Why does genital herpes attack the lower limp nodes and why is it so painful?

HSV2 (the virus that causes genital herpes) likes to settle down in the lower sacral ganglia. That's a cluster of nerves just behind your hips. When the virus flares up, it sends virus particles out to your genitals for more proliferation and release. To fight that, your immune system tries to launch an attack, swallowing up some of the viral mass. Those used-up cells wind up being stashed in the lymph nodes, and the nodes swell up (and get sore).

As for the outbreaks themselves, those hurt because, well, they're blisters and skin eruptions! that matter should speak for itself. Source(s): I work for your friendly local health department.

The lymph nodes are trying to fight off the disease!!
because you have a virus and your body is trying to protect itself from the invasion.
HERPES IS A VIRAL INFECTION WHICH MEANS IT IS A VIRUS THAT STAYS DORMANT IN YOUR SYSTEM FOREVER AND CAN BE CONTROLLED THROUGH ANTI-INFLAMMATORY MEDICATIONS. THE LOWER LIMP NODES ARE AFFECTED BECAUSE LIKE I SAID IT IS A VIRUS AND VIRUSES ATTACK LIMP NODES AND CAUSE INFLAMMATION. WHEN A VIRUS IS INFLAMED THE LIMP NODES SWELL AND BECOME VERY SORE-EVEN THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE BODY.MEDICATIONS WILL REDUCE THESE SIDE AFFECTS OF HERPES, BUT THE PAIN THAT GOES ALONG WITH HAVING THEM CAN BE HORRIBLE! HOPE THIS HELPED.