HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

Do doctors test for genital herpes without a visible outbreak? why or why not?

A doctor has provided 1 answer
Dr. Hunter Handsfield answered

Specializes in Infectious Disease

Yes and no: Partly answered yesterday; see that reply. Doctors may or may not do blood tests without visible outbreaks, depending on symptoms and risks; and every doctor is different.

Answered 12/20/2015

1.8k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

Can testes determine if an herpes outbreak was recent? Also. Can the antibody test tell whether is herpes 2 on lips or genitals?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

My partner told me his HSV 1 antibody test came back positive years ago but he has never had an outbreak. He says its oral/caught from sibling. Am I at risk for genital herpes if we have had oral and unprotected sex?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Have genital herpes. No visible outbreak at time of sex & used a condom but base of penis was partly exposed. What are the chances of HIV?

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Can a genital herpes outbreak take the form of shingles on the cheek?The first outbreak years ago was bc of HSV 1, no test done this time.

2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

A member asked:

Prescribed Valtrex (valacyclovir) bc I tested positive for HSV2 antibodies blood test, but no outbreak - ok to to take even if I may not really have genital herpes?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

The doctor said Im having a herpes genital outbreak but the bumps arent itchy or sore yet. Im on the antiviral is this maybe why or is it not an outbreak? On inner labia minora?
Will my doc allow me to suppress my genital herpes after just my 1st outbreak of hsv1 on my genitals I'm afraid to pass this on to my kids?
Is there any way to test for genital herpes with out having an outbreak? Also could genital herpes be confused for something else?
3 weeks passed since the herpes-like genital outbreak. Igg for hsv-1&2 was (-) on the day of outbreak. Is 3 weeks enough time for an accurate test?
Can doctors test for herpes by swabbing or doing a culture of the mouth or vagina....Without an outbreak?

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.