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When Does HSV-2 Viral Shedding Occur?
I understand that asymptomatic viral shedding is one of the primary means by which genital herpes caused by HSV-2 is transmitted. I also know that asymptomatic viral shedding occurs about 10% of the time in people who show no symptoms, and more of the time in people who do experience symptoms. My question has to do with when this asymptomatic shedding occurs. In particular:
- Does it occur more often or more intensely upon acquisition of the virus? (i.e. during a non-primary initial episode)
- In women, does it occur more often during their periods?
- Do days of shedding exhibit regular patterns, or are they completely random?
It would be helpful to know of any studies or data related to these questions. Thank you for your help!
- Does it occur more often or more intensely upon acquisition of the virus? (i.e. during a non-primary initial episode)
- In women, does it occur more often during their periods?
- Do days of shedding exhibit regular patterns, or are they completely random?
It would be helpful to know of any studies or data related to these questions. Thank you for your help!
Infection can occur if a shedding burst is of sufficient quantity and sexual intercourse takes place at the time and the virus makes it through the skin to nerve endings.
My point is that for infections like yours appears to be, if your partner is unaware of genital herpes will they truly appreciate when they are symptomless?
Your partner will test positive for HSV2 based on the situation you describe. The fact that it took three years for transmission to occur is an indication of the low chance of transmission per sexual episode.
My point is that for infections like yours appears to be, if your partner is unaware of genital herpes will they truly appreciate when they are symptomless?
Your partner will test positive for HSV2 based on the situation you describe. The fact that it took three years for transmission to occur is an indication of the low chance of transmission per sexual episode.
But then how is it possible to spread the infection if there are no symptoms of an outbreak?
My dr seems to think that I acquired hsv 2 from my boyfriend but he doesn't have and has never had any symptoms of an outbreak.
While this is good news if his test comes back negative, then I will feel more at ease over not transmitting the virus to him. But it doesn't explain how he would have passed to me if he was shedding but did produce a significant amount to transmit the virus.
Any info would be greatly appreciated. Am very confused on how I possibly could have contracted this.
My dr seems to think that I acquired hsv 2 from my boyfriend but he doesn't have and has never had any symptoms of an outbreak.
While this is good news if his test comes back negative, then I will feel more at ease over not transmitting the virus to him. But it doesn't explain how he would have passed to me if he was shedding but did produce a significant amount to transmit the virus.
Any info would be greatly appreciated. Am very confused on how I possibly could have contracted this.
I should add that shedding does not equate to transmission. Everything additional we learn about shedding is unlikely to change transmission rates that have been observed in studies. This is because whatever shedding means in terms of frequency and volume is already inherent in these studies. Most shedding episodes do not produce sufficient virus to cause infection.
I don't believe that there are exact answers to your questions. Research tends to through up new perspectives each time.
Personal view, but I am not convinced that asymptomatic shedding causes the majority of HSV2 infections just yet. With 80% of people not knowing they have the virus and probably not appreciating symptoms, more research would be needed to understand this. No doubt that it does occur though.
It is now known that the virus seems to burst onto the surface of the skin and remains there for a matter of hours at a time. Previous studies probably include one swab a day to detect asymptomatic shedding. There are more days hence on which shedding occurs, but for shorter periods than previously believed.
Recent infections result in higher shedding levels for 6-12 months whilst the immune system builds to an optimal level and breadth including skin response.
I am not sure whether shedding can be linked to a woman's cycle, for some it seems quite likely.
I believe the bursts are fairly random although there I believe the studies suggest some clumping occurs for some individuals.
Look for papers including Anna Wald as an author who participates in numerous herpes studies on the subject of shedding.
Personal view, but I am not convinced that asymptomatic shedding causes the majority of HSV2 infections just yet. With 80% of people not knowing they have the virus and probably not appreciating symptoms, more research would be needed to understand this. No doubt that it does occur though.
It is now known that the virus seems to burst onto the surface of the skin and remains there for a matter of hours at a time. Previous studies probably include one swab a day to detect asymptomatic shedding. There are more days hence on which shedding occurs, but for shorter periods than previously believed.
Recent infections result in higher shedding levels for 6-12 months whilst the immune system builds to an optimal level and breadth including skin response.
I am not sure whether shedding can be linked to a woman's cycle, for some it seems quite likely.
I believe the bursts are fairly random although there I believe the studies suggest some clumping occurs for some individuals.
Look for papers including Anna Wald as an author who participates in numerous herpes studies on the subject of shedding.
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
