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Is HSV-2 Undetectable And Infectious?
Posted on
Fri, 24 Jun 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 24 Jun 2016
Answered on
Thu, 14 Jul 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Can you have hsv 2 for 35 years & not know it? Is it possible that your partner after all these years can test negative & not have caught it from you? Thanks!
Brief Answer:
highly unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM,
1) It is highly unlikely that someone who has herpes type-II and does not get to know about it for 35 years. However,there is very less possibility of HSV-2 to be asymptomatic (having herpes without presenting any clinical symptoms like sore skin,itching or tingling) for few years but again highly unlikely for 35 years long.
2) It is also impossible to test 'negative' herpes in spite of having asymptomatic herpes as HSV antibody testing is highly sensitive and specific test. It is confirmatory tests for herpes.
3) Since herpes is highly contagious and it transmits through skin-skin contact or through genitals (vaginal sex or oral sex etc),so it is almost impossible that your partner do not contract infection irrespective of whether the other partner is having active herpes or asymptomatic herpes.
Means when there is active genital herpes (HSV-2),it easily transmits infection to other and if someone is having asymptomatic herpes, there is more chances of spreading infection through virus shedding called as 'asymptomatic transmission'.
Hope this answers your question.Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
highly unlikely
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to HCM,
1) It is highly unlikely that someone who has herpes type-II and does not get to know about it for 35 years. However,there is very less possibility of HSV-2 to be asymptomatic (having herpes without presenting any clinical symptoms like sore skin,itching or tingling) for few years but again highly unlikely for 35 years long.
2) It is also impossible to test 'negative' herpes in spite of having asymptomatic herpes as HSV antibody testing is highly sensitive and specific test. It is confirmatory tests for herpes.
3) Since herpes is highly contagious and it transmits through skin-skin contact or through genitals (vaginal sex or oral sex etc),so it is almost impossible that your partner do not contract infection irrespective of whether the other partner is having active herpes or asymptomatic herpes.
Means when there is active genital herpes (HSV-2),it easily transmits infection to other and if someone is having asymptomatic herpes, there is more chances of spreading infection through virus shedding called as 'asymptomatic transmission'.
Hope this answers your question.Let me know if you need more clarifications.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Can you have hsv 2 lesions on you face and also your genetals?
Brief Answer:
Mostly it causes genital herpes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Herpes simplex type-II infection usually occurs at the genitals and very uncommonly it can also infect other body area like face or mouth.
Mostly it causes genital herpes.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
Mostly it causes genital herpes.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Herpes simplex type-II infection usually occurs at the genitals and very uncommonly it can also infect other body area like face or mouth.
Mostly it causes genital herpes.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Priyanka G Raj
Answered by
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