Which symptom is commonly associated with genital herpes during an outbreak?

During an outbreak of genital herpes, the symptoms most commonly experienced include itching and burning sensations in the affected area. These sensations often precede the appearance of lesions and can be quite uncomfortable for the individual. The itching and burning are typically a result of the inflammation and irritation caused by the virus as it reactivates and affects the skin and mucous membranes.

In contrast, while painful lesions are characteristic of genital herpes, they are not painless; thus, any notion of painless lesions would not accurately describe the typical experience of someone during an outbreak. Severe abdominal cramps and fever or chills may occur in the context of other medical conditions or secondary infections but are not hallmark symptoms of a genital herpes outbreak. The primary symptoms that patients report tend to focus on local discomfort and irritation, making itching and burning sensations a key indicator of the viral activity associated with genital herpes injections.