Many people who get genital herpes only have mild or no symptoms or only one outbreak.
Others could have periodic or even regular outbreaks.
Genital herpes is highly contagious, but transmission rates depend on many factors.
Davin G Photography / Getty Images
Davin G Photography / Getty Images
How Is Genital Herpes Spread?
The risk of genital herpes can differ depending on gender and sexual orientation.
For many people, the first outbreak can be mild or have no symptoms at all.
About 88% of people aged 14 to 49 who have herpes have not been diagnosed.
Is Undiagnosed Herpes Contagious?
The virus is contagious about 10% of days for people without outbreaks.
For those with outbreaks, it is contagious about 20% of days.
When Should You Get Tested for Genital Herpes?
On average, herpes takes about two to 12 days after sexual contact for herpes symptoms to appear.
Avoiding sharing sex toys and avoiding sex during outbreaks can also minimize the risk of transmitting genital herpes.
Talk to your partner about getting tested and staying safe.
This contact typically occurs during sex when you touch the genitals and/or mouth of the person with the virus.
Herpes takes about two to 12 days to show up after exposure.
An outbreak can take two weeks to a month to be healed.
Taking antiviral medication can reduce the length of an outbreak and prevent future outbreaks.
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