The time it takes for the herpes virus to show up after exposure depends on how long your body takes to produce antibodies, but it usually ranges from 2 to 10 days.
HSV, also known as the herpes simplex virus, is a group of viruses that cause oral and genital herpes. HSV-1 primarily causes oral herpes, while HSV-2 most often causes genital herpes. However, either strain can be seen in any location, as they can transmit from genital to oral and vice versa. Both viruses can lead to an outbreak of sores called herpes lesions and other symptoms.
If you’ve been exposed to the herpes virus, it can take from 2 to 10 days for symptoms to appear. It’s easier to diagnose the virus to be detected on a test when you have active symptoms. It’s also easier for it to spread during an active infection.
In this article, we’ll explore all you need to know about when to get tested for herpes and how you can prevent the spread of herpes to others, including sexual partners.
Before your body can begin to fight an infection, it must produce proteins called antibodies. These proteins are designed to neutralize the incoming bacteria, viruses, or foreign pathogens.
The time it takes for your body to produce antibodies after exposure to HSV is known as the incubation period. The incubation period for both oral and genital herpes is about 2 to 10 days.
Early testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are important, but it’s just as important not to test too early. During the herpes incubation period, you may still test negative for the virus, as your body is building an immune response to the infection.
If your immune system has not yet produced the antibodies, they won’t show up on an antibody test. This can lead you to believe that you don’t have the virus, even if you do.
The best time to get tested for the herpes virus, if you haven’t had an initial outbreak, is after 10 days, when the incubation period is over. If you’re worried about a possible exposure to herpes but have not yet received a diagnosis, some steps you can take include:
- If you’re currently sexually active, stop all sexual activity until you can receive a formal diagnosis.
- Reach out to a healthcare professional and schedule an appointment once the incubation period is up.
- If you’re having an outbreak, you don’t have to wait to get tested. You can receive a diagnosis based on the lesions.
Four main types of diagnostic tests can diagnose herpes. A healthcare professional determines which type of test to use based on whether an outbreak is present.
If you’re experiencing what you believe to be a herpes outbreak, your doctor can use a viral culture test or a virus antigen detection test. If you’re not experiencing symptoms, you can have an antibody test.
- Viral culture test: A viral culture test is used to determine if a sore contains the herpes virus. This test can sometimes produce a false-negative, meaning that it may not detect the virus even though it’s present.
- Virus antigen detection test: This test determines whether antigens to the herpes virus are present in a sore or lesion.
- Antibody test: If you’re not experiencing an outbreak yet but still believe you may have been exposed, you can opt to have an antibody test performed. This test will only show a positive result if the antibodies to the virus have been developed. Therefore, this test isn’t necessarily recommended for recent exposure.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test: With this test, a healthcare professional can screen a sample of your blood or tissue from a sore. They can use this to determine if HSV is present and which type you have.
Herpes symptoms generally appear in 5 to 10 days. Both genital and oral herpes outbreaks have similar symptoms, but sometimes, people
The primary symptom of a herpes outbreak is sores on the mouth or genitals that resemble blisters or pimples, called herpes lesions.
In addition, people may also experience the following symptoms prior to the outbreak:
- pain and discoloration, especially around the area where the outbreak will occur
- itching and tingling, primarily in the outbreak area
- flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, or swollen lymph nodes
Most of the symptoms that occur before an outbreak indicate that the virus is replicating. Symptoms are usually the worst during the first herpes outbreak.
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Some people with the herpes virus are asymptomatic, which means that they don’t experience any physical symptoms of the disease. However, herpes can still spread even if someone is asymptomatic.
It’s possible for the virus to spread, regardless of whether or not someone has symptoms.
If you have the herpes virus and your body has produced antibodies, it can be detected on a blood test, even if you have no symptoms. The only time the virus might not be detected on a test (after you’ve contracted it) is if you tested too early.
Can you have a false-negative test result?
The only time the virus might not be detected on a test (after you’ve contracted it) is if you’ve been tested too early.
Although herpes is a lifelong virus that can’t be cured, it goes through periods of dormancy between outbreaks. This means that while the virus is still present, it’s not actively replicating.
During this time, you may not experience any symptoms of having the disease, even if you’ve had a previous outbreak before.
However, the virus can still transmit to sexual partners at any time, even if no sores are present. In addition, although relatively rare, it’s possible to spread oral herpes to the genital region and vice versa.
For this reason, it’s extremely important to be mindful of the following preventive measures:
- Consider letting partners know your genital or oral herpes status. This allows them to make informed decisions about their own sexual health, and it’s the responsible thing to do.
- If you’re experiencing symptoms of an upcoming outbreak, avoid all sexual contact. Herpes is more likely to spread to others during an outbreak when the virus is shedding.
- The herpes virus can spread even without an outbreak. If you’re worried, research suggests that antivirals are effective at reducing this possibility.
Having oral or genital herpes doesn’t mean that you can no longer have sex. However, safe sex practices can help prevent the spread of herpes to sexual partners.
If you’ve been exposed to the herpes virus, it’s best to wait for the incubation period to pass before you get tested.
During this time period, it’s important to avoid sexual activity until you’ve received a formal diagnosis. There are multiple testing options, but a healthcare professional can choose the best one based on whether or not you’re having an outbreak.
While no treatment can cure the herpes virus, it may help manage symptoms and prevent transmission of the virus. Open communication and taking precautions with sexual partners can help prevent the spread of herpes.