I want to ask about herpes.  In the past, it was believed that it could only get transmitted when an outbreak was in progress.  Now I hear that that's not necessary and that it can be transmitted at other times as well.  What times are those?

In other news, I've heard that the national rate of infection is anywhere from 1/10 to 1/4 (New York being the 1/4 area.)  They don't specify what variety of herpes, so I don't know if they're counting chicken pox or what.

If we're talking about "sore on or near genitalia", I'd have to conclude that virtually all providers and hobbyists could be infected if the rates are 1/10.  I know that providers are more likely to be aware and conscientious about such things, so that could be a mitigating factor, too.

Is there any other viewpoint or information out there that talks about infection rates in the hobby?  Do we have any  information to the contrary?  Were these statistics invented to further the cause of the religious right?

-signed
don't want to step in front of a train

You will NEVER see a provider admitting to having an STD, as it would sound the death knell for her business.

You will almost never see a hobbyist admit to having an STD, as he will rightly fear it would affect his ability to get an appointment.

Given that, it would be virtually impossible to get any meaningful numbers about the "infection rates in the hobby".  Each of us has to decide for ourselves how much risk we are willing to take, and be willing to face the consequences if we lose the lottery.  We can all only hope that the people we are seeing are responsible enough to get tested regularly and seek treatment (and go inactive) in case of a bad test.

Unfortunately, we know that many don't do either...

I have to admit, it's one of the likely outcomes I envisioned for that post to sit there like a turd in the punch bowl with no-one saying a word.  I sometimes have a knack for killing conversations.

I wasn't looking for a survey of who has and doesn't have herpes, I was seeking confirmation or denial of the statistics I've heard.  

I was also looking for some information on the "transmission without a sore" question.  Where does it lie in the likelihood spectrum?