Can you get tested for genital herpes even if you don't show symptoms?

And will the results be accurate?

My boyfriend just found out that he has genital herpes. His doctor told him he has had it for a long time and is now showing symptoms. He was also informed that he has HVS-1, which is not as bad as HVS-2 when outbreaks are often. Now I'm afraid I may have contracted it because there were a few times when a condom was not used. Is it contagious before it's initial outbreak? Coz the last time we had sex was weeks before he started having symptoms. Is it true that you can still catch it when there are no symptoms AND with a condom on? I'm confused because I keep hearing different things.

Both strains of herpes are always contagious, whether there is an outbreak or not. However, if your partner does not have an active outbreak, then the risk of you contracting it is reduced. Using a condom reduces your risk even further, but since herpes is spread by skin-to-skin contact, it may still be possible for you to get it, because condoms don't cover all the bits and pieces of the genitals.

HSV-II tends to be less symptomatic in men, and is a lot harder to test for. So it is very possible you may have contracted it from him before his initial outbreak. It's darn near impossible to tell when and from whom he may have gotten it from, as well, due to the way it spreads and how it's always contagious. That means he may have had it for years and not known about it.

Herpes is one of the most common STIs there are. 1 in 4 teenagers have a form of it, and 70+% of adults have at least HSV-I. It's definitly not the end of the world, it just means you both have to be a little more cautious from now on.

For starters, that means definitly use condoms at all times. For you, make sure you get your yearly pap smear and exam, as those are what can pick up the changes in cervical cells that can indicate cervical cancer. Unless you have an active outbreak, that is probably gonna be the only way to diagnose you. Avoid sexual contact during outbreaks, and if your boyfriend gets prescribed medication to help with outbreaks, make sure he's taking it like directed.


Good luck with everything. :)

As long as he had no sings of an out break when you had unprotected sex you have less risk of getting herpes from him. HSV1 is very common to have 50-90 percent of the world has it (about 8 out of 10 people) it's what usually causes cold sores around the mouth. It wouldn't surprise me if you tested positive for HSV1 too.
Herpes is at it's most contagious point while there are ANY signs of an out break NOT just during the initial one.
You can contract it when there are no signs or symptoms because of viral shedding which happens a few days before and a few days after an out break and is undetectable even to he person who has herpes.
Yes you can catch herpes even when there are no symptoms and even if condoms are used but your not as likely to get herpes from him when he has no out breaks when you have sex. Condoms don't cover all areas of the genitals that genital herpes can affect. It doesn't just affect the shaft.

There are blood tests they can do for herpes but when there is no outbreak it can be difficult to get an accurate result... There is no way a Dr. can tell him that he has had it for a long time and just now showing symptoms of it... People can carry it for a long time and not even know it while others have an outbreak right away...

You can pass it even when no symptoms are present.. That is called shedding. Nobody know when they are shedding which is why it is easy to pass... using condoms does lessen the risk of passing/catching it but it's not 100%.. Make sure to always use protection and avoid sex when there is an outbreak present..