Transmission of Genital Herpes
HSV-1 can be transmitted through kissing (oral to oral) or oral sex (oral to genital, including vaginal, penile and anal). It is spread by direct contact with infected saliva, skin surface, or herpes sores/lesions around the lips or within the mouth. Transmission is possible even if the infected person shows no obvious symptoms, but the risk is highest during active outbreak when herpes lesions are present.
HSV-2 is transmitted sexually, by contact with the genital, anal area, sores or fluids from an infected individual. Transmission is possible even if the infected person shows no obvious symptoms, but the risk is highest during active outbreak when symptoms are present.
Viral Shedding of Genital Herpes
Genital HSV was detected at least once (83.4%) with symptomatic HSV-2 infection and (68.2%) persons with asymptomatic HSV-2 infection.
No genital lesions were reported on 25 664 days of follow-up (89.3% vs the model-predicted per-person rate of 87.9%; 95% CI, 86.3%-89.3%), and HSV was detected on 3142 (12.2%; 95% CI, 10.8%-13.5%) of those days. Subclinical genital shedding rates were higher in persons with symptomatic infection(13.1%) compared with asymptomatic infection(8.8%).
Therefore, it can be confirmed the recognition of clinical genital herpes among asymptomatic persons with HSV-2 infection.
Prevention of Genital Herpes
Transmission of genital herpes can be reduced by using condoms correctly and consistently during sexual activities, because herpes sores can appear in areas not covered by condoms. Patients with active HSV-1 infection should avoid oral contact and not to perform oral sex on others.
