Transmission and Incubation Primary HSV infection implies that an individual has been exposed within the last three weeks. Clinically type 1 and 2 HSV are indistinguishable. Most transmission of herpes occurs from asymptomatic individuals. You do not have to have sores to give someone herpes, hence the need for safer sex practices. The standard for diagnosis is viral culture or antigen detection obtained by swabbing fresh herpes lesions.
Older sores are less likely to be positive.
Clinical examination by an experienced practitioner may eliminate the need for expensive testing. Commercial blood tests available at our clinic and most others do not reliably discriminate whether you harbor type 1 or type 2 herpes. Primary and severe infections are usually treated with Acyclovir 400 mg three times a day for up to ten days. Sitz baths and pain medication also help. Minor recurrences, if caught early, may be shortened by one or two days by taking Acyclovir 400 mg three times a day for five days.