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What Is The Incubation Period Of A Herpes Infection?

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Posted on Thu, 26 Mar 2015
Question: I had my first very painful experience with new diagnosis of herpies. I have had plenty of stress over the past decade but little in the past 2 years. How does exposure to the virus and incubation period play out. Could it have laid dormant for 20 years in my husband and he exposed me even though he had no symptoms. He has admitted to an affair 3 years ago but I have reason to believe up to 6 months ago
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Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (24 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
the incubation period is only a few days

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

it takes only a few days before the newly acquired herpes virus demonstrates its existence in the body. It may take from 2 to 12 days. Herpes may indeed remain dormant. Reactivation happens from time to time causing symptoms.
If we're talking about genital herpes then - unfortunately - transmission may occur even when the patient has no symptoms because of virus shedding.

In patients with genital herpes chemoprophylaxis with antiviral drugs reduces transmission rates.

Please note that the same principles may apply to you too! It's possible that you had the infection without having any symptoms until it was activated.

I hope I've helped!

Kind Regards!
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3810 Questions

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What Is The Incubation Period Of A Herpes Infection?

Brief Answer: the incubation period is only a few days Detailed Answer: Hello, it takes only a few days before the newly acquired herpes virus demonstrates its existence in the body. It may take from 2 to 12 days. Herpes may indeed remain dormant. Reactivation happens from time to time causing symptoms. If we're talking about genital herpes then - unfortunately - transmission may occur even when the patient has no symptoms because of virus shedding. In patients with genital herpes chemoprophylaxis with antiviral drugs reduces transmission rates. Please note that the same principles may apply to you too! It's possible that you had the infection without having any symptoms until it was activated. I hope I've helped! Kind Regards!