Acquisition of Genital Herpes from an Asymptomatic Sexual Partner

THE incidence of genital herpes simplex infection is increasing in the United States. 1 Although there have been substantial advances in the diagnosis and treatment of this infection, several important aspects of its epidemiology remain unclear, including the relative importance of asymptomatic virus shedding in transmission of the disease. 2 Asymptomatic genital shedding of herpes simplex virus type 2 is known to occur and accounts for many cases of virus transmission from mother to infant. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 This report documents horizontal transmission of infection associated with asymptomatic virus shedding. Case Reports In June 1980 Patient 1, a 23-year-old woman, transmitted genital herpes to Patient . . .