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Is Genital Herpes Infectious If There Are No Physical Symptoms?
Question: is there a test for genital herpes is it infectious even if no physical symptons
Brief Answer:
yes,antibody test.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to HealthcareMagic!
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
Genital Herpes is an viral infection caused from Herpes Symplex Virus (type 2 most common).It is transmitted through sexual intercourse (every type of close contact skin to skin or mucous contact).It is an STD.
Genital herpes frequently has no symptoms, so you can be infected and contagious without knowing it.
Usually physical examination is sufficient for the diagnosis but it is possible to diagnose this infection even without physical findings.
The best test to diagnose genital herpes is performed when skin lesions are present and a swab is taken from the lesion and examined for the presence of HSV (PCR test).
When there are no symptoms present ,herpes can be diagnosed by running a blood test that identify the presence of antibodies against herpes virus in blood(antibodies test).
Antibodies against HSV take up to three months to form after the initial infection. So this test may result negative even if he has herpes ,if the test is done earlier that 3 moths after the infection.
Hope it helps.
Let me know if you have any other question or doubt to clarify.
I will be happy to assist you further.
Kind Regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
yes,antibody test.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to HealthcareMagic!
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
Genital Herpes is an viral infection caused from Herpes Symplex Virus (type 2 most common).It is transmitted through sexual intercourse (every type of close contact skin to skin or mucous contact).It is an STD.
Genital herpes frequently has no symptoms, so you can be infected and contagious without knowing it.
Usually physical examination is sufficient for the diagnosis but it is possible to diagnose this infection even without physical findings.
The best test to diagnose genital herpes is performed when skin lesions are present and a swab is taken from the lesion and examined for the presence of HSV (PCR test).
When there are no symptoms present ,herpes can be diagnosed by running a blood test that identify the presence of antibodies against herpes virus in blood(antibodies test).
Antibodies against HSV take up to three months to form after the initial infection. So this test may result negative even if he has herpes ,if the test is done earlier that 3 moths after the infection.
Hope it helps.
Let me know if you have any other question or doubt to clarify.
I will be happy to assist you further.
Kind Regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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