Kennesaw, GA
A 20-year-old female asked:
Since herpes "shed" with no outbreak can't providers do oral swabs and vaginal cultures without an outbreak to diagnose or rule out herpes 1 or 2?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 35 years experience
Not practical...: If neither the patient nor the doctor can guess when the patient is shedding (on which, if any, of the 365 days of the year is the patient shedding?), it is not practical to try to catch shed viruses, if the patient doesn't have outbreaks. What if the patient has had both herpes 1 and 2, but rarely sheds either? Such things in real life are not predictable.
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5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Related questions
A 20-year-old female asked:
If you only have a herpes outbreak in your anus but never noticed a vaginal outbreak, can you still spread herpes through vaginal sex or just anal?
Dr. Steven Hebertanswered
Pathology 31 years experience
Difficult to say: Certainly you could infect someone else if you have an active lesion in either location. Use precautions and tell your partner about the risk of cont... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
Dr. Robert Killian commented
General Practice 30 years experience
I may have different information than Dr. Hebert offered. Here are the facts: one who is infected with herpes can be contagious through viral shedding whether they have a lesion or not. If your anal lesion is truly herpes you cannot get infected or be contagious in another spot.90% of those infected do not have outbreaks and can only know they are infected with a blood test.
Oct 9, 2013
View all answers
A 22-year-old female asked:
Can a herpes outbreak cause a foul vaginal odor?
Dr. Susan Arnoultanswered
Family Medicine 27 years experience
No: Herpes causes ulcerations. If you have a foul discharge you may have bacterial vaginosis, trichomonas, gonorrhea or chlamydia. You should be checked... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Can I still give vaginal birth if I have a herpes outbreak on my butt?
Dr. Darrin Cunninghamanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 32 years experience
Not necessarily: The recommendations are that a cesarean section be performed if there are active genital infections. So, your doctor would have to see where you lesio... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
190 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Can a Colposcopy bring out a vaginal herpes outbreak?
Dr. Ron Eakeranswered
Specializes in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Any stressful scenario can trigger an existing herpes infection to an outbreak. If you were anxious about the colposcopy that may play a role. Anecdo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Answered Sep 19, 2021
A 32-year-old female asked:
A man has herpes and at times he uses Aquaphor ointment or tea tree ointment to moisturize (non-outbreak times) can that cause a woman vaginal issues?
Dr. Mary Davidanswered
Specializes in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Yes: The vaginal tissues are very sensative and only water soluble products without dyes, perfumes, or deodorants should be used there. He can use them but... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Last updated Nov 28, 2017
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