Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic Hsv type 2 causes genital herpes which presents as discrete, well defined, erosions, along with pain and burning sensation. The infectin can be confirmed by a blood test Hsv Elisa which would detect IgG and IgM antobodies against the virus. Although infectivity is greater during an outbreak of herpes which may last for 5-7 days but at other times too the virus is being shed intermittently from time to time and can be transmitted, though quantity of the vrus being shed is less This is known as asymptomatic shedding and in fact most of the transmissions occur during asymptomatic shedding because the patient is usually unaware of the infection Or does nt know that it can be transmitted during this phase Awareness plays an important role because there are ways to prevent transmission e.g protected sex (condom) reduces the chances of virus transmission by 50% and together with antivirals e.g Valacyclovir by up to 70%. Therefore, it is always advisable to have protected sex even when there are no obvious genital sores, if one of the sexual partner is carrying the infection. Regards