Usually begins with painful lower-back trauma (in hips). Within 12-18 hours I develop acute trembling and muscle tension; skin is painful to touch; moderate genital swelling and surface inflammation; lymph nodes in groin become swollen and painful; low-grade fever which subsides in 4-6 hours; headache with fever. I no longer experience blisters or lesions, but genitals remain swollen for several days. My urologist is aware that I have the virus, although he has never confirmed these symptoms as a Herpes outbreak. I have access to Valtrex by prescription, but I question the wisdom of spending that much money to control outbreaks that occur once every 2 years at most. Suffering an episode as I write. Any thoughts on all this?