I am 52 and recently had a blood test that showed I have antibodies of HSV 1 and HSV 2. It was quite a shock because I have never had a genital outbreak. I have however been getting cold sores every few years on my lip since I was a child.
So how long have I had it? Good question and a question I can't answer. Could have had it for 30 years or more, but never transmitted to my wife of 20 years or any women since my divorce.
I went to my GP Doctor. Top of his field. He told me that if I have never had an outbreak then it is impossible to know if I have the virus. He said there is no test for it. I then went to a skin doctor then a urologist. They told me the same.
They said the only way to know if I carry it is if I have an outbreak and they can test it.
I asked about disclosure. The doctors actually had a phone call to try to figure out what to tell me. They didn't know. They all felt that it is impossible to know if I carry the virus.
In Canada, the medical field tells patients that show anti bodies but have not had an outbreak that they do not need to disclose.
I have thought about this and will definitely disclose. But would love your input.
P