Genital Herpes Virus Can Exist Without Symptoms

Based on information from a new study, even people who show no outward signs of the herpes virus can still spread it to their sexual partners. The herpes simplex virus type 2 can infect individuals without presenting visible symptoms. Then, 10% of the time, the virus can be detected on their genital tract. Those with visible symptoms of genital herpes can carry active forms of the virus on their genital tract 20% of the time. These findings are significant because, even though it has long been known that the herpes simplex virus type 2 can be contagious even without symptoms, researchers now have a better idea of the percent of time the virus is active and transmittable.

Dr. Christine Johnston, acting assistant professor of medicine at the University of Washington and researcher in this study, said, “These findings will help us counsel patients who are diagnosed with [herpes simplex virus type 2] infection about their risks of transmission to others, which is often a key concern for people diagnosed with genital herpes.” The herpes virus is an STD, which, when symptoms manifest themselves, can be recognized by blisters on the genitals and rectum.

Rates of viral shedding, which are the rates at which the herpes virus replicates and is contagious, were essential to conducting this study. It took place between 1992 and 1998 with 498 participates, each of which was diagnosed with genital herpes. Each participant was required to collect a swab of genital secretions daily for 30 days. Those with symptoms had an average of 17.9 episodes of viral shedding in one year as opposed to 12.5 episodes in sufferers of the herpes virus without symptoms. Of course, these results also conclude that, even without symptoms, the sneaky herpes virus can be contagious and passed on to sexual partners.

The transmission of genital herpes occurs when direct contact occurs with another person in the area of the body that is shedding the virus, Johnston said. Of course, in instances except for herpes simplex virus type 1, which manifests itself in the form of cold sores in and around the mouth, the herpes virus is passed by sexual contact. It is still not known “if there is a threshold quantity of virus above which people are contagious,” Johnson continued, but the assumption is that if patients are shedding the virus, they risk passing the virus onto their partner.

Not many people realize that 16% of people age 14 to 49 in the US have genital herpes. There is no cure for the virus, so the need for vigilant prevention is clear. Of course, it is also extremely important for herpes sufferers to expose their condition to sexual partners so appropriate actions can be taken. The herpes virus can be prevented from being passed on 50% of the time by using a condom or making use of suppressive antiviral therapy.