The Truth About Herpes Shedding: Facts and Insights
Have you ever found yourself asking what “shedding” herpes really means?
Viral shedding refers to the process by which a virus reproduces and the carrier (person) releases the virus. This can occur with or without symptoms.
When someone with herpes is shedding, it means the virus is shedding from the skin and can potentially transmit to partners.
People living with herpes can go through periods of “shedding” the virus without presenting symptoms (i.e. outbreaks).
The idea of someone living with herpes without symptoms may be difficult for some to believe given the worst-case scenario images and stories in sex ed and the media.
According to the CDC (2021), genital HSV-2 shedding rates are estimated around the following percentages:
• Asymptomatic: 10.2% of days
• Symptomatic: 20.1% of days
It is so important to share your herpes status with partners because of the potential for asymptomatic transmission. There is currently no publicly accessible way to detect if/when you are “shedding” the virus without symptoms.