How do you know if you have herpes?

Answer 1

The best way to find out if you have herpes of any kind is to ask your physician (i.e., in some cases, you might simply have a "cold sore" or similar non-sexually transmitted disease). Refer to the CDC link, below, for further information.

Herpes tests are done to find the herpes simplex virus (HSV). An HSV infection can cause small, painful sores that look like blisters on the skin or the tissue lining (mucous membranes) of the throat, nose, mouth, urethra, rectum, and vagina. A herpes infection may cause only a single outbreak of sores, but in many cases the person will have more outbreaks.

There are two types of HSV.

• HSV type 1 causes cold sores (also called fever blisters) on the lips. HSV-1 is generally spread by kissing or by sharing eating utensils (such as spoons or forks) when sores are present. HSV-1 can also cause sores around the genitals.
• HSV type 2 causes sores in the genital area (genital herpes), such as on or around the vagina or penis. HSV-2 also causes the herpes infection seen in babies who are delivered vaginally in women who have genital herpes. HSV-2 is generally spread by sexual contact. HSV-2 can sometimes cause mouth sores.

In rare cases, HSV can infect other parts of the body, such as the eyes and the brain.

Tests for HSV are most often done only for sores in the genital area. The test may also be done using other types of samples, such as spinal fluid, blood, urine, or tears. To see whether sores are caused by HSV, different types of tests may be done.

• Herpes viral culture. Cells or fluid from a fresh sore are collected with a cotton swab and placed in a culture cup. A viral culture is the best method of identifying a genital herpes infection. But the culture often fails to find the virus even when it is present (false-negative results).
• Herpes virus antigen detection test. Cells from a fresh sore are scraped off and then smeared onto a microscope slide. This test finds markers (called antigens) on the surface of cells infected with the herpes virus. This test may be done with or in place of a viral culture.
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. A PCR test can be done on cells or fluid from a sore or on blood or on other fluid, such as spinal fluid. PCR finds the genetic material (DNA) of the HSV virus. This test can tell the difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2. The PCR test is not often done on skin sores, but it is best for testing spinal fluid, for those rare cases in which herpes may cause an infection in or around the brain.
• Antibody tests. Blood tests can find antibodies that are made by the immune system to fight a herpes infection. Antibody tests are sometimes done but are not as accurate as a viral culture at finding the cause of a specific sore or ulcer. Antibody tests cannot tell the difference between a current active herpes infection and a herpes infection that occurred in the past. Because antibodies take time to develop after the first infection, you may not have a positive antibody test if you have just recently been infected. Some blood tests can tell the difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2.

It is thought that about half of adults in the United States likely have herpes antibodies.

A herpes infection cannot be cured. After you become infected with HSV, the virus stays in the body for life. It "hides" in a certain type of nerve cell and causes more outbreaks of sores in some people. Recurring infections can be triggered by stress, fatigue, sunlight, or another infection, such as a cold or flu. Medicine can relieve symptoms and shorten the length of the outbreaks, but medicine cannot cure the infection.

A different herpes virus (called varicella zoster) causes chickenpox and shingles.

The best way to be sure is to get a blood test to find out.

During the first outbreak you may experience flu like symptoms, watery discharge, and swollen glands. Herpes are blisters on the skin that rupture, scab over and then heal over. They can be painful or itchy.

If you have no sores for analysis, a blood test will be taken to determine if you are infected.

Usually if there are symptoms you will know. your first outbreak can be quite painful. You may still be infected if there is no symptoms so a doctor would be the only one who could tell you for sure if you are infected or not.

Most people show no symptoms at all, but those who do get visible and very distinct pus-filled blisters. If you have no symptoms and still are wondering if you have herpes, you can go to the doctor and take either a blood or a swab test.

Signs of herpes tend to develop within 3-7 days of skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Herpes infections look like small blisters or ulcers (round areas of broken skin) on the genitals. Each blister or ulcer is typically only 1-3 millimeters in size, and the blisters or ulcers tend to be grouped into "crops." Usually the blisters form first then soon open to form ulcers. Herpes infections may be painless or slightly tender. In some people, however, the blisters or ulcers can be very tender and painful.

If you have multiple painful lesions (sores) around the genitals then you very well may have herpes. To be certain you need to see a doctor or the health department. They can help you with treatment and testing if necessary.

Usually if there are symptoms you will know. your first outbreak can be quite painful. You may still be infected if there is no symptoms so a doctor would be the only one who could tell you for sure if your infected or not.

There are two strains of the herpes virus: Herpes Simplex Type 1 and Herpes Simplex Type 2. Herpes Simplex 1 is responsible for oral herpes, more commonly known as cold sores, which generally show up on or around the mouth. Herpes Simplex 2 is responsible for genital herpes and is considered to be a sexually transmitted disease.

Genital Herpes:

The most common sign of herpes is red, sensitive skin that develops sores or blisters (often referred to as herpes bumps). These lesions usually show up in and around the genital area, although female symptoms of herpes may cause these blisters to develop inside the vagina. Other signs and symptoms of genital herpes include:

• Swollen lymph glands in the groin
• Headaches
• Muscle aches
• Fever
• Lower Back pain

In women, herpes symptoms can also include vaginal discharge and pain or a burning sensation when urinating. About 25% of women will develop meningitis as a complication of their first herpes outbreak while another 10% to 15% will have troubles urinating because of their herpes.

You can be tested to determine if you have the herpes virus. If you have no symptoms, you will need to get tested to know for sure if you have the virus.

You get sores in the genital area. To be sure, a person should visit a doctor.

Some people can have herpes and never know that they have it. Herpes doesn't always give you symptoms or a break out.

If you don't have any symptoms then the best way to tell is to see a doctor, let them know that you think you may have herpes, and they should test you with a blood test. Just to warn you if you get tested via blood test too early after being exposed you can get a false negative.

If you do have a break out then again see a doctor, they can test the break out to see if it's herpes or not. This is the accurate way to test for herpes than other ways.

GO TO THE DOCTORS! GET TESTED! I know its uncomfortable and scary but trust me, if you do have it you want to start taking meds right away to get rid of the outbreak cause finding out you have herpes while also dealing with the pain and wrath of a first outbreak is no fun.

What you can also do if you are at home, try using a mirror to get a better look, if you see sores forming its probably herpes.

If you can't see actual sores, try probing around and see if there are certain areas that feel more sore than others because that might be the beginning of sores forming. Sometimes you can't be sure. Some people can contract herpes and never get any signs or symptoms of it.

The best way to tell for sure is to see a doctor and have them test you for herpes.

Answer 2

there are several different types of herpes. did you know that chicken pox is a type of herpes? the best way to find out if you have genital herpes is to go to the doctor and get an exam.