What is a common feature of a herpes simplex virus infection?

A common feature of a herpes simplex virus infection is the occurrence of recurrent painful lesions. This characteristic is due to the virus's ability to establish latency in nerve ganglia after the initial infection. While the primary outbreak often results in painful vesicular lesions, subsequent episodes can occur, typically presenting as similar but often milder lesions. These recurrent episodes are usually triggered by various factors such as stress, illness, or immunosuppression.

In contrast, continuous nasal drainage is more indicative of conditions like sinusitis or allergic rhinitis rather than a herpes infection. A persistent rash without vesicles does not align with herpes simplex, which is known for its vesicular lesions. Increased itching without pain could suggest a different etiology, such as allergic reactions, and does not typically represent the symptom profile of a herpes simplex infection.