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Originally Posted by readstoomuch imsnowman, I think I can answer at least part of your question. I am HSV2 positive but have never had intercourse (or any other sexual contact) with anyone showing symptoms. So, technically, I received the disease from asymptomatic shedding. To my knowledge, there is no way to actually test for the virus itself because it is in small quantities anywhere but significant sores. Probably the easiest way to show asymptomatic shedding is real and exists is to track the transmission of the disease among people who don't show symptoms; my guess is that this is how the asymptomatic shedding is being investigated. |
I was told by a clinician at Planned Parenthood that they followed people with definite genital herpes for 1 year and swabbed the known lesion areas on a regular basis - maybe everyday- regardless of whether or not there was a visible outbreak. That's how they found asymptomatic shedding. For these people the shedding would start a few days before a visible outbreak. Now that's 2nd hand (or maybe 3rd or more) information.
Three weeks ago I had my first outbreak. No one has 'fessed up. When we spoke to the "prime suspect," he seemed stunned. He seemed to decide that it couldn't be him, which is understandable given that he's had no symptoms and when faced with the possibility of having herpes you (or at least we) try hard to hold onto anything that hints otherwise. At least we told him and hopefully he'll be more watchful for symptoms now and be more careful about correct condom useage than he was with us.