From: anonymous@cerf.net
Subject: Question on Genital Herpes
Posted-By: xx101 (Doctors Office Moderator)
Organization: Organization For Community Networks
Date: Tue, 11 Jun 1996 12:05:37 GMT
Newsgroups: ofcn.clinic.doctor.qa

Regarding asymptomatic shedding:
What is the probability of transmission during periods of no outbreak of lesions by non-sexual contact (e.g. saliva, tears, etc)? Are there any resources that you can sugeest for further study?

Reply +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I looked this up on a CD-ROM of abstracts from clinical medical journals called Stat!Ref and found only the following on SEXUAL transmission during asymptomatic periods.

One hundred forty-four heterosexual couples were studied. Each source partner had symptomatic, recurrent genital HSV, and each susceptible partner was without serologic or clinical evidence of genital herpes. Transmission occurred in 14 (9.7%) couples. Detailed histories were available at the time of transmission in 13 couples. In nine couples, transmission occurred when the source partner was reported to be asymptomatic.

Risk factors for the sexual transmission of genital herpes, Ann Intern Med 116:197-202, 1992

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P. H. MD Family Physician Correspondent for General Medical Clinic Organization For Community Networks

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