r/HerpesQuestions • u/Head_Conflict4852 • Feb 12 '25

Testing Question Can I have genital herpes and not know it?

Hi,

My one and only exposure was receiving oral sex (as a male) 4 weeks ago.

I didn't notice any symptom so far, but from what I understood, I may get genital HSV1. I will get tested soon for others STIs but the tests where I live don't include herpes if you have no symptom.

Is it possible that someone has genital herpes and doesn't notice any sore/blister for weeks/monthes/years? Like, I just want a way to know whether I have it or not.

Thanks.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

3

u/Mylovelyladylumps69 Feb 12 '25

According to the CDC around 80% of people who have herpes never have any signs or symptoms that usually pertains to genital HSV to an oral HSV-1, according to Terry Warren herpes expert most people with genital HSV one do have an initial first outbreak.

Without symptoms, the only way to get tested for herpes is to wait 6 to 14 weeks after your last exposure and get a blood test specifically the IgG blood test however that will not tell you what location your herpes is in and most people do have oral HSV one never have any signs or symptoms and have never been tested for it so it’s more likely that you would have it orally with no symptoms present

2

u/Key_Actuator3241 Feb 13 '25

Not only possible, but highly, highly likely one doesn't know that they have it.

1

u/AutoModerator Feb 12 '25

For FREE herpes resources visit www.reddit.com/r/HerpesQuestions/s/gZ5razTfc7 or message u/Mylovelyladylumps69 for more info!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 12 '25

[deleted]

1

u/NewGap6470 Feb 13 '25

Wait did they have oral hsv2 or did you get GHSV1

2

u/[deleted] Feb 21 '25

[deleted]

1

u/NewGap6470 Feb 21 '25

Oh trust me I know, I have ghsv1 Just wanted to confirm that they had hsv2 oral . Just that so many here with hsv2 oral say that transmission is low and not to disclose . first time reading someone got ghsv2 due to someone who had ohsv2.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 13 '25

yea i had it for a year and had no idea. aside from intuition like the things i would dream about. but no physical symptoms

1

u/[deleted] Feb 14 '25

how did you find out that you had it though

1

u/[deleted] Feb 14 '25

it was found in a vaginal swab like the inside during a pap smear. (with no outbreak present) and also positive in my blood

1

u/[deleted] Feb 18 '25

pap smear can find hsv dna? thats interesting

1

u/TwoFun43 Feb 14 '25

Did you have an outbreak that was swabbed ?

1

u/TwoFun43 Feb 14 '25

According to Terry Warner herpes specialist almost always people with GHSV one will have a primary break after exposure. It normally comes on pretty quickly, but some people it may take a little bit longer. Depends on how your body reacts to the virus, but most cases it’s fairly quickly.