Viewer Question:

Is it possible to have the initial outbreak of herpes of the vagina 2 years after contacting it, and not know you had it?

Doctor's Response:

Herpes usually has its initial outbreak within days of the exposure. Most of the time this outbreak is severe enough that the afflicted individual is readily aware that something is wrong and that they have an infection of some sort.

Occasionally, however, the initial outbreak of genital herpes may be so mild as to not even raise the slightest suspicion and it may thus be missed altogether. It is therefore often assumed by patients who have a herpes outbreak years after the last likely exposure that it somehow sat dormant without ever causing a problem and then suddenly appeared.

The real answer to your question, if you have a current outbreak, is:

• It is from a recent exposure to herpes; or
• You had a herpes infection some time ago, did not realize it then, and now you have a recurrence.

Thank you for your question.

Last Editorial Review: 11/6/1999