>If one feels they have been exposed to herpes, how long must you wait
>before getting a blood test. How long does it take for the antibodies
>to show, typically.
With most tests it is recommended that you wait twelve to sixteen
weeks for the antibodies to build.
>Additionally what is the rate of female to male transmission during
>unprotected sex when legions are not present? close to 100% i would
>imagine if during viral shedding, outside of viral shedding.. 50%?
Avoiding times of active outbreaks, female to male, about 6%. Male
to female, closer to 16%.
Here's the old links and blurbs I haven't posted for a while... I
can't guarantee the links still work, but the info is good.
http://members.aol.com/herpesite/trans.html#risk
Risk of Transmission
In studies of transmission of genital Herpes in couples, the annual
risk of transmission averaged 5 to 10% per year for those abstaining
from sex during outbreaks. The risk of acquisition was much higher
(16.9%) for women, but somewhat lower for those who already had
HSV-1. There is some evidence that people who have HSV-1 are more
resistant to the HSV-2. This should not be interpreted as immunity
but rather as a higher resistance factor. The transmission rate was
also lower for those who used condoms.
http://www.obgyn.net/english/pubs/features/tfp/solomon_smith.htm
The risk of acquiring HSV-2 among sexual partners was prospectively
analyzed in a study by Bryson et al.(8) After 16 months of
observation, 14% of initially HSV-2 sero- negative partners
seroconverted. All seroconverters were women, suggesting that women
are at greater risk for acquiring HSV than are men. None of the
couples in which seroconversion occurred used condoms or spermicides
during asymptomatic periods. There was an annual 10% acquisition
rate of HSV-2 among couples.(8)
http://www.viridae.com/gen4.htm?
In a study performed at the Universities of Washington and New
Mexico, heterosexual monogamous patients with genital herpes and
their susceptible partners were counselled on avoiding transmission
through limiting sexual contact to asymptomatic periods. This study
was on selected partners where one partner was known to have type 2
herpes and the other was known to be susceptible by means of a
type-specific blood test (Western blot). Transmission took place in
14 of 144 susceptible partners (9.7%). In most cases, transmission
apparently took place when the infected partner was asymptomatic. In
some cases, transmission took place during the prodrome or
pre-symptomatic period. Where the gender of the susceptible partner
was male (the woman had herpes), transmission took place, despite
avoiding active phases of infection, with an annual rate of 4.5%.
Where the gender of the susceptible partner was female (the man had
herpes), transmission took place, despite avoiding active phases of
infection, with an annual rate of 18.9%. This study also confirmed
that people with pre-existing immunity to type 1 herpes (eg, by
being exposed to cold sores earlier in life) were partially (but not
completely) resistant to subsequent type 2 genital herpes. It is
clearly wise to consider the possibility that asymptomatic shedding
might occur when making personal choices about preventing herpes
transmission. In case asymptomatic shedding does occur, properly
used condoms (safer sex procedures) are the best protection against
transmission and will minimize the low everyday risk that
asymptomatic shedding might lead to asymptomatic transmission. Using
sensitive and strict criteria for identifying people acquiring
herpes, this study showed that avoiding sexual contact during the
active phases of infection provides protection for more than 95% of
susceptible men per year and more than 81% of susceptible women per
year. It clearly showed, however, that simple avoidance of active
phases, alone, was not sufficient to prevent transmission. To
further minimize the risk of transmission to a susceptible partner,
safer sex precautions during asymptomatic periods should be used.
>And finally if there is no direct genital contact without a latex
>condom but it is during a time of viral shedding (in a female) what are
>the transmission rates?
A condom is pretty good protection, but there are a lot of variables
there and no way to really hazard a guess.
>Thanks for the info
>-h
Take care,
Mike
h00ligan - 19 Oct 2004 04:30 GMT
>> If one feels they have been exposed to herpes, how long must you wait
>> before getting a blood test. How long does it take for the antibodies
[quoted text clipped - 80 lines]
>
> Mike
Thanks mike for the detailed response.. very helpful. Good luck with
everything to everyone.. i'll relay the info and perhaps come back with
more ?'s :)