How long can herpes type 1 stay dormant before your first outbreak?

Herpes: Recurrent herpetic outbreaks are usually shorter in duration (averaging 7 days), with less severe symptoms and are often preceded by a prodrome of itching or burning in the affected area. Systemic symptoms are usually absent. Most people diagnosed with a first episode of genital herpes can expect to have several (typically four or five) outbreaks (symptomatic recurrences) within a year.