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Can You Spread Herpes Without Having Any Symptoms?

Genital herpes caused by the herpes simplex virus types 1 or 2 is extremely easy to acquire. In fact, Mayo Clinic experts state that 70 percent of people spread or transmitted herpes without having any symptoms.

  1. The First Outbreak

    • Herpes spreads easily, asserts the Mayo Clinic, because many people with genital herpes don't experience any symptoms during a primary (first) outbreak. Alternately, symptoms are so mild they go undetected. Up to 90 percent of people don't know that they are infected with HSV.

    Why Symptoms are Subtle

    • Those who acquire HSV-2, the virus that usually causes genital herpes, may not experience a noticeable outbreak because they already have HSV-1, the virus that causes oral herpes (also called fever blisters or cold sores). HSV-1 causes the newly-infected person to build up antibodies that fend off other herpes virus types--which can render symptoms of genital herpes negligible. But the infected person can still transmit herpes to other sexual partners.

    Asymptomatic Shedding

    • Once it enters the body, HSV-2 resides in the basal ganglia closest to the spine, laying dormant until it's reactivated. However, the American Social Health Association notes that the herpes virus can "awaken," yet cause no lesions. This is known as asymptomatic shedding, during which time the virus passes through minute cracks in the skin. During periods of asymptomatic shedding, it's possible to spread herpes without having symptoms.

    Treating Herpes

    • Currently, there is no cure for herpes. But there are prescription oral antiviral medications that can greatly reduce the frequency and severity of herpes outbreaks. When taken daily, the Mayo Clinic notes that some people experience no outbreaks at all.

    Preventing Herpes

    • Use of daily oral antivirals reduces the chances that herpes will be spread to uninfected sexual partners, as does condom use. Those with herpes should avoid having any kind of sexual contact as soon as they experience the first symptoms of an outbreak (itching, tingling or pain).

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