Can You Have Genital Herpes And Never Know It

What Happens If Herpes Is Not Treated

Herpes Spreads, Even Without Symptoms

Herpes can be painful, but it generally does not cause serious health problems like other STDs can.

Without treatment, you might continue to have regular outbreaks, or they could only happen rarely. Some people naturally stop getting outbreaks after a while. Herpes typically does not get worse over time.

The information on this page is adapted from the CDC and Planned Parenthood.

Can I Be Treated To Prevent Genital Herpes Transmission To My Partner

Yes. A large study showed that if one partner has herpes and the other partner is uninfected, treating the infected partner with suppressive therapy can prevent transmission of symptomatic herpes in over 90% of cases. This is an option for couples who are interested in having unprotected sex or who are planning to become pregnant.

If you are entering into a new relationship and are aware that you have herpes simplex infection, you owe it to your partner to notify them before having sex.

Put Genital Herpes In Context

People may have an irrational, inaccurate perception of genital herpes. Since its a sexually transmitted virus, they may group it in the dangerous STDs category of their mind, often beside diseases and viruses with much more severe symptoms.

Because of this, its often necessary to follow up the I have herpes part of the conversation with some quick statistics to provide context.

One way to do this is to let your partner know how common it is. According to the World Health Organization, when it comes to HSV-2, an estimated 11 percent of the world population ages 15 to 49 have the virus meaning you can correctly and accurately let your partner know that at least one in ten people is infected with the virus.

To put it in context, you can ask your partner to imagine that one in ten of the people they met that day have the exact same confession to make at some point, assuming they know theyre infected. Sometimes, this is all it takes to put genital herpes in context as a common type of virus.

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How Long Does It Take For Symptoms Of Herpes To Appear

It generally takes anywhere from 4 to 7 days for herpes symptoms to appear. Both genital and oral herpes outbreaks have similar symptoms.

The primary symptom of a herpes outbreak is sores that resemble blisters, called herpes lesions, on the mouth or genitals.

In addition, people may also experience the following symptoms prior to the outbreak:

pain and redness, especially around the area the outbreak will occur
itching and tingling, primarily in the outbreak area
flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, or swollen lymph nodes

Most of the symptoms that occur before an outbreak indicate that the virus is replicating. Symptoms are usually the worst during the first herpes outbreak.

According to the

Some people with the herpes virus are asymptomatic, which means that they dont experience any physical symptoms of the disease. This doesnt mean that they cant spread the disease, however.

Anyone who has the herpes virus, whether symptomatic or not, can spread the virus to others.

If you have the herpes virus and your body has produced antibodies, it can be detected on a blood test, even if you have no symptoms. The only time the virus might not be detected on a test is if youve been tested too early.

Is Genital Herpes Infection Related To Hiv

Herpes and HIV are caused by different viruses. But patients infected with these viruses are more likely to transmit either disease to their sexual partners. Patients with herpes are more vulnerable to HIV infection. People newly diagnosed with herpes should be tested for HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections.

Patients who are infected with both herpes and HIV also may have a higher concentration of HIV viruses in their body because of the interaction between the herpes virus and the HIV virus. When HIV damages a persons immune system, the person may be more likely to shed herpes simplex virus asymptomatically.

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How Herpes Is Diagnosed

Your first step is to make an appointment with your healthcare provider if you have a lesion on your genitals or believe you were exposed to herpes. “Google really can’t tell you if you have genital herpes or not,” said Dr. Shim. A diagnosis of herpes can be made with an exam, but your healthcare provider will also order a culture swab from the sore to confirm the virus.

Your healthcare provider can give you advice on easing symptoms, shortening their duration, and preventing outbreaks in the future. Taking a daily dose of the antiviral drug Valtrex can decrease transmission to a non-infected partner, said Dr. Shirazian. It can also prevent recurrent outbreaks for the person with the infection. Maintaining general healthful habitseating nutritious foods, staying active, and getting enough sleepgo a long way to keeping your immune system able to minimize outbreaks.

What Are The Chances Of Getting Herpes From An Asymptomatic Partner

Its hard to nail it down to an exact number, because the risk of getting herpes hinges on a couple of things. As with other STIs, your chances of getting herpes go up according to how often you have sex, the number of sex partners you have, and how often condoms are used. Besides that, women are at a greater risk of contracting herpes than men .

But there are some estimates about the likelihood of an asymptomatic person shedding the virus. According to one study, people with asymptomatic herpes shed the virus 10% of the days they were in the study, about half as often as those with symptomatic herpes . However, other studies have found that asymptomatic shedding can be as high as 20%. Herpes viral shedding may occur more often during the first year of infection .

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Can It Lie Dormant

The herpes virus can lie dormant in the body for years before people experience any symptoms.

After people have the first outbreak of herpes, the virus then lies dormant in the nervous system. Any further outbreaks are due to the virus reactivating, which causes symptoms to appear.

Symptoms are usually less severe during repeat outbreaks. Sores also clear up more quickly, often within 37 days. This is due to the antibodies the body produces to fight the first outbreak of herpes. The body can then use these antibodies to respond more quickly to future outbreaks.

There is currently no cure for herpes. Even if a person stops experiencing symptoms, the virus will remain inside their body.

It is also important to point out that herpes is transmissible even when no sores or other symptoms are present. For this reason, early prevention is advisable.

To help reduce the chance of this happening, people can use condoms or dental dams during sex.

Condoms and dental dams do not offer complete protection against the herpes virus, as herpes can live on areas around the genitals. However, these methods do reduce the likelihood of contracting the infection or passing it on.

A person who has herpes can also take other steps to reduce the chance of passing it on to a sexual partner. Such steps include telling their sexual partner that they have herpes before having sex.

Both people can then take additional steps to reduce the likelihood of transmission. These steps may include:

Are These The Only Herpes Viruses

Herpes (oral & genital) – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology

There are actually several other subtypes of herpes viruses that are from the same family as HSV-1 and HSV-2. This family is known as Herpesviridae.

Alternatively, HSV-1 and HSV-2 are also known as human herpesvirus 1 and human herpesvirus 2 , respectively.

The other human herpesviruses include:

Human herpesvirus 3 : Also known as the varicella zoster virus, this virus causes chickenpox lesions.
Human herpesvirus 4 : Also known as the Epstein-Barr virus, this virus causes infectious mononucleosis.
Human herpesvirus 5 : Also known as the cytomegalovirus, this virus causes symptoms such as fatigue and muscle aches.
Human herpesvirus 6 : This virus can cause a serious illness in infants known as sixth disease, which is also called roseola infantum. The virus causes a high fever and distinctive rash.
Human herpesvirus 7 : This virus is similar to HHV-6 and can cause some cases of roseola.
Human herpesvirus 8 : This virus can contribute to a serious illness known as Kaposi sarcoma, which can lead to connective tissue cancer.

Many of these subtypes are contracted in childhood.

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If You Have Genital Herpes Already Can It Be Spread To Other Parts Of The Body Such As The Arms Or Legs

No. Genital herpes cannot be transmitted to another part of your body such as your arm, leg or hand after the first infection occurs. If you have genital HSV II, you will not get HSV II at another site in your body. The immune system produces antibodies that protect other parts of your body from infection. However, there are cases where a person has multiple site infections from the same virus. This is usually acquired at the time of the first infection. For example, if someone has never had herpes but then has oral and genital sex with an infected partner, they can acquire the infection at both sites.

What Are Some Signs That I Might Have Genital Herpes

Often, it’s hard to tell by looking. The textbook symptom of genital herpes is a cluster of small fluid-filled blisters that break, forming painful sores that crust and heal during several days. Affected areas include the , scrotum, , vulva, urethra, , thighs, and buttocks.

But many people don’t get these sores. Some people have no symptoms at all, while others get symptoms that can be easily mistaken for razor burn, pimples, bug bites, jock itch, hemorrhoids, an ingrown hair, or a vaginal yeast infection.

After you’re infected, the symptoms go away, but can flare up from time to time. Luckily, the first outbreak usually is the worst. And some people may have just one or two outbreaks in their lifetime.

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Is Alzheimers Disease Related To Hsv

Alzheimers disease is a progressive brain disease that develops as a result of a complex series of events occurring in the brain over a long period of time. The causes of Alzheimers disease may include genetic, environmental, and other factors. Several different factors have been statistically linked to Alzheimers disease, including HSV-1 infection. However, some investigations suggest that viruses other than HSV-1 may influence Alzheimers disease. More research is needed to determine whether or not there is a causal link between HSV-1 infection and Alzheimers disease.

How Common Is Herpesand Who Is At Risk

Both types of herpes are quite common. The World Health Organization reports thatâgloballyâan estimated 67% of the population has HSV-1. As for HSV-2, estimates suggest that 13% of the population has it. Most of the people in both groups are asymptomatic and many do not know they have herpes.

Women tend to have a higher risk of HSV-2, the most common cause of genital herpes, compared to men. This is because transmission of the herpes virus occurs more effectively from men to women than vice versa. Having multiple sex partners also increases oneâs risk of getting herpes.

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What Can I Do To Help My Partner

For starters, you can understand that having genital herpes is common. More than 1 in 6 people ages 14-49 in the U.S. have it, according to the CDC.

If you or your partner is upset about having herpes, joining a support group might help. And if you think genital herpes is harming your relationship, you could try couples therapy.

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Myth: Herpes Can Be Transmitted Through The Blood

Herpes cannot be transmitted through the blood, though it can be detected through a blood test.

In fact, people with a history of herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2 can safely donate blood as long as:

All lesions and infected cold sores are dry and healed
They wait at least 48 hours after finishing a round of antiviral treatment

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Support And Advice For Genital Herpes

If you have just found out you have genital herpes, you may feel shocked and may have a lot of questions. It may help you to gather as much information as you can about herpes. This can help you to make fully informed decisions about your treatment, safe sex and preventing further recurrences. Talking to a counsellor about your concerns may also help.

Myth #: If Someone Has Herpes Theyre Probably Promiscuous

Can I Get Herpes From A Towel? â Your Worst Fears Confirmed

One of my favorite myths is that only promiscuous or slutty people get herpesI just want to shout from the rooftops that this is absolutely not the case, says Hawkins. Herpes is something thats super easily transmitted. This is especially true of type 1 oral herpes, as you may have contracted it from, say, your grandmother as a kid. If this is the case, 15 years later you could perform oral sex on your partner and accidentally transmit your type 1 to his or her genitalsits that easy.

For this and all the reasons outlined abovethe fact that its difficult to test for, most people dont know they have it, it can be contracted non-sexually, etcyou can catch genital herpes from your first love, your long-term partner, someone who has been STD tested and shows you a clean bill of health, etc. Your number of sexual partners and your sexual proclivities are irrelevant.

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So Cold Sores Are Only Caused By Hsv

Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause cold sores on the mouth and face.

Although its more common for HSV-1 to cause cold sores, it isnt impossible for HSV-2 to cause them, too.

Cold sores arent the same thing as canker sores or mouth ulcers. They each have different causes and two entirely different presentations.

Cold sores:

are caused by the herpes simplex virus
usually develop near the outside of the mouth, such as below your nostrils or on your lips
cause redness and fluid-filled blisters
usually appear in groups
eventually break and ooze, forming a crust-like scab
may take 2 to 4 weeks to completely heal

Canker sores:

may be caused by food or chemical sensitivities, dietary deficiencies, minor injury, or stress
may develop anywhere inside your mouth, such as at the base of your gum line, inside your lip, or under your tongue
are shaped like a circle or oval
are typically yellow or white with a red border
may appear solo or in groups
usually take 1 to 2 weeks to completely heal

HSV-1 is spread through direct contact with the virus, which can be present in or around cold sores, in oral secretions , and in genital secretions .

Some of the ways it can be transmitted include:

kissing someone on the mouth
sharing eating utensils or cups
sharing lip balm
performing oral sex

The herpes virus usually affects the area where it first made contact with the body.

Some of the ways HSV-2 can be transmitted include:

My Partner Just Told Me They Have Herpes I Dont Now What

ByAnna C.|June 30, 2014, noon

Pictured above: From

Has your new partner just informed you that he or she has herpes? People have many reactions when hearing this kind of news and, depending on how informed you are about herpes, your reaction might be tinged with panic or fear. If thats your instinct, try to keep those feelings in check: Your partner might be feeling very vulnerable, so its best not to react with shunning or shaming.

More than 80 percent of people with genital herpes are unaware of their infections.

Herpes is more widespread than most of us realize. It can be caused by one of two strains of the herpes simplex virus: HSV-1 or HSV-2. While HSV-1 is more commonly associated with cold sores and HSV-2 is more commonly associated with genital herpes, either virus can infect the genital area. One estimate states that 1 out of 5 American females and 1 out of 9 American males between 14 to 49 years of age have a genital HSV-2 infection.

Now that you know your partner has herpes, you might have some questions. How easy is it to transmit genital herpes from one partner to another? What can you do to minimize your chances of catching the virus? And, while it is certainly stigmatized in our culture, is herpes something to fear?

has not hindered my love life, inhibited my ambition, or limited my friendships .

An anonymous writer shared these inspiring words:

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Is Asymptomatic Herpes Really A Thing

Medically reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP

How common is herpes? Herpes is one of the most common viral infections, with more than half of all people under 50 years of age infected with the HSV-1 type of herpes and an estimated 11% of people infected with the HSV-2 type of the virus, according to WHO data.

One of the most common herpes-related questions is whether or not its possible to be infected with the herpes virus without ever experiencing any symptoms. Unfortunately, that’s a thing, and it’s called asymptomatic herpes. In fact, it’s a major thing.

While most people associate herpes with cold sores on the lips and mouth or herpes lesions on the genitals, the reality is that most people infected with the herpes simplex virus wont get any symptoms.

This means that not only is it possible to have herpes without symptoms, but it’s actually very common. Below, well explain how often herpes results in asymptomatic infections , how asymptomatic viral shedding occurs, and the best options for testing whether or not you have herpes.

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