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Can Genital Herpes Be Asymptomatic?

Posted on Thu, 30 Jun 2016

Question: Can u hav genital herpes for years and not kno it ?

What if u get tested yearly ? It wouldnt come out in the test?

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (1 hour later)

Yes it is possible.

Take care dear.

Brief Answer:
test can be false negative

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for follow up.

Sometime depending on test it may not be detected when patient is asymptomatic or test results can be false negative.

Hope I have answered your query, I will be happy to help further.

Regards,

Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Chintan Solanki (2 hours later)

Ok me and my gf hav been together for 6 years . She recently had her annual pap and got tested for stds along with an pelvic ultra sound . Everything negative for chymedia gonorrea syphillis hiv . Do they usually test for genital herpes ? Her nor I have ever had an outbreak . Recently we had anal sex which resulted in pain Whn i pee and a swollen lymph node went to urgent care Whn the Docter examined me I had a rash on my forskin . He said he thinks it genital herpes . Im freaking out because nor her or I had ever had any break outs . We have never used condoms . I dnt kno how to explain it to her ?

Answered by Dr. Chintan Solanki (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
doctor has not confirmed yet

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Sorry for delayed response.

Doctor has not confirmed that it is herpes. It is just possibility. Better to confirm the same with appropriate testing (culture, PCR or antibody tests).

Herpes can remain asymptomatic for years. If you can share image of lesions, I can comment further.

Take care.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar