CA
A 52-year-old male asked:
i have a small herpis outbreak on my penis about once a year that lasts about 7 days. am i contagious all throughout the year?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in

Dr. Moez Khorsandi answered
Urology 27 years experience
No: Herpes is a virus that causes outbreaks in the skin. You are generally infectious when you start feeling a sensation on your penis even when no visible lesions are present (prodromal stage). You are also contagious during the outbreak as there is typically a large amount of viral shedding at this point. Once the lesions dry and are resolved, you are not contagious.
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Last updated Jun 27, 2013
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