Herpes viral shedding need info

[Elliotj]

What are the facts with viral shedding

[Guest]

If I may add to this question, can we also get some specifics on how effective the sheddings are at transmission? Are they all effective at what the do equally, or are genital HSV-2 sheddings more potent than genital HSV1 sheddings? Thank you.

[HerryTheHerp]

Viral shedding is not really well understood. That's the fact. It's extremely difficult to pin down a solid fact on it, but, for the most part:

 

You'll shed more your first year, and it gradually tapers off. When? How long? No one really knows, but they're pretty confident in stating that based on decreased outbreaks and other factors. I've seen estimates of anywhere from 5-30% of the time you'll be shedding...and 99% of that, you'll never know it. That said, if you're having prodomes and itchy feelings, it's a good bet the herpster is responsible and you're shedding.

 

You'll shed less if you're taking suppressive therapy. Right now, that's one of the big draws of a new drug they're testing called Pritelivir. Supposedly, it cuts the viral shedding dramatically.

 

As far as how effective shedding is at transmission, well the answer to that is very effective. In fact, the vast majority of people contract HSV1 and HSV2 from partners who are showing no symptoms, and may never have shown symptoms. Hence, viral shedding is the culprit.

 

 

[mr_hopp]

Hey Elliotj! :) To add/complement to what Herry's saying, here's a blog article on our main herpeslife informational blog on herpes viral shedding:

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