the virus.