Transmission Question

[augustsb]

Q1.  From a statistical standpoint, what are the chances of a male acquiring hsv2 from a single encounter of genital apposition (no condom) and intercourse (a condom was used) with a female partner whose hsv2 status is unknown?  

Q2.  With an active infection?

Q3.  Would the duration of intercourse affect the possibility transmission?

Q4.  Due to skin thickness, is it more difficult for transmission at the base of the penis as oppossed to the shaft and head where skin is thinner?  

Q5. Can transmission occur through the scrotum?

I

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The chance you got gentital herpes from a single encounter like you describe is virtually zero.

HHH, MD

[augustsb]

Sorry about not providing a clearer context - just wanted to keep my questions brief.  I had unprotected genital apposition, unprotected oral performed on me, and protected intercourse with a partner (26 yrs old) who has a bit of a promiscuous past.  I

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

It would be helpful to know something about the context of your questions.  But without that, my thoughts are:

1) Unknown; no data available.  Clearly very low.

2) Also unknown, but obviously higher than in the first scenario.

3) Probably, if the partner had an active HSV-2 infection.  If no active infection, obviously irrelevant.

4) Maybe.  Herpes is less commonly seen at the base of the penis than on the shaft and head, and this is one possible explanation.

5) Probably yes, but apparently uncommon.  Scrotal lesions are not common in men with initial genital herpes.

None of these answers is related to race/ethnicity.  In the US, HSV-2 is more common in African Americans than in whites or persons of Asian/Pacific origin, but that has nothing to do with the factors mentioned in your questions.

HHH, MD