How do you get hsv 2

HSV nucleic acid amplification tests NAAT are the most sensitive and highly specific tests available for diagnosing herpes. However, in some settings viral culture is the only test available. The sensitivity of viral culture can be low, especially among people who have recurrent or healing lesions. Because viral shedding is intermittent, it is possible for someone to have a genital herpes infection even though it was not detected by NAAT or culture.

Type-specific virologic tests can be used for diagnosing genital herpes when a person has recurrent symptoms or lesion without a confirmatory NAAT, culture result, or has a partner with genital herpes. Both virologic tests and type-specific serologic tests should be available in clinical settings serving patients with, or at risk for, sexually transmitted infections. If confirmatory tests are unavailable, patients should be counseled about the limitations of available testing before serologic testing.

Healthcare providers should also be aware that false-positive results occur. In instances of suspected recent acquisition, serologic testing within 12 weeks after acquisition may be associated with false negative test results. HSV-1 serologic testing does not distinguish between oral and genital infection, and typically should not be performed for diagnosing genital HSV-1 infection.

Diagnosis of genital HSV-1 infection is confirmed by virologic tests from lesions. Patients who are at higher risk of infection e.

There is no cure for herpes. Antiviral medications can, however, prevent or shorten outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the medication. There is currently no commercially available vaccine that is protective against genital herpes infection. Candidate vaccines are in clinical trials. Correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of transmitting or acquiring genital herpes because herpes virus shedding can occur in areas that are not covered by a condom.

The surest way to avoid transmission of STDs, including genital herpes, is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested for STDs and is known to be uninfected.

Persons with herpes should abstain from sexual activity with partners when herpes lesions or other symptoms of herpes are present. It is important to know that even if a person does not have any symptoms, he or she can still infect sex partners.

Sex partners of infected persons should be advised that they may become infected and they should use condoms to reduce the risk. Sex partners can seek testing to determine if they are infected with HSV. Daily treatment with valacyclovir decreases the rate of HSV-2 transmission in discordant, heterosexual couples in which the source partner has a history of genital HSV-2 infection. Counseling those with genital herpes, as well as their sex partners, is critical.

It can help patients cope with the infection and prevent further spread into the community. More information is available at www. Sexually transmitted infections among US women and men: Prevalence and incidence estimates, Sex Transm Dis ; in press. The virus transmits to others more easily after shedding.

The virus will eventually move through the nerves from the skin to the sacral ganglia, which is an area near the base of the spine. Here, it will remain dormant until it eventually reactivates. Symptoms are not always noticeable even when the virus is active, and HSV-2 is still transmissible when no symptoms are showing.

Oral herpes, also known as cold sores or fever blisters, occurs due to HSV Genital herpes, on the other hand, tends to be a more direct result of HSV-2 transmission.

In the U. The majority of people who test positive for an HSV-2 infection are unaware that they carry it for the following reasons:.

However, having one type of HSV does not mean that an individual will acquire the other. HSV-1 and HSV-2 are genetically similar , so the immune system of a person with herpes will produce antibodies to fight one infectious agent and potentially reduce the risk of contracting the other.

HSV-1 causes oral herpes. It is usually transmissible through kissing or the sharing of drinks and utensils. Most people with HSV-1 acquired it during childhood through nonsexual contact and by kissing family members and friends. Less commonly, HSV-1 may transmit to the mucous membranes of the genital area through mouth-to-genital contact during oral sex. Learn more about the link between kissing and herpes here. People with the virus may display no symptoms or very mild symptoms, or they may mistake their symptoms for those of a different illness.

However, the virus remains transmissible, even if the symptoms are not obvious. Once transmission occurs, any initial symptoms will usually appear within 2 weeks of exposure, according to the ASHA. For example, if someone has never had herpes but then has oral and genital sex with an infected partner, they can acquire the infection at both sites.

Yes: Genital herpes types I or II can be transmitted by oral sex. Cold sores are usually caused by HSV I.

If you have blisters in your genital region, your physician can order a test to determine if you have genital herpes. Your physician may take a sample of cells from the fluid inside the blister or order a blood test. Not necessarily. Although lesions can be caused by something other than herpes, false negative herpes tests can occur if the samples are not taken appropriately, if there is a long transport time between the clinic and the laboratory, or if cultures were taken late in the course of the lesions.

Lesions that occur early in the course of a herpes outbreak are much more likely to have positive cultures than cultures taken after the lesions crust over. Your physician can prescribe different medications to help reduce your symptoms and speed up the healing of an outbreak. These medicines work best when you start them soon after an outbreak occurs. Let your physician know if you are worried about your genital herpes.

He or she can recommend a support group to help you cope with the virus. This is an option for couples who are interested in having unprotected sex or who are planning to become pregnant. If you are entering into a new relationship and are aware that you have herpes simplex infection, you owe it to your partner to notify them before having sex. Suppressive therapy can address frequent outbreaks.

You can take suppressive therapy for long periods of time, or gradually taper off. The medications used to treat herpes have extremely low side effects. There are no major complications associated with these medications. Resistance to drugs that treat genital herpes — even after 20 years of use — is very rare. Herpes medications may not work as well in patients who are very immunosuppressed and have been treated with these drugs for a long time. In some cases, patients may need more drugs to suppress their viral outbreaks than others.

It is important to avoid contracting herpes during pregnancy. A first episode during pregnancy can create a greater risk of transmission to a newborn. Fortunately, it is rare for women with genital herpes to infect their babies. If you know that you have genital herpes before becoming pregnant, your physician will monitor your condition throughout your pregnancy.

If you have an active outbreak at the time of delivery, a C-section may be recommended. Depending on individual diagnosis, though, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists endorses suppressive therapy to reduce the frequency of C-section.

Shingles, also called herpes zoster, is caused by the varicella zoster virus VZV , which causes chickenpox earlier in life. It is also possible to get genital herpes if you receive oral sex from a sex partner who has oral herpes. You will not get herpes from toilet seats, bedding, or swimming pools, or from touching objects around you such as silverware, soap, or towels.

If you have additional questions about how herpes is spread, consider discussing your concerns with a healthcare provider. If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chances of getting genital herpes:. Be aware that not all herpes sores occur in areas that are covered by a latex condom.

Also, herpes virus can be released shed from areas of the skin that do not have a visible herpes sore. For these reasons, condoms may not fully protect you from getting herpes.

If you are in a relationship with a person known to have genital herpes, you can lower your risk of getting genital herpes if:. If you are pregnant and have genital herpes, it is very important for you to go to prenatal care visits. Tell your doctor if you have ever had symptoms of, or have been diagnosed with, genital herpes.

Also tell your doctor if you have ever been exposed to genital herpes. There is some research that suggests that genital herpes infection may lead to miscarriage, or could make it more likely for you to deliver your baby too early. Herpes infection can be passed from you to your unborn child before birth but is more commonly passed to your infant during delivery. This can lead to a potentially deadly infection in your baby called neonatal herpes. It is important that you avoid getting herpes during pregnancy.

If you are pregnant and have genital herpes, you may be offered anti-herpes medicine towards the end of your pregnancy. This medicine may reduce your risk of having signs or symptoms of genital herpes at the time of delivery.

At the time of delivery, your doctor should carefully examine you for herpes sores. Most people who have genital herpes have no symptoms, or have very mild symptoms. You may not notice mild symptoms or you may mistake them for another skin condition, such as a pimple or ingrown hair.

Because of this, most people who have herpes do not know it.