A herpes outbreak is the appearance of symptoms caused by a herpes simplex virus infection. Herpes simplex virus infections are not always symptomatic. A herpes outbreak can potentially appear at any time once infection with herpes simplex has taken place. The symptoms of a herpes outbreak can vary, but are typically discomfort in the infected area, followed soon after by the appearance of small blisters that eventually fill with fluid, break, scab over, then heal. A herpes outbreak will eventually clear on its own, without treatment intervention, but outbreaks receiving treatment clear more quickly and with less discomfort than untreated outbreaks. Some people with herpes who have outbreaks tend to get outbreaks regularly, while other people with herpes who have outbreaks get outbreaks infrequently. There's no absolute reason for why some people have more herpes outbreaks than others, and there's no absolute trigger that causes an outbreak to occur. The herpes simplex virus is at its most contagious when outbreaks occur.