Re: Prevention of Spreading query

Asymptomatic shedding is not something that goes on all, or even a majority, of the time. In fact an infected person may only shed the virus in sufficient quantity to transmit the virus a few days out of the year.

A recent study, not yet published, using very sensitive PCR methods for daily monitoring via swabs of the entire ano-genital area, showed that viral DNA could be detected less than 20% of days in people who had been infected for several years. The detection of herpes DNA does not mean that the quantity of live viral particles is sufficient to transmit the virus. The PCR method will also detect "dead" or inactive viral particles as well as "live ones".

Some folks seem to want to make the virus sound like infected people are a walking biohazard zone. It's just not the case. The herpes virus is very vulnerable once it's outside the shelter of the body. If it drys, it dies. Plain old soap and water kills it instantly since the capsid shell that contains the viral DNA is a lipid meaning it's a fat or oil compound. Detergents, like plain soap, dissolve the shell destroying the virus. Tweet