How soon after contracting oral herpes do you start showing symptoms?

Hours or days: If you become infected for the first time the symptoms are usually the most severe because your immune system has never been exposed to the virus. Most people have no idea that they were infected until symptoms appear and the severity of symptoms will vary depending on the person's overall health and their immune response to the infection.

It depends: If you have a very strong immune system, you may never show symptoms of herpes. Otherwise symptoms can occur like any other viral exposure. Usually within a week or two.