We know that when people have HSV 2 outbreaks on the buttocks, they also shed from the vagina.  The virus gets active on a set of nerves that supplies both of these areas so viral shedding can happen from the vagina as well as showing up as lesions on the buttocks.  Because of asymptomatic shedding, it just isn't possible for you to know for sure when you are giving off virus from the vagina and when you are not.  I know this isn't the response that you were hoping for, but best to know the real facts so you can better protect sex partners.

Terri

I feel like no matter how much we educate ourselves and others the stigma is never going away. 

 I would agree that the stigma is present, but I think for people who have herpes, can work on changing the way that they personally feel about this. There is an interesting website called herpes opportunity and at that website, the person who runs it talks about stigma and disclosure, and I think he has some very interesting and helpful ideas about that.

There is more work going on about vaccines now after quite a long break of nothing new. I'm feeling optimistic again about the future as we are looking at this problem from a slightly different point of view than we used to. There is also really good work going at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Institute on gene editing for herpes. You should check it out. And feel free to come back and ask more questions as they come to you. We will always be here.

Terri

You're most welcome

Terri