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Can Genital Herpes Remain Dormant For More Than One Year?

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Posted on Thu, 12 Mar 2015
Question: Can you have genital herpes and not have a breakout for a year and a half?
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Answered by Dr. Praveen G (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes it can happen

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic

People with genital herpes don't know they have it. That's because in most people it produces either no symptoms or very mild ones.

Genital herpes virus is passed from one person to another through sexual contact. Once the virus enters through the skin, it travels along nerve paths. It may become dormant (inactive) in the nerves and remain there indefinitely.

From time to time, the virus may become active. When that happens, the virus travels back along the nerve path to the surface of the skin and produce the symptoms.

People who have an initial outbreak following a genital herpes infection can expect to have four to five outbreaks within a year.

As time goes on, your body will more immune to the virus, and the outbreaks may become less frequent, even stopping altogether in some people.
Thank you.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. Praveen G

Infectious Diseases Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 2448 Questions

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Can Genital Herpes Remain Dormant For More Than One Year?

Brief Answer: Yes it can happen Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to Healthcare Magic People with genital herpes don't know they have it. That's because in most people it produces either no symptoms or very mild ones. Genital herpes virus is passed from one person to another through sexual contact. Once the virus enters through the skin, it travels along nerve paths. It may become dormant (inactive) in the nerves and remain there indefinitely. From time to time, the virus may become active. When that happens, the virus travels back along the nerve path to the surface of the skin and produce the symptoms. People who have an initial outbreak following a genital herpes infection can expect to have four to five outbreaks within a year. As time goes on, your body will more immune to the virus, and the outbreaks may become less frequent, even stopping altogether in some people. Thank you.