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HSV2
I have a question regarding HSV2. I have read various reports regarding asymptomatic viral shedding. I have read that this occurs anywhere from 4%-20% of the time. One study I read showed that 6 out of 7 people had asymptomatic viral shedding but 1 actually had none. My questions are the following:
1) Just as outbreaks become less frequent over time, does asymptomatic shedding become less frequent over time? Just as people become perpetually asymptomatic, is it possible, with time, to be perpetually free of asymptomatic viral shedding over time, thus becoming non-contagious?? I know the response is usually "It is still possible to pass the disease." But could it also be "possible at some point where you are not contagious?
1) Just as outbreaks become less frequent over time, does asymptomatic shedding become less frequent over time? Just as people become perpetually asymptomatic, is it possible, with time, to be perpetually free of asymptomatic viral shedding over time, thus becoming non-contagious?? I know the response is usually "It is still possible to pass the disease." But could it also be "possible at some point where you are not contagious?
no it does not reduce over time.
yes, asymptomatic viral shedding is just as contagious as the viral shedding from an actual lesion.
yes, asymptomatic viral shedding is just as contagious as the viral shedding from an actual lesion.
Thanks for you response. You mentioned a study of those who still had viral shedding after 10 years. Does viral shedding reduce over time? For example, after 10 years does one generally shed less than in their first or second year of infection? Also, is the viral shedding as contagious as a symptomatic outbreak? Thanks for your answers. I am new to this and this is helpful. But I am confused at the amount of studies and drastically different numbers and statistics.
actually we have a study done a few years ago that showed that shedding stayed steady even after 10 years of being infected. This particular study was based on daily pcr swabbing for 2 months.
everyone sheds the virus - when reading studies, you have to look at how often they are being swabbed as well as for how long. one recent study even looked at a very small amount of people but had them swab 4x/day for 2 months if I recall. That study showed that sometimes shedding is literally hours long.
grace
everyone sheds the virus - when reading studies, you have to look at how often they are being swabbed as well as for how long. one recent study even looked at a very small amount of people but had them swab 4x/day for 2 months if I recall. That study showed that sometimes shedding is literally hours long.
grace
I think what you are trying to get is a number of years post infection where asymptomatic shedding doesn't occur. The fact is there is no set timeline of how long a person has the virus before they turn around and don't viral shed. Each person is different. The average based on days for HSV-2 genital is 15-20% of days a year. Some people have had the virus for years and stil viral shed. There is just no way to know if you are shedding the virus and thus best practice would say you notify your partners of the possiblity of such happening. Though the risk is low.
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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.
