Can herpes lay dormant for years?

Herpes can lay dormant (sort of like it's inhibernation) for years without causing any noticeablesymptoms. Because of this, many people don't know they have it andmay have trouble figuring out how or when they got it. Whensymptoms do occur, they often appear as small blisters on or aroundthe genitals.

Moreover, how long can herpes dormant?

Herpes dormancy period The average is two to four outbreaks a year, but somepeople can go years without an outbreak. Once a person hascontracted HSV, they can transmit the virus evenduring dormant periods when there are no visible sores orother symptoms. The risk of transmitting the virus when it'sdormant is less.

Furthermore, can herpes show up years later? A person may show symptoms within days aftercontracting genital herpes, or it may take weeks, months, oryears. Some people may have a severe outbreak within daysafter contracting the virus while others may have a first outbreakso mild that they do not notice it.

In respect to this, can herpes be dormant for 30 years?

Genital herpes is caused by the herpessimplex virus (HSV). Sexual contact is the primary way thevirus spreads. After the initial infection, the virus canlie dormant in the body and can reactivate severaltimes a year.

Is it possible to have herpes and never have an outbreak?

When it does, it is often only once. Then, the personnever has another outbreak even though they stillhave the herpes infection. Their sex partners don'tget this infection because HSV-1 infections arealready so common. Some people, however, get genitalherpes outbreaks, often several times eachyear.

24 Related Question Answers Found

Why is herpes not curable?

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is theinfection that causes herpes. People can also be infectedwith the virus and have no symptoms. Right now, the soresand other symptoms of herpes are treated with one of severalantiviral medications. There is no cure and there isno preventative treatment such as a vaccine.

Is herpes less contagious over time?

(Health.com) -- People who carry the genitalherpes virus but have no visible symptoms -- and may noteven be aware they're infected -- are still capable of spreadingthe virus about 10% of the time, according to a new study inthe Journal of the American Medical Association.

Is there a blood test for herpes?

Blood tests can detect the HSV antibodies,which are proteins produced by the immune system in response to aninfection. Unfortunately, an antibody test only testswhether you have been exposed or ever had herpes virus.It is helpful, but does not diagnose a specificoutbreak.

What causes a dormant virus to become active?

Scientists have found that interactions betweendifferent viruses can trigger dormant viruses toreactivate and cause disease. Following the first infection- usually after 1 or 2 weeks - the virus will becomedormant in the facial nerve tissues.

How accurate is a herpes blood test?

The accurate herpes blood tests detect IgGantibodies. Unlike IgM, IgG antibodies can be accurately brokendown to either HSV-1 or HSV-2. However, since mostcases of genital herpes are caused by HSV-2, apositive result for type-2 antibodies most likely indicates genitalherpes.

Can you give yourself herpes?

As mentioned above, you can also get genitalherpes if a partner with oral herpes performs oralsex on you. You can give yourself genitalherpes too, by touching a cold sore and then touching yourgenitals or anus.

Can you get herpes without being sexually active?

STDs can spread without even havingsex.

Things like kissing a loved one or familymember, conducting oral, sharing contaminated food, borrowingunclean towels, and more can transmit STDs like chlamydia,herpes, and hepatitis. 20 million new cases ofsexually transmitted infections spread in the U.S. everyyear.

How long does it take for herpes to show up on a blood test?

Those are something your body makes to fight thevirus. You might get a blood test if you think you have beenexposed but you don't have any symptoms. Labs may use differenttypes of blood tests. With some you can get results the sameday, but others may take up to 3 weeks.

What can I put on herpes sores?

To ease symptoms:

Take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin to relieve pain.
Apply cool compresses to sores several times a day to relievepain and itching.
Women with sores on the vaginal lips (labia) can try urinatingin a tub of water to avoid pain.

Has anyone been cured of herpes?

While there's no cure, herpes treatment issimple and can shorten or prevent outbreaks, so you can stillhave a love life. “People have adisproportionate fear of herpes in relation to any otherSTI,” Grim says.

Is it illegal to not tell someone you have herpes?

That being said, it is typically illegal, civillyand criminally, to knowingly or recklessly transmit an STD.Telling someone you have an STD is not the sameobligation as knowingly transmitting an STD. Specifically, somestates have laws that require you to tellcertain people if you are HIV-positive.

How can you prevent spreading herpes?

There are a few ways that you can stop it from spreading toyour partners and other parts of your body.

Always use condoms and dental dams during oral, anal, andvaginal sex.
Talk with your doctor about taking herpes medication every day,which can lower your chances of spreading herpes.

Can herpes go away forever?

Genital herpes symptoms can come andgo, but the virus stays inside your body even after allsigns of the infection have gone away. The virus becomes"active" from time to time, leading to an outbreak. Some peoplehave outbreaks only once or twice. Other people may have four orfive outbreaks within a year.

How easy is it to get herpes?

Herpes is easily spread from skin-to-skincontact with someone who has the virus. You can get it whenyour genitals and/or mouth touch their genitals and/or mouth— usually during oral, anal, and vaginal sex. You can alsoget herpes from kissing someone who has oralherpes.

Can you get herpes from a toilet seat?

It's very unlikely that you would getgenital herpes from a toilet seat. Genital herpes isa sexually transmitted infection (STI) spread by skin-to-skincontact. In most cases, the virus enters your body through mucousmembranes — the type of skin found in your mouth, genitals oranus.

Can you get herpes from a towel?

Herpes (oral & genital) cannot be spreadthrough inanimate objects such as spoons, glasses, razors,towels, bed sheets, etc. Herpes can only be passedthrough direct skin-to-skin contact with the infected area such askissing, oral sex, genital-to-genital rubbing, vaginal, and analsex.

Can you live a normal life with herpes?

People with herpes have relationships andlive totally normal lives. There are treatments forherpes, and there's a lot you can do to make sureyou don't give herpes to anyone you have sexwith. Millions and millions of people have herpes —you're definitely not alone.