Behavioural Changes During Genital Herpes Outbreaks

(17 April 2003)

In another arm of the risk factors study detailed in this newsdesk, the sexual behaviour of people with herpes during both symptomatic and asymptomatic periods was analysed and compared.

A person infected with HSV-2 sheds the virus during periods with or without symptoms. When no symptoms or unrecognised symptoms are present this is known as asymptomatic viral shedding. Many people with genital herpes adapt their sexual behaviour by abstaining from sexual contact, for example, when they experience an episode of herpes accompanied by symptoms, for example, but whether they adapt their behaviour at other times is not fully understood.

A study was set up to examine demographic and behavioural factors of men and women with genital herpes who were in monogamous, heterosexual partnerships. Over 1,000 couples took part in the international study.

The researchers found that during symptomatic periods, both men and women reported substantially less vaginal, oral and anal sex. There was a significant decrease in vaginal sex during symptomatic episodes compared to when no symptoms were present (44% versus 99%). The men studied reported higher levels of consistent condom use during symptomatic periods with 42% using condoms during vaginal sex compared to 19% who reported consistent condom use during asymptomatic periods.

However, the researchers concluded that, there was a need for further education on genital herpes transmission, given that with the majority of people still do not report consistent condom use when engaging in vaginal sex during genital herpes symptoms.

For more information on the precautions you can take to reduce the transmission of genital herpes, review the IHA leaflet: Genital Herpes: What It Means For Partners in the Resources section of this website.

Ref: Rana RK et al. Lower Levels of Sexual Contact and Higher Levels of Condom Use Reported During Periods of Symptomatic Genital Herpes. Abstract Presented at Eurogin, April 2003.