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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Are The Chances Of Infection To The Partner If Suffering With Herpes?

My boyfriend and I have been seeing each other/having unprotected sex since December 2009 when we first met. Right before him I had sexual intercourse with another partner and we were intoxicated and started off without a condom. Well fast forward to now my gyno tells me she sees something that looks like it could be herpes (I am very shocked since my boyfriend got tested in Feb 2010 and came out negative); it was a sore spot right by the opening of my vagina (no blister just red) I take a blood test and I am positive for type 2 herpes and they said I probably contracted it around December. So here is my question. If I got it in December..most likely from the other partner not my boyfriend. How come it didn't show up in him in Feb 2010 and what are the chances of him having it now. We have had sex during my period, while I had this sore spot and multiple times since December. Mostly unprotected since I am on the pill.
Thu, 19 Feb 2015
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Dermatologist 's  Response
Hello. Thank you for writing to us

Genital herpes is an STD and is transmitted by close/ intimate contact with an infected sexual partner.
The risk of transmission is more during an active episode of herpes and less otherwise. However, not all sexual contacts would lead to transmission of infection.
Therefore, it is not unusual that your boyfriend did'nt show up in tests because he may not have yet got the virus from you despite unprotected sex.
Another possibility is that he was tested too soon after infection.
Ideally, testing by blood for HSV should be done at least 2-4 weeks after a possible infection to give time for antibodies to form.
Whether he has it now or not can only be known by tests Or if he develops a clinical episode of herpes.
He may take up a repeat test to know it if he has it or not.
Avoiding sex during active episodes and using a condom reduces the chances of transmission and I suggest the same.

Regards
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What Are The Chances Of Infection To The Partner If Suffering With Herpes?

Hello. Thank you for writing to us Genital herpes is an STD and is transmitted by close/ intimate contact with an infected sexual partner. The risk of transmission is more during an active episode of herpes and less otherwise. However, not all sexual contacts would lead to transmission of infection. Therefore, it is not unusual that your boyfriend did nt show up in tests because he may not have yet got the virus from you despite unprotected sex. Another possibility is that he was tested too soon after infection. Ideally, testing by blood for HSV should be done at least 2-4 weeks after a possible infection to give time for antibodies to form. Whether he has it now or not can only be known by tests Or if he develops a clinical episode of herpes. He may take up a repeat test to know it if he has it or not. Avoiding sex during active episodes and using a condom reduces the chances of transmission and I suggest the same. Regards