Genital Herpes transmission percentage after 30 years for females?

[Ghostwriter]

What is the transmission rate of a female that has had genital herpes for thirty years without using a condom? Does it decrease over time? 

[Flowerteacher55]

Hi!! 

Great question. 

In general, for any given person who has a vagina, the average is rate of transmission of HSV-2 without the use of condoms or suppressive medication is 4% per year. This is the rate of transmission to a man (so the transmission rate of you passing it to a man). Of course, this number increases if the man has an autoimmune disease or weakened immune system due to illness or a medication that lowers their immune system. 

It is possible for the risk of transmission to decrease over time, since viral shedding loads may decrease over time. There are studies that track subjects and measure the viral load over time. However, all people are different. 

I'd say it's best to play it safe and always assume the 4% risk regardless of time that has passed. Also, the 4% decreases by 1/2 with the use of condoms or suppressive medication. When using both, the risk drops to about 1%

I hope this helps!! 

Blessings to you 🌻☀️🍀 !!!

grace