Herpes Viral Shedding - where does it happen?

[ra1956]

In looking at all the reading on this lovely disease and have a question.

 

With herpes viral shedding - is the infection only spread from the location of the original point of infection (where the herpes outbreaks occur)?

[mr_hopp]

Hi ra!

 

Yes, it's safe to assume that herpes viral shedding happens right around the general spot where you have your outbreaks. That's because how the virus comes to the surface of your skin from the base of your spine is through your nerves. Once there is a pathway that has been paved for the virus after a few outbreaks, the virus tends to take that path (but not always) whether it's for viral shedding purposes or full-fledged herpes outbreaks. In other words, you don't have to assume that now viral shedding is glowing from every skin cell that comes off your body. :)

 

Does that help?

 

More information in this blog article:

http://herpeslife.com/what-is-herpes-asymptomatic-viral-shedding/

[ra1956]

Adrial,

 

Yes it does.

 

Would you say that an asymptomatic male with a single OB on the penis (side of) would be almost 100% safe to not to pass hsv2 to your partner if a condom is used?

 

Thanks Ra

[mr_hopp]

Hey again, Ra! I'm glad you're asking. Unfortunately, nothing is 100% safe. But we can get damn close! ;) With condoms and suppressive therapy, the possibility of a woman getting herpes gets down to 2.5% and the possibility of a man getting herpes gets down to 1%.

 

Have you read the handouts?

http://bit.ly/h-opp-diagnosis-handout

http://bit.ly/h-opp-disclosure-handout

 

Condoms on average do cut down on passing herpes (statistically speaking) by around 50%. And yes, the more the condom covers up the site of your outbreak, the more safe it should be. Taking daily suppressive therapy cuts it down by another 50%, so look into that, too. All in all, when you and your herpes-negative partner work together to keep them safe, there's quite a low risk of passing herpes.

[WCSDancer2010]

Also the F2C Female condom is said to not only cover even more of the areas of possible transmission, it doesn't strangle your John Thomas AND supposedly it ... er.. rubs a woman the right way... ;)