Saturday, May 26, 2012
Saturday, August 01, 2009 wonderinginind asks

Q: How long does it normally take for someone who is exposed to have their first outbreak?

My fiance was just diagnosed with genital herpes, 9 months into our relationship. That seems a long time for an outbreak to occur due to exposure to the disease prior to our relationship. Is it possible he contracted it that long ago and is just now experiencing his first outbreak?

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Answers (5)
8/ 1/09 1:16pm

im pretty sure its can be anytime up to like 20 days

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8/ 1/09 1:18pm

yes thats how my last partner was. they were just diagnosed with herpes a couple weeks ago and they got it from someone they had sex with over a year ago.

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8/ 1/09 1:18pm

yes thats how my last partner was. they were just diagnosed with herpes a couple weeks ago and they got it from someone they had sex with over a year ago.

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8/ 6/09 6:11pm

my husband was just diagnosed with genital herpes and we have been married 10 years and together for 11 years.  NEITHER of us has ever had an affair.  The ER Dr. told us that most people have the virus and never know, especially women, because it can mimic other issues that the vagina may have.  Also, the Dr. said that a person can have it and never have an outbreak but still shed the virus.  The Dr. said it is highly likely that I have the virus after being together for this long, with kids, and just don't know. 

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11/28/09 11:46am

Actually, yes you can be asymptomatic for many years after infection and before the initial onset or outbreak. I know because I had my first outbreak around 1995 but had had no sexual contact outside of marriage for the previous 15 years, and I trust my wife, although it's possible she has it and is asymptomatic. My MD who diagnosed it is doubtful about the 15 year latency, probably because a long initial latency like that is rare. I've seen comments on other web sites that confirm the possibility of a long period of latency. It is rare but not unheard of. I wish I could find a credible medical source on this because my wife doesn't believe me.

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By wonderinginind— Last Modified: 12/25/10, First Published: 08/01/09