Transmissão de Herpes a Partir de Portadores Assintomáticos: Risco e Redução

HSV-1/HSV-2 shed asymptomatically on 10–20% of days (higher in first year post-infection).

Transmission Risk

• Symptomatic: High (vesicles/ulcers = high viral titer).
• Asymptomatic shedding: Lower per-act risk but more frequent exposure opportunities.
• Annual transmission probability: ~4–10% (female→male), ~10–20% (male→female) without protection.

Risk Reduction

• Daily suppressive antiviral (valacyclovir 500 mg daily): ↓ shedding by 70–80%, ↓ transmission by ~50%.
• Condoms: ↓ transmission 30–50% (not 100% — skin not covered).
• Abstinence during prodrome/outbreak.
• Partner disclosure enables informed choice.

Diagnosis

Type-specific serology (IgG) confirms infection status; PCR from lesions confirms active shedding.

Key Message

Asymptomatic transmission is real but manageable. Suppressive therapy + condoms + communication = lowest risk.