Sexual Health Buzz

> One can be infectious during these virus shedding days and
> transmission does not require actual intercourse.

Now you’re making it seem as though somebody can contract herpes via a hand shake. Isn’t it true that most oral herpes and genital herpes cases have come from some sort of vaginal, anal, oral sex and kissing depending on the person and the situation surrounding the transmission? Typically a person contracts herpes via some form of sex and/or kissing when the virus is actually active and present on the surface of the skin and the receiving party has an opening or pathway for the virus to enter their body. (And I’m not talking about herpetic herpes OR herpes gladiatorum either)

> Nor does a condom
> provide a barrier to sites of infection elsewhere in the genital
> regions.

Uh, most people do know that a condom doesn’t cover the entire genital area which is why it’s still possible for people to contract herpes even if there is no condom present.

Most people that have genital herpes have outbreaks and asymptomatic shedding take place below the belt line in the boxer shorts area so I’m not sure why you would attempt to make it seem as though herpes is going to somehow spread to other parts of the body.

Most people that have oral herpes have outbreaks and asymptomatic shedding in the oral facial area and usually around the mouth.

> The overall risk of transmission of HSV-2 in a steady relationship
> between a person with periodic outbreaks and an antibody negative
> partner is only from 3-10% over a year period. The evidence of
> transmission is conversion of the partner from being antibody
> negative to antibody positive. The lower % applies when extra
> precautions are taken such as when an outbreak is expected to, or has
> occurred.

We can’t all know when we are shedding.

> In an 8 month study, taking daily Valtrex only reduced transmission
> from 3.2% to 1.6%.

Proof please.. do you have a link? Do you have a journal study that I can look up that you have obviously referenced OR is this just something that you pieced together yourself?

> Some of the promotional materials provided by pharmaceutical industry
> suggest that individuals may have a responsibility to be tested for
> HSV-2 antibodies.

I don’t particularly care for how you worded this. You make it seem as if pharmaceutical companies put out materials that are strictly “promotional” as if nothing they produce is in the least bit educational. Could it be that you don’t care for the pharmaceutical industry or the people that the drug companies are actually helping to put out of their misery?

The fact is.. it doesn’t matter what you or any drug company says. People should be tested for STDs and they should know what they are being tested for and what their status is.

> If positive, it is argued that they should consider
> daily Valtrex.

Why does it have to be an argument. Everybody knows that suppressive therapy reduces transmission and asymptomatic shedding. So why wouldn’t somebody want to do whatever it took to protect their uninfected partner and prevent transmission if they could? Why is that so wrong?

> It can be quite stressful to be told solely on the
> basis of an antibody test that one has genital herpes. This stress
> can actually lead to a clinical outbreak. Indeed stress is probably
> the leading factor in precipitating a recurrence.

Was there another way that you wanted people to be able to find out there status besides having a culture of a sore done? Why does type specific herpes antibody testing have to be stressful in your view? It’s not stressful. Common sense tells me that if you have an outbreak that can be cultured then you get in within the first 24 – 48 hours to have that done. If you don’t have an outbreak that can be cultured then you have a type specific herpes antibody test done to find out if you have HSV-1, HSV-2, both OR nothing at all. What’s so stressful about that? What’s so stressful about knowing your status OR wanting to know if you have herpes or not?

> The same issues apply to HSV-1 infection except that the
> seropositivity rate approaches 90%. For most individuals the periodic
> shedding of virus in saliva occurs in the absence of any fever
> blister.
>
> I hope this information is useful. Research studies are indicating
> that HSV infections can be eliminated from the body. I would be
> pleased to elaborate on this topic at some other time. Kind regards,
> W. John Martin, MD, PhD. Institute of Progressive Medicine, Los
> Angeles CA.

You say that HSV infections can be eliminated from the body as if somebody could actually destroy the virus from the system forever!? I am paying attention to what you are writing and HOW you are writing it and believe me I am not impressed. In fact, I’m a bit disappointed in your response to this topic. Especially since you are supposed to be highly educated in this area.

Sometimes I wonder where people come up with this stuff. Do you think I’m out of line? Leave a comment as to why OR why not AND if you’d like to chime in on the actual discussing going on right now.. you can find it over on the Oklahoma H Club.