Possibility of having herpes but never having a outbreak

Dear Ask The Doctor: My boyfriend's ex girl friend who he hasn't been sexually active with for almost a year told him a 2 weeks ago that she had a flare up and went to the hospital. The doctor told her she has herpes but she doesn't know how long she's had it and didn't ask. He and i have been having unprotected sex for seven months and never had a problem. I got checked and I tested negative for herpes. He was with her for six years and never had an outbreak. Could it be possible that he has herpes even though he hasn't had a break out? He's 42 years old, his ex is 53 years old and I'm 21 years old. Or could it be that she got it from someone else?

Dear Carleena: The answer to your question is YES.

Herpes can present even many years after exposure and there is possibility that your boyfriend may have the virus even though he has never had a breakout. ,

The blood test done for herpes is not very accurate and if your boyfriend had unprotected sex for six years with his previus partner, there is a good chance he had the virus.

The best advice I can provide is that you should consider only protected sex from now on and if you choose to have unprotected sex, be aware of the risks of developing herpes and get tested regularly.

There is no medication that can be taken that would prevent the transmission of the virus.