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Frequently
Asked Questions about Herpes (True & False)
Genital herpes is a hidden epidemic
that's being spread even without symptoms.
Do doctors and patients know the
simple truth about genital herpes? From what I have read on the internet and
especially the STD Message Board that I've put together, not too many people
understand how herpes is being spread.
To date, health care professionals
continue to attempt to diagnose herpes by site OR symptoms are mistaken for
other things such as yeast infection, jock itch, etc. Below is a list of Truths
and Myths about Genital Herpes that I think will take you by surprise.
This is a
handy dandy little fact sheet that I actually keep on my desk in my home office.
MYTH: The spread of genital herpes is
largely under control these days.
TRUTH: Genital herpes is spreading at
epidemic proportions, with up to 1 million new patients becoming infected every
year. Nationwide, one of every five adults is currently infected.
Yoshi2me: Many
people assume that because they have had routine STD testing that somehow this
includes testing for genital herpes. This is NOT the case. In fact, genital
herpes is NOT part of routine STD testing at all. If you want to be tested
specifically for herpes you have to ask. Many clinics and doctors offices will
only test for certain illnesses. You need to ask specifically what you are being
tested for so that you will know for sure. Be sure and check my
herpes testing page for accurate herpes tests. If you don't get
outbreaks or symptoms that you can see OR feel you can still get proper herpes
testing done. Contrary to what some healthcare professionals will tell you - you
do NOT need a lesion in order to find out if you have herpes. Ask for a type
specific herpes antibody test by name!
MYTH: Genital herpes is spread by patients
only during active outbreaks
TRUTH: Although genital herpes is most
contagious during active outbreaks, Mertz et al showed that up to 70% of
transmission may result from sexual contact during periods of asymptomatic viral
shedding.
Yoshi2me: You
wouldn't believe how many people have been told simply to avoid sex during
active outbreaks. And then people wonder why herpes is so common these days.
MYTH: Asymptomatic viral shedding occurs
only in a small percentage of patients with genital herpes and occurs right
before or after an outbreak.
TRUTH: A majority of patients with genital
herpes experience asymptomatic viral shedding which often occurs independent of
outbreaks.
Yoshi2me: People are always writing to me and asking what asymptomatic shedding is. Well,
when the virus becomes active on the surface of the skin and you can't see OR
feel it . . . THAT is asymptomatic shedding. Not everybody gets outbreaks that
they can see or feel which is exactly why healthcare providers should NOT be
telling their patients to only avoid sex during outbreaks.
MYTH: Asymptomatic viral shedding occurs
only in patients who report a history of genital herpes.
TRUTH: Patients who are seropositive with
no reported history of genital herpes shed virus asymptomatically at a rate
similar to patients with a reported history of outbreaks (3.0% vs 2.7%,
respectively).
Yoshi2me: What
that means is that even though I have had genital herpes for about 11 years now
and my outbreaks are not that often - that doesn't mean that I am not shedding
asymptomatically. Make sense?
MYTH: Most people with genital herpes know
they are infected with the disease.
TRUTH: Up to 90% of those infected are
unaware they have the virus that causes genital herpes.
Yoshi2me: and
since herpes is NOT included in the routine STD testing process it's even more
important to have that talk BEFORE you have sex. Don't be afraid to make a date
to go and get tested together so you will both know what you are dealing with.
The references that I used to keep this fact
sheet accurate were provided by Glaxo with permission via one of their
representatives. The information on this page should only be used for
information, educational, and personal use. The information displayed should not
ever take the place of what your medical professional can tell you.
Copyright 2003-2011 Yoshi2me .
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