Can you visibly tell whether your partner has herpes or not?

Answer 1

The only way a person can tell if another person has herpes is by actually seeing an outbreak. Most of the time people with herpes are not on an outbreak though.

I have had genital herpes for 6+ years. I haven't had an outbreak in over 2 years. So, unless I was actually having an outbreak, no one would know I have the virus.

Answer 2

No, you cannot always tell. If a person who has herpes is not experiencing an outbreak (where sores are visible), there are no physical signs that they are a carrier of the virus. Most people with herpes experience about 3-4 outbreaks a year. The outbreaks last about 10 days. So that is only 30-40 days a year (365 days) that there are PHYSICAL signs.

"It is important to know that even if a person does not have any symptoms he or she can still infect sex partners."

http://www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm#signs

"Between 50 and 80 percent of American adults have HSV-1. And about 25 percent of American adults have HSV-2. Millions of people do not know they have herpes because they never had, or noticed, the symptoms."

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/sexual-health/std/herpes.htm

"While some people realize that they have genital herpes, many do not. It is estimated that one in five persons in the United States has genital herpes; however, as many as 90 percent are unaware that they have the virus. This is because many people have very mild symptoms that go unrecognized or are mistaken for another condition or no symptoms at all."

http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_symptoms.cfm

"There are several days throughout the year when herpes can be spread even when no symptoms are present (called asymptomatic reactivation or asymptomatic shedding)."

http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn.cfm

I am assuming that eventually the people WITH herpes will out number those WITHOUT the virus. It is easily transfered, mostly by people who are unaware they have the virus. Best wishes.....

Answer 3

No, they could be having an outbreak and not even know it themselfs. Not only that, you're pretty much always contaigus if they do have Herpes, whether or not they are having an outbreak.

Answer 4

Sometimes, but not usually. I would not rely on a single visual inspection. Herpes goes into remission periodically (i.e. in between breakouts).

Answer 5

if they are having an out break yes, they look like small blister like pimple things. if they are not having an outbreak you may still get infected and ther "special" parts look normal.

Just be carefull!!! Use a condom everytime!
Good Luck & I hope I helped

Answer 6

in some cases yes, and in others no. sometimes there may be no symptoms at all. things to look out for though, are lesions around the genitals or mouth area and sometimes some discoloration

Answer 7

Only when they are actively having a break out. They may still be contagious and not aware of it.

Answer 8

If they are having an outbreak, Yes. If not they can still be contagious and you wouldn't be able to tell....wear a condom!

Answer 9

sometimes if they are breaking out

Answer 10

Enough