My doctor told me I have traces of herpes. What does this mean?

Question

My doctor told me I have traces of herpes. What does this mean?

Answer 1

He probably means you have an ANTI-BODY for either Herpes simplex 1 or 2 virus.  

Now... don't panic!  As much as 25% of the populations in the US has antibody for these viruses!  Getting these antibody means you were exposed to the virus at one point in your life, and "exposed" could mean anything from having an intercourse with an infected person to touching the same object that someone with COLD SORE touched.  You can get either type by either of the actions while one type is more associated with sexual transmission than the other.  

You need to ask your doctor EXACTLY what he meant, though as above is only a guess with the limited information you provided.

Either way, don't panic.  This is not that big of a deal.

Answer 2

I've never heard that before. It must mean you have the antibodies in your blood. Whether you have genital or oral herpes you should inform sexual partners because either can be spread sexually. However, it's not a big deal, most people have one form or another of Herpes. Most just don't know. It's actually considered an "infection" and not a disease, even though it is in your system for life.  

Answer 3

It means you probably have herpes... I'm sorry to hear that.

Answer 4

This is meaningless.  You need to get a real answer from your doctor about what this means.

If you have "been exposed" to herpes, if you've "long ago had a mild case" of herpes, or if you're a "carrier" of herpes - then you have herpes.   There is no in between.  You've either got it - and can somtimes spread it (even if you have no symptoms) - or you don't.

Know that most people (50% to 80% of adults) have oral herpes.  If what your doctor meant is that she thinks you might have oral herpes, I wouldn't even give it another thought.   It's so common its practicallly not worth testing for.  

If what your doctor meant is that she thinks you've got genital herpes, then I would investigate EXACTLY what she meant.   If you do have genital herpes, then you can spread your herpes to sexual partners, even if you have no symptoms.   So you need to learn how to protect your partners, and you need to let them know about the risk before you have s*x with them.

I've put a link to my fave herpes website below, if you want to read up about herpes.  I guarantee that you won't find anything there about "traces of herpes" though.   It's a meaningless, made-up phrase and you need to get a better answer.

If you suspect this is about genital herpes, by the way, I would make a point of speaking to a gynecologist or someone who works at a birth control clinic.  Many general practitioners don't know much about herpes, and can give out awful misinformation about it.  

Good luck.

Answer 5

traces of herpes can mean a lot of things. there is a possibility that you may have herpes, but there are many different kinds of herpes, genital, oral, etc. traces of herpes can be found in your system if you've had the chickenpox, so don't fret, and talk to your doctor at your next visit.  

Answer 6

ask him. he's the doctor! =s