how long does it take for herpes to show up on a test?
540016
Genital herpes is usually diagnosed based on your medical history and a physical exam. Your health professional may ask you the following questions:\n\nDo you think you were exposed to genital herpes or another STD? How do you know? Did your partner tell you? \nWhat are your symptoms? \n1. Do you have sores in the genital area or anywhere else   on your body?\n2. Do you have any urinary symptoms, including frequent urination, burning or stinging with urination, or urinating in small amounts?\n3. If you have discharge from the vagina or penis, it is important to note any smell or color.\nWhat method of birth control do you use? Did you use condoms to protect against STDs? \nWhich high-risk sexual behaviors do you or your partner engage in? \nHave you had an STD in the past? How was it treated? \n\nThe primary outbreak of genital herpes tends to last longer and be more severe than subsequent (recurrent) outbreaks. Symptoms of a primary outbreak may include:\n\nFlulike symptoms, such as fever, headache, and muscle aches. These symptoms usually get better within a week. \nTingling, burning, itching, and redness at the site where an outbreak is about to occur (prodrome). \nPainful, itchy blisters on the penis, on the vulva, or inside the vagina. Blisters may also appear on the anus, buttocks, thighs, or scrotum, either alone or in clusters. They may be barely noticeable or as large as a coin. \nBlisters that break and become shallow, painful, oozing sores. \nSwollen and tender lymph nodes in the groin. \nPainful urination. \nAbnormal vaginal or urethral discharge.\n\nAny blisters, sores, or other symptoms that suggest genital herpes infection or another sexually transmitted disease (STD) should be evaluated by a health professional. Avoid sexual contact until you have been examined by your health professional to prevent transmitting an infection.\n\nIf your daughter feels she is at risk she should not have sex until both her and her boyfriend have been checked by a physician.
918089
How common is herpes? \nAbout 50 percent to 80 percent of the adult population in the United States has oral herpes (commonly called cold sores or fever blisters), with as many as 90% having the virus by age 50. \nMost people contract oral herpes when they are children by receiving a kiss from a friend or relative. \nAbout one in four persons in the United States has genital herpes; however, as many as 90 percent are unaware that they have the virus. There are many reasons people do not know they have herpes (see below). \nAnyone who is sexually active can contract genital herpes. \nHow is it transmitted?\n\nAny person who is sexually active can get genital herpes. \nHerpes is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact. This occurs when a contagious area comes into contact with a tiny break in the skin or mucous membrane tissue, primarily the mouth and genitals. \nMost skin on the body is too thick for the virus to go through. \nIf a person with oral herpes (sometimes called cold sores or fever blisters) performs oral sex, it is possible for the partner to get genital herpes. \nIf a person with genital herpes has sex, it is possible for his or her partner to get genital herpes. \nGenital herpes can be transmitted sexually both when symptoms are present and sometimes when symptoms are not present. \nThere are several days throughout the year (called asymptomatic reactivation, asymptomatic shedding, or subclinical shedding) when the virus may be present on the surface of the skin, but there are no symptoms. Herpes can be passed through sexual contact during this time. \nThere are no documented cases of a person getting genital herpes from an inanimate object such as a toilet seat, bathtub, or towel. Herpes is a very fragile virus and does not live long on surfaces. \nTesting\nThere are different tests available for herpes. One test, a viral culture, can be done if you are experiencing symptoms. Blood tests are available for people who may not have had symptoms or if the signs have already healed. Not all tests are accurate, however, and many health care providers are unclear on which tests to perform. To find out more about getting an accurate diagnosis, visit our section on Testing. \nReduce your risk\nAny sexually active person may contract genital herpes. Aside from abstaining from sex or mutual monogamy with one uninfected partner, there are many options a couple may consider to reduce the risk of transmission.\n\nSince one in four persons is though to have herpes and the majority of people don't know, if a partner has ever been sexually active, it is possible that she or he could unknowingly have the virus too. Accurate blood tests:hyperlink are available to determine whether a person has antibodies for HSV. Knowing a partner's status can help a couple make a joint decision about whether they need to take steps to reduce the risk of transmitting HSV.\n\nIf one or both partners have herpes, it is important to become educated about herpes, to understand the basics of herpes prevention, and to make decisions together about which precautions are right for you.\n\nIf someone has signs or symptoms around the genital or anal region (genital herpes), he or she should not have sexual activity until all signs have healed.\n\nWhen there are no symptoms present, there is still the possibility of asymptomatic reactivation:hyperlink . Using latex condoms between outbreaks for genital-to-genital contact can reduce the risk of transmission. While condoms don't always cover the potential sites of viral shedding, they offer useful protection against the virus by protecting or covering the mucous membranes that are the most likely sites of transmission. Furthermore, keep in mind that condoms also help reduce the risk of acquiring another STD.\n\nOne antiviral medication for herpes, valacyclovir (Valtrex®), has been shown to reduce the risk of herpes transmission. When a person with a history of recurrent genital herpes takes
962673
Several days.  Why? Are you gonna test positive?
874269
No way to tell, really.  I work in family planning and we hate over the counter yeast infection medications because too many women self-diagnose when, in fact, they have an STD like chlamydia.  STDs generally show up between 1 week to a month after exposure.  But some, again like chlamydia or gonnorhea, won't have any symptoms...particularly in men.  Go in and get checked.  Even for guys, the tests aren't that bad.
521768
About three-quarters of the people with it don't know it.  If you have any symptoms at all they will appear about 1-3 weeks after exposure.  Early signs are vaginal discharge and burning or painful urination.
759589
It will show up in less than an hour.\n\nIt isn't likely that they will be able to tell how much unless it is a very high-end test.
180164
Most of you are correct. Uless they are doing a hair snip test. this will reveal up to 90 days of history. If they do a hair FOLICLE test this may reveal up to a year. And if you havent yet had enough there is a fingernail cuticle test that can show up to 5 years.
250895
It really sounds like a pimple to me.  If it goes away quickly, or, if you pop it & it looks like a regular pimple - then it's probably just that - a pimple.  Cold sores do not pop.\n\nAs previous posters have said, Cold sores (herpes simplex 1) itch or tingle before they blister.  The blister might ooze a clear liquid, then it will scab over.  Genrally cold sores take 5 days to 2 weeks to heal.  Cold sores do tend to show up in the same place, but as you get older they will pop up in other areas of your lips.  \n\nIf it is a cold sore - don't worry.  Tons of people have them - most of us became infected as kids.  There are great over the counter medicines (abreva) that do a great job of shortening an outbreak.
1011367
AIDS usually shows up positive 6-12 months after being infected. Your friend is going to have to wait till then to get tested. I have been tested a few times, and all they did was take a swab from the inside of my vagina and send it to the lab. It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to get the results back (depending how fast the lab takes). They also might want to take a blood sample.\n\nThe doctor doesn't really ask you very many questions. She might ask if you think you were exposed to someone who had HIV/AIDS, how long ago, was it unprotected or not...things like that. \n\nUnfortunately there is no free test. If you go to your OBGYN or doctor it is usually covered by the insurance, if you don't have insurance it can be pretty expensive. Good luck to your friend!
1159819
No you will not get genital herpes just by laying next to someone with the virus. To get genital herpes you have to have direct skin to skin contact or have sex with them. So unless you are rubbing your genital areas together, or having sex with that person you ARE NOT going to get it. \n\nAnd your doctor is right for the most part. Usually doctors diagnose genital herpes by a physical exam, and also a pap smear for women. There is a blood test that they can do, but they have be shown to be really inaccurate, giving negative results, when you do in fact have the virus. The first or primary outbreak usually occurs 2-14 days after being infected. So unless you have had an outbreak, chances are you probably don't have the virus.\n\nThere is nothing you can really do to help your friend, just be there for him. It's not a deadly STD, and it is totally treatable with medication. \n\nThe sores caused by genital herpes are extremely painful on your first outbreak. They sort of looks like cysts or blisters rather than small pimples. You can "pop" them, but that is REALLY bad to do. If you pop them, the puss and fluid from them can get on the skin around it and cause more sores to appear! The best thing a person can do when they are having an outbreak is to leave them alone! Take the medicine the doctor prescribes you and don't touch your sores! They will heal better the less you touch them and irritate them. And ALWAYS wash your hands after you have touched them. \n\nYou can't tell if someone has genital herpes just by looking at them, or their genital area. Even if they show no signs of the virus, like sores, they can still be "shedding" the virus, which means they can pass it to you. Always wear a condom, or if you are a girl, insist the guy does. Even though condoms are not 100%, they are the safest thing you can do to protect yourself from STDS, other than abstinence.
43059
Typically within 3 months after sexual contact with an infected partner.  Although depending on your bodies immunity, it can take up to a year or more to develop.  Also some people can become infected and never show any symptoms.
27981
no. however a "fever blister" or cold sore is generally speaking most likely herpes type 1. "Genital Herpes" aka herpes type 2 however can look like just a fever blister. what I mean by this is that other than the genitals you can get herpes blisters on your fingers (usually around the cuticle area) and on you lips,inside your mouth and in some particularly painful cases on your eye lids. so by Herpes symptoms what exactly do you mean? Fever, chills, more blisters?  A blood test for herpes only shows for whether you have been exposed to the virus, NOT if you have been infected with it. The difference is that if you are exposed to a virus you blood builds up antibodies to that virus which means next time you are exposed you can fight back! When you are infected the virus "wins" and you get sick. The only definative test there is currently (at least to my knowlege) is a culture of the blister before it dries up. I know this sounds gross and it is... but if you don't find out if you have herpes, well you could go for 30 years and not know you have it and then when you are married and pregnant suddenly your husband gets an outbreak. Oh yeah did I mention that you don't have to have an outbreak to transmit herpes type 2. Now, not only do you have a significant other to worry about but did you know that if you have an outbreak during certain parts of your pregnancy your baby could die. or it might just be brain damaged. Point being just get that blister checked out ok? Trust me... The reason I know this stuff is because I waited too long to find out. I've never had a real outbreak but I have had a blood test which says I have at least been exposed to both types... so just TRUST ME You'll be glad to have a REAL answer either way
868812
the window period to get an accurate test result is 2 weeks to 6 months. This means that if you were tested (blood test by your doctor) 6 months after your last unprotected sexual encounter, chances are you are safe. These tests have a high sensitivity and specificity at 6 months. I think what others are confusing is the occurance of symptoms versus the ability of the virus to be detected by blood test. While you may not have symptoms of the virus for years or possibly decades, the presence of the virus is detectable within 6 months of infection. \nThe way the blood testing works, it that when we are infected with the HIV virus, our T cells and B cells (adaptive portion of the immune system) generate antibodies to the antigen (virus). These antibodies circulate in our blood stream and can be detected using ELISA and confirmed using Western Blotting techniques. When tested at 6 WEEKS post infection, there is 92% accuracy. So the 6 month mark is being overly cautious. \nIn terms of who you should/can sleep with safely, I would highly recommend using protection. If you have sex without sharing bodily fluid, then you decrease you chances of exposure/infection greatly. Besides, there is no guarantee that your partner has been tested. Or that they are disclosing the truth. Please be careful. One night of pleasure is not worth a lifetime stuggle with disease. Protect yourself.
426862
Herpes Simplex 2 can erupt on the mouth, but it has to get there first. Usually that happens during 0ral sex. HSV2 doesn't like to live on your mouth, so it will only erupt once or twice, then not show up again. That is unless you have a weak immune system (AIDS, chemo, etc.). If your immune system is weak, expect more eruptions, and more SEVERE eruptions.
817762
My doctor told me that HPV can take years and years to show up as something abnormal on a pap smear. I know for some people they can have positive results right away but I guess for the majority of women who don't have other symptoms is can take years to show up. He actually said it could sometimes take 10-15 years to show up as abnormal cells.\n\nThere is a DNA test they can do at the same time as the pap that can tell you if you have HPV (I don't think it specifies as per the particular strain you have). I have read about this test but my doctor hasn't heard of it (Canada).\n\nSo I guess many would be quick to tell you your boyfried cheated. I am not saying he didn't, cause let's face it- it happens. But yes, it is possible for you to have had HPV from a previous relationship (or he is a carrier of it with no symptoms from a previous relationship). It's also possible that having 2 children  put a strain on your body and it was no longer to keep the virus dormant. \n\nGood luck to you.
1038868
Unfortunately, the herpes virus lives in the skin at all times.  The chances of contracting the virus increases if sores are present, but there is still a chance when there are no sores.  \n\nhttp://www.webmd.com/hw/skin_and_beauty/hw31979.asp
284689
There are currently five ways to diagnose herpes. It is unlikely that your doctor will know about all of them. Thus, it will be to your advantage to print out this page and take it to your physician’s office when you go for testing. In addition to identifying whether an individual is infected with herpes, a test ideally should also provide 2 other pieces of information: 1) location and 2) the type of herpes simplex (HSV-1 or HSV-2). Type and location are important for assessing transmission risks (e.g., partners with the same type of HSV are unlikely to contract the same type again [regardless of locale]. However, they have a good chance of contracting a new type of simplex). \n\n1. CLINICAL EXAMINATION and an assessment of your previous symptoms (history) are very poor at detecting herpes. HSV symptoms are easily confused with other diseases (even by experts) or may present atypically (redness rather than sores), so it’s quite possible to get an incorrect diagnosis on this basis alone.\n\n2. VIRAL CULTURE - Although this test has a high rate of false negatives (~50%), it is the most valid test available. Unlike blood tests, it requires the presence of active viral shedding (e.g., open sores). This test can distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2 and has the advantage of being able to identify the location of infection. If you get this test, be sure that your doctor requests that the culture be typed (e.g., HSV-1) – most labs will not report type unless specified.\n\n3. POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR) - PCR testing also requires the presence of active viral shedding. However, PCR is a more sensitive test than viral isolation and is also type specific. PCR is now available for commercial use but it may not be available at your doctor’s facility.\n\n4. NON-TYPE SPECIFIC BLOOD TEST - Certain types of blood tests, like the older ELISA, will detect herpes, but it can’t distinguish between the two types of herpes simplex (HSV-1 & HSV-2). HSV-2 is the type usually associated with genital HSV infection, while HSV-1 is the type usually associated with oral HSV infection (i.e., cold sores). However, both types of HSV can infect either location. Non-type-specific ELISAs may be useful if patients have no history of HSV infection. However, because a significant proportion of the population is infected with HSV-1 (~70%), non-type-specific tests are usually inconclusive at determining secondary HSV infections (e.g., HSV-2) due to the amount of cross reactivity.\n\n5. TYPE-SPECIFIC BLOOD TESTS - such as the Western Blot, *Focus Technologies HerpeSelect (herpesonline.org recommended) ELISA or Immunoblot test for both HSV-1 and HSV-2 and can distinguish between the two types of HSV. Active viral shedding is not necessary (unlike PCR or Viral Isolation) in order to detect HSV infection (even if you are not currently having symptoms). There is only one U.S. lab that processes blood samples for the Western Blot (University of Washington) so you may have to wait a week or more for your results (For Canadians, the WB can be processed at lab Virdae Clinic). \n\nNOTE: Blood tests for the long-term IgG antibodies are generally reliable only after 12 to 16 weeks of infection. Please be aware that all blood tests have an error rate and that false negative indications are possible, while false positive indications are almost nonexistent. Within the first few weeks of infection, detection of early antibodies (IgM) may potentially be useful for diagnostic purposes (absence of IgG, but presence of IgM may indicate a new infection). IgM testing is limited in value because, at this time, it is not type specific. \n\nBlood Test Information: \n\nFor information on the Western Blot, HSV Type-Specific serology, contact the University of Washington Community Services at (206) 598-6066. They can provide information on the test, ordering instructions and interpretation of the test results. http://depts.washington.edu/herpes/\n\nIf you’re located in Canada, yo