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Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2: People Are Infected And Don't Know It

By HERWriter
 
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention performed a study that shows disturbing results about the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). They found that up to one out of six Americans between the ages of 14 and 49 tested positive for HSV-2 and were unaware that they were infected with the herpes virus.

The age group 14 - 19 years had the lowest rate of infection of those that tested positive for HSV-2, at 1.4 percent. For the age group 40 - 49 years, the rate of infection was 26.1 percent.

Dr. Georges Benjamin advocates that doctors teach patients how to avoid becoming infected with the herpes virus. People need to understand what it means for them to test positive for HSV-2. And they need to be aware that they are at higher risk of HIV. He believes that doctors should be testing more of their patients for HSV-2.

"Daily medication can reduce sexual transmission of the virus by about 50%, according to Scott Bryan, a spokesman with the CDC's National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. People who use condoms consistently have a 30% decreased risk of acquiring HSV-2 compared with people who have unprotected sex, he said."

http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2010/05/17/prsf0518.htm

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EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease, affecting about 16% of U.S. adults. A lot of people, however, don't have outbreaks of painful blisters and don't know they have the infection. Others know they have herpes but believe they can't transmit it to a sexual partner unless they're experiencing symptoms.Living with herpes, find your support @ STDfish.com

April 21, 2011 - 6:38pm
EmpowHER Guest
Anonymous

What I don't get is this: if people don't know that they have it, and it doesn't damage them in any way, why do we care if they have it? If one quarter has it (without it being a problem for them) why would we care if three quarters of the poplulation has it (without it being ... )?

May 20, 2010 - 7:35am
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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.

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