Asymptomatic virus shedding after herpes genitalis.

Samples of cervical and vaginal secretions obtained daily from five women were studied for the presence of active virus and/or viral antigens. In women with a history of recurrent genital herpes, either infectious virus or viral antigen in exfoliated cells was repeatedly detected in the absence of overt clinical symptoms. The epidemiologic and obstetric importance of the observations is discussed.