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The clinical factors that promote the spread of genital herpes are not well understood. To study the transmission of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in heterosexual couples, these researchers identified 144 couples in which one partner had known recurrent genital HSV (nearly always HSV type 2) and the other partner had no clinical or serologic evidence of genital HSV. All couples kept a diary to document sexual activity and presence of HSV lesions, and all were counseled to avoid skin-to-skin contact with active lesions. Median follow-up was almost 1 year.
Transmission of HSV occurred in 11 (17 percent) of the 65 couples in which the man was the source of HSV, and in three (4 percent) of the 79 couples in which the woman was the source. Of the 14…