how long does it take for genital herpes to spread?
967388
approx. 10 to 14 days.  There is no cure like someone answered.  It just becomes dormant.
934286
Are the "bumps" fluid filled (blisters) or solid? How long does it take for them to go away? What other things are you experiencing (does your groin hurt? do you have a vaginal discharge? If so, what color/consistency?) I agree with the other members advice that you need to go see your OBGYN and refrain from sexual contact until a diagnosis has been determined. If you have contracted herpes, although it is not cureable, it is certainly not the end of your sex life, you just have to be careful when you do have sex (use condoms, no sex when you are experiencing an outbreak) and good communication between you and your partner. One-third of the American population has some type of herpes infection (either genital or oral) although many do not experience any symptoms, only an ELISA (a type of diagnosic test) can determine if you have been infected if you have no symptoms. Because this test is extremely expensive most folks have no idea if they are infected. When you are having symptoms it is important to go see your doctor or nurse practitioner to prevent infection to others. \nEducate yourself about herpes and rest assure that you can have a natural childbirth, it is not a fatal disease, and be thankful that it is not HIV.
21301
herpes is weird, you might never get anything, outbreaks and all, or it may come in a week.  \nusually you would have to have a lab test of skin cell during an outbreak to tell if it was herpes or not, but then you have an outbreak already and you pretty much know, but the doctor can tell you for sure, or a blood test can tell as well.
521840
A herpes outbreak starts with a tingling in the infected area. Actually, anywhere around the area can tingle and/or itch. Soon after (a few hours to a day) "pimple" like sores will appear. They will then "pop" and leave open sores. They can take 1-3 weeks to heal.
242341
Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus.  Genital warts are very contagious and are spread during oral, vaginal, or an-al sex with an infected partner. They are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, an-al, or (rarely) or-al sex with someone who is infected. About two-thirds of people who have sexual contact with a partner with genital warts will develop warts, usually within 3 months of contact.
577567
1 in 4 have genital herpes now, so you are certainly not alone.  \n\nThere are lots of ways to date after herpes - the same way you did before, std dating sites, regular dating sites, etc.  It really doesn't change much.  \n\nChances of you spreading herpes are slim if you take daily suppressive meds, such as valtrex.  If you are on the meds, condoms don't statistically make that big of a difference.  It would go from a 2% chance to a 1% chance of transmission if you are on meds.\n\nCheck out the sites I have listed below.  They have helped me a lot!  On the racoon site, go to the support forums and also check out the links and articles there!
682765
Herpes can be transferred pretty easy. I got it after having sex ONE time with a guy who had it! \n\nI've read that there are couples who have been together 10 or more years, one partner has herpes and the other doesn't. I have been with my fiance for 5 years, I have it, and he doesn't. That doesn't mean that he will never get it though, he just hasn't so far. When I am on a breakout, we absolutely do not have sex, no matter what.\n\nIf you have a new partner that doesn't mean he will get it. To be sure though, and safe, you might want to use condoms every time! I hope that answered your questions. Good luck!
45870
1. Herpes is spread by direct skin to skin contact. Unlike a flu virus that you can get through the air, herpes spreads by direct contact, that is, directly from the site of infection to the site of contact. For example, if you have a cold sore and kiss someone, you can transfer the virus to their mouth. Similarly, if you have active genital herpes and have vaginal or anal intercourse, you can give your partner genital herpes. Finally, if you have a cold sore and put your mouth on your partners genitals (oral sex), you can give your partner genital herpes. \n\n2.Although there is no cure for herpes, some drugs have been effective in reducing the frequency and duration of outbreaks. It might be a good idea to discuss options with your doctor. \n\nDuring an outbreak, keep the infected area as clean and dry as possible. This will help your natural healing processes. Some doctors recommend warm showers in order to cleanse the infected area. Afterwards, towel dry gently, or dry the area with a hair dryer on a low or cool setting. To prevent chaffing, some people also find it helpful to avoid tight-fitting undergarments. Most creams and lotions do no good and may even irritate. \n\nFinally, a healthy immune system may be important in controlling the virus. Don't ignore the need for proper nutrition, exercise, and rest.
685427
Yes, you can spread herpes even if you never have any symptoms. \nThere are cases where a person can have the herpes virus and show little or no symptoms, often referred to as asymptomatic herpes.\n\nIt is possible for a person to carry the virus without knowing that they have it, in fact, up to 80% of people who are infected with HSV-2 show no signs of the infection. So it is possible for a person to unwittingly transmit the infection to their partner.\n\nThe symptoms of the infection vary greatly between individuals. It might be totally unnoticeable in one person, but cause severe blistering in their partner.\n\nThe herpes virus can lay dormant for various time periods, and may be in your system for a time period before any symptoms begin to show. The usual incubation period of the virus (time before any symptoms show) is approximately two to twelve days after the initial exposure to the virus.\n\nThe virus can remain inactive in the body for long periods. Most of the time when Herpes sores are not present on the skin the virus remains in a latent (inactive) state in the central nervous system, where it does no damage.\n\nWhen the virus reactivates (wakes up), it travels nerve paths to the surface of the skin, sometimes causing an outbreak of symptoms.
920025
Symptoms of herpes are called outbreaks. The first outbreak appears within 2 weeks after you become infected and can last for several weeks. These symptoms might include tingling or sores near the area where the virus has entered the body, such as on the genital or rectal area, on buttocks or thighs, or occasionally on other parts of the body where the virus has entered through broken skin. They also can occur inside the vagina and on the cervix in women, or in the urinary passage of women and men. Small red bumps appear first, develop into small blisters, and then become itchy, painful sores that might develop a crust and will heal without leaving a scar. \n\nSometimes, there is a crack or raw area or some redness without pain, itching, or tingling. \n\nOther symptoms that may accompany the first (and less often future) outbreak of genital herpes are fever, headache, muscle aches, painful or difficult urination, vaginal discharge, and swollen glands in the groin area. \n\nOften, though, people don’t recognize their first or subsequent outbreaks. People who have mild or no symptoms at all may not think they are infected with herpes. They can still transmit the virus to others, however.
410967
The main symptom of herpes are lesions.  The lesions may be singular or multiple (blisters) and appear anywhere in the oral and genital area. The blister will break open to form a shallow lesion that is very painful. \n\nSymptoms usually appear 1 to 30 days after having intercourse. The person may experience flu-like symptoms. The blisters will last from 1 to 3 weeks. They will go away spontaneously, with little scarring, but like with genital warts, the virus remains dormant in the body and may reappear.\n\nHerpes can be treated, but not cured. They can be treated with an anti-viral medication during an outbreak. The anti-viral medication may also be used to prevent an outbreak.\n\nPeople who have only one sexual partner are the least likely to get herpes. If you have more than one partner, or don't know if your partner is having sex with others, it is very important to use condoms.  However, condoms cannot protect areas they do not cover (the groin area, the upper thighs and the abdomen).
962719
Absolutely not.  The new thinking on herpes is that it is possible to become cured if you go long enough without and outbreak.  However, we are talking something in the order of 10 years without sign of the disease.  5 months?  pffft.  Means nothing.
743393
Yes it is possible that they could have herpes for decades and you would not get it. \n\nGenerally herpes only spreads when there is an outbreak, but it can also spread when an outbreak is going to occur (a tingling itchy feeling where the sore is going to appear).\n\nThe previous poster was wrong when they mentioned you need not worry about oral herpes. Oral herpes can spread to the genitals, and vice versa, during oral sex. \n\nThere is nothing that you need to be fearful about as long as you guys are careful when you touch in those areas. \n\nAnd really, you'd be surprised how many people have herpes anyhow. It really is not big deal in certain countries, as it is so widespread. And hey, it's just a cold sore and a slight decrease in immune functions...it could be way worse. \n\nMy last gf had it and we were together for years with no problems. If you honestly love this person, this really shouldn't be an issue at all. Hell, even if you just want to shack up with them for awhile it shouldn't be an issue hehe.
665578
Genital herpes are easy to spot; they are open red sores. Do you recall ever seeing them on him? It is slightly more difficult for men to contract GH than women since the herpes virus thrives on warm damp areas (i.e. the vagina or mouth), so even if he did cheat on you with a woman with GH, it would be possible for him not to contract the virus. Although this is not as likely, but not impossible either, if he has an oral strain of the herpes virus and might have "gone down" on you while he had a cold sore, that strain could have mutated into the HSV-2 or HSV-1 type (genital herpes).
1001920
Don't freak out. It could possibly be a folliculitis (which is a hair bump) or bacterial vaginosis. The best advice I could give you is to pay the doctor a visit. Since you have never been with a person who has a herpes infection, I wouldn't be too worried about it.\n\nBut also know, that if a person has a cold sore, it is a herpes virus. If they perform oral sex on you with an active cold sore, you can develop a herpese infection in your genital area. A person who has genital herpes but isn't currently having an outbreak can still transmit the disease. The only reason why I am telling you these things is because I never knew until someone told me. \n\ntry not to worry too much and take care of yourself
550183
afchuerta - As it turns out, herpes simplex type 1 and type 2, the viruses that cause cold sores and genital herpes, can sometimes be transmitted via inanimate objects.  (When this occurs, we can those objects 'fomites'.)  We do know that the herpes viruses can survive outside of the human body for some period of time, although the precise duration is not entirely clear.  There are reports of people who have contracted genital herpes through contaminated objects such as towels, although this is relatively rare.  Cold sores (typically HSV-1) can be transmitted by fomites more easily, so it is possible that if you use the same stick of lip balm or drink from the same cup, you could develop cold sores as well.
682199
You will know if you have herpes if the sores are visible. The infected area will start to tingle right before an outbreak and then the first sore(red blisters) will appear. They will then open up and this can be very painful when you do pretty much anything. They will start to heal soon after the blisters "pop". The whole process is disgusting and hurts like hell.         OR\nSometimes people live for years and never have an outbreak so many do not know they have it.