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Is Unprotected Sex Advisable When Diagnosed With Herpes Infection?

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Posted on Tue, 29 Sep 2015
Question: I had herpes at 19 i have occassional outbreaks when i am stressed or with pms

I take one valtrex a day and since then i have no outbreaks

Am i able to have unprotected sex with a regular partner or can I transfer the herpes virus to them even when I don;t have outbreaks
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
it is possible to transmit with no symptoms

Detailed Answer:
HI , thanks for using healthcare magic

It is possible to transmit herpes even if no rash or other symptoms are present. This is called asymptomatic transmission.

According to an medical studies (can provide reference article if you would like), the herpes virus can be shed and picked up in the secretions of persons known to have herpes on 20 to 25 % of days,with no symptoms being present.

This means that a person with no symptoms can potentially transmit the virus 6 to 7 1/2 days of a 30 day month.

Since there are also a large number of persons who have herpes and do not know it because they do not have the typical symptoms, it is possible that your partner may or may been already been exposed to this infection at some point in his life.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Is Unprotected Sex Advisable When Diagnosed With Herpes Infection?

Brief Answer: it is possible to transmit with no symptoms Detailed Answer: HI , thanks for using healthcare magic It is possible to transmit herpes even if no rash or other symptoms are present. This is called asymptomatic transmission. According to an medical studies (can provide reference article if you would like), the herpes virus can be shed and picked up in the secretions of persons known to have herpes on 20 to 25 % of days,with no symptoms being present. This means that a person with no symptoms can potentially transmit the virus 6 to 7 1/2 days of a 30 day month. Since there are also a large number of persons who have herpes and do not know it because they do not have the typical symptoms, it is possible that your partner may or may been already been exposed to this infection at some point in his life. I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions