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How Can Herpes Be Detected If It Is Dormant?
Posted on
Fri, 22 Sep 2017
Fri, 22 Sep 2017
Answered on
Fri, 13 Oct 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : I just got diagnosed with herpes.
How do I know if I just got infected first time or I had it and never got the symptoms. I been reading that you could have it for many years and symptoms could develop years after.
I have been married for 20 years and had never cheated on my husband. We have 4 boys
How do I know if I just got infected first time or I had it and never got the symptoms. I been reading that you could have it for many years and symptoms could develop years after.
I have been married for 20 years and had never cheated on my husband. We have 4 boys
Brief Answer:
Regarding Herpes
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.
I am Dr. Kakkar (Dermatologist and Venereologist). I have gone through your query and I have noted your concern.
If you have had more than one sexual partners in the past then it is really not possible to know when and from whom did you contract herpes infection.
Primary infection with genital herpes can be silent and it can either remain dormant for years or may present as intermittent episodes of sores, which sometimes may be mild and go unnoticed, therefore it is really not possible to know how old is the infection except if it is a very recent infection (3-4 weeks old). A recent/ new infection may have only IgM for HSV type 1&2 detectable whereas IgG would be negative.
An old infection that is more than a few weeks old (12-16 weeks or 3 -4 months) cannot be differentiated from that infection which was acquired years ago. In both these later scenarios, IgG for HSV type 1&2 would be positive whereas IgM may or may not be positive.
In those who have a symptomatic first outbreak of Genital Herpes - Primary episode - it is usually very symptomatic with lots of pain and swelling whereas recurrences are relatively milder.
You may take a blood test ELISA for HSV type 1&2(IgG and IgM). If only IgM is positive then its a recent infection nfection however if both IgG and IgM are both positive or only IgG positive then it is likely an old infection.
Regards
Regarding Herpes
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.
I am Dr. Kakkar (Dermatologist and Venereologist). I have gone through your query and I have noted your concern.
If you have had more than one sexual partners in the past then it is really not possible to know when and from whom did you contract herpes infection.
Primary infection with genital herpes can be silent and it can either remain dormant for years or may present as intermittent episodes of sores, which sometimes may be mild and go unnoticed, therefore it is really not possible to know how old is the infection except if it is a very recent infection (3-4 weeks old). A recent/ new infection may have only IgM for HSV type 1&2 detectable whereas IgG would be negative.
An old infection that is more than a few weeks old (12-16 weeks or 3 -4 months) cannot be differentiated from that infection which was acquired years ago. In both these later scenarios, IgG for HSV type 1&2 would be positive whereas IgM may or may not be positive.
In those who have a symptomatic first outbreak of Genital Herpes - Primary episode - it is usually very symptomatic with lots of pain and swelling whereas recurrences are relatively milder.
You may take a blood test ELISA for HSV type 1&2(IgG and IgM). If only IgM is positive then its a recent infection nfection however if both IgG and IgM are both positive or only IgG positive then it is likely an old infection.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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