Initial Outbreak?

[JAS911]

I've been living with my boyfriend in a monogamous relationship for about a year.
About a month ago, he was in a panic when he had a small cluster of small white blisters /bumps on his penis. He went to the doctor that day and it was confirmed by a blood test that it was herpes.

All the information I've read says that the initial outbreak happens within 2-14 days of being infected. Of course that would mean that he's been unfaithful as I've been tested and am negative. I also repetitively read that men can be infected with the virus for a while without knowing it. This is conflicting information to me.

Is it possible that he has had the virus the past year and is just now seeing visible symptoms?

Any input is appreciated :)

[Life360_Dave]

Please read my comment about the blood test and numbers. Blood and swab dont show positive at the same time.

[JAS911]

Then how did you know you had it?
My doctor explained to me that it can lay dormant for years, and the person will usually find out from being tested but still have had no symptoms. It was my understanding that if you do happen to get the sores or bumps as a symptom, it is usually from the initial outbreak within 2 weeks of exposure.

She didn't mention that the first visible outbreak could be a year later if he's never had symptoms prior.. That is what was confusing.

[msmccoy]

I had gone for a routine pap smear and while doing the examination my doctor noticed an ulceration and told me it could be herpes, so he did a culture swab and that's how I got my diagnosis. I swear to you I had never had the painful breakout, flu symptoms are any of the symptoms that occur 2-14 days after infection that we all have rwad about. I had no clue that I had this, it did however explained why I had experienced a burning sensation in the area when I urinated a day or two prior to the doctor visit, other than that I was clueless.
I hope by now you have been much more informed and have a clearer understanding of this disease. Believe me, I understand the pain and stress of the diagnosis, but it will get better.

[msmccoy]

Please understand that many people do not have an initial breakout, the information your reading does not apply to all cases, that was the first thing my doctor made clear to me when I was diagnosed with genital herpes II after being married to my husband for 14yrs. Some cases are really mild,such as mine. I believed that he had been faithful and he believed that I had also, we also believed that neither of us had no idea that one of us had carried this disease for so long without knowing.  Believe it is possible, so give him a change and do more research, genital herpes can be dormant for years.

[Life360_Dave]

Lets put it this way, when a person has a herpes blood test, they take it 3 months post any exposure as take time to build anibodies. So if he had a positive blood test at the same time as the swab was taken its an old infection at least 3 months prior and if the numbers were well over 5 would indicate quite old. Find out what numbers showed up as may shed some light on this. But again some people dont have an initial outbreak.

[JAS911]

Thank you so much for your help. I guess I'm just trying to figure out the logic.. If initial outbreaks almost always happen within 2 weeks of being infected.. And this was his first visible outbreak, wouldn't that mean he came in contact with the virus within that 2 weeks prior period?

[Life360_Dave]

its just saying that those that do have an outbreak as many donot, they would happen in 2-14 days.

[JAS911]

I see. So why does all the informative literature say the initial breakouts happen 2-14 days after being infected?

[Life360_Dave]

Yes absolutly he could have had it for years and another thing that would indicate its not recent is that very often flu like symptoms would appear after the first outbreak and another thing is that the first outbreak of hsv2 would be quite painful.
All indications point to an old infection.

[JAS911]

I honestly don't have his records in front of me.. I just know his doctor visually said it was herpes, then confirmed with both a swab and blood test. HSV2
He is on daily Vacyclomir now.

My question is that it says initial breakouts happen between 2-14 days after being infected, then in the same literature says you can be infected without knowing it for months or even years.

Is it possible that this wasnt the initial breakout and he has had this for some time and is just now experiencing visible symptoms?

[Life360_Dave]

to avoid the false positive issue, what numbers came up in the test, very important to know this.

[JAS911]

It is HSV 2..

[Life360_Dave]

Hi, a blood test does not say the location of herpes as it could be oral from childhood or genital. Herpes sores are not white but clear liquid filled and would be quite painful. To confirm if an active sore is herpes it needs to be swab tested to confirm the location. Did they say hsv1 or hsv2?
I suspect its hsv1 oral from childhood and not genital.