title: Herpes. Transmission and viral shedding.
abstract: Herpes simplex virus infections are transmitted through contact with infected oral or genital secretions. The virus can be present on mucosa during a symptomatic recurrence or asymptomatically. Most transmissions to neonates and sexual partners occur during asymptomatic viral shedding. The frequency of viral isolation in the absence of lesions ranges from 2% to 6% of days; however, studies using more sensitive tests, such as polymerase chain reaction, show that viral shedding can occur on the average 28% of days.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, Virology Research Clinic, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wald
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000635:transmission* / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012747:Sexual Partners; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D017201:Virus Shedding / Q000502:physiology*