Herpes

When is the herpes virus infectious?

Hi, I have type 2 herpes and wondered if anyone can tell me when exactly it is infectious? I had a terrible outbreak when I contracted it in October, but I have had no visable signs since then. Is it true you can only pass it on when you've got open sores?

Public Comments

1. No, it is possible to spread , even when there is no outbreak.
2. you can go to your doctor and get a blood test and they can tell you when you got it exactly. herpes can be dormant for years. hell yeah, its true you can pass it along with open sores.
3. I just saw a commercial on TV for a drug that's supposed to help keep herpes from spreading to partners... The commercial said that many people become infected even when there is no outbreak and there are no symptoms present.
4. NO & with only having one outbreak so far - you're not aware of your PRE-symptoms yet. Some folks call it Asymptomatic shedding But what it actually is - is your body giving you signals that you're about to have an outbreak & while you're having these pre-symptoms - the area where the sores WILL BE are renewing skin - because your skin is constantly renewing itself. That shedding skin has some herpes virus in it because your nerve endings are already sending the virus to the area that will break out.... You'll need to know your pre-symptoms to be able to keep someone safe. Mine start with a cramp in my left buttcheek (my outbreaks are always on my left side of my genitals) Then progress to tingling & itching in the area that has an outbreak I'm contagious from the moment I feel the 1st cramping..... It will recurr in the same spot or close to it - so that makes it a little easier to notice
5. No, unfortunately it isn't true. I caught herpes from a partner that had no symtoms at all. It is most infectious when you have open sores, but it is infectious also from the first tingle or warning sign to 5 days after the sore has completely healed. You should also avoid contact when you are very tired or run down, or have another infection such as a cold because the virus is more likely to activate at these times. Avoid contact any time you get the warning signs in between outbreaks - I sometimes get a soreness down the back of the thigh which tells me the virus is trying to activate, but I often don't get further symptoms. It is also infectious 5-10% of days when you have no symptoms. In lab tests on volunteers, people with genital herpes were found to have infectious episodes lasting on average 5 days when they didn't develop visible signs at all. 70% of people who catch genital herpes, catch it from a partner not experiencing current symptoms. Valtrex or acyclovir can lower the risk by 50%. Condoms provide some protection but not much, especially to a man whose partner is infected. You can hugely lower the risk by taking precautions like these. Yes, I caught herpes from a partner not showing ANY symptoms, but through being careful it took 7 years before he infected me.