Genital Herpes is something you may not discuss with your friends, however, it is a viral infection that is spreading very fast, with about one million new cases per year. In the US it is estimated that fifty million people are infected with genital herpes, making it a lot more common than most know it to be.
Receiving the diagnosis of genital herpes can be emotionally challenging with emotions of shame and isolation. And how does one date when having herpes?
Rest assured, that even though Herpes is a life long infection, you are far from alone.
In the United States about 20% of the adult population are infected with genital herpes. Somewhere around 50 million Americans. Breaking the statistics down, the rate for women is about one in four, and for men it is one in five.
Herpes is more common than all other viral sexually transmitted diseases combined. Possibly one reason herpes is spreading so quickly is that about 80% of those infected are completely unaware of having herpes. So, 80% of those 50 million Americans are unknowingly putting their partners at risk of contracting herpes.
It is a misconception that the disease is only infectious during an outbreak. While it is more contagious when blisters are present, the disease can be transmitted even when there are no symptoms at all.
Not everyone infected with the virus will have outbreaks after the initial episode. For those infected with the Herpes Simplex type 2 (HSV-2) virus approximately 80% will have at least one additional reoccurrence, and those infected with Herpes Simplex type-1 have only a 50% rate of reoccurrence. The average number of outbreaks is around 4-5 per year.
While getting the diagnosis of genital herpes can be distressing, it is important to get a proper diagnosis which involve the proper blood tests by a medical practitioner.
Receiving the diagnosis of genital herpes can be emotionally challenging with emotions of shame and isolation. And how does one date when having herpes?
Rest assured, that even though Herpes is a life long infection, you are far from alone.
In the United States about 20% of the adult population are infected with genital herpes. Somewhere around 50 million Americans. Breaking the statistics down, the rate for women is about one in four, and for men it is one in five.
Herpes is more common than all other viral sexually transmitted diseases combined. Possibly one reason herpes is spreading so quickly is that about 80% of those infected are completely unaware of having herpes. So, 80% of those 50 million Americans are unknowingly putting their partners at risk of contracting herpes.
It is a misconception that the disease is only infectious during an outbreak. While it is more contagious when blisters are present, the disease can be transmitted even when there are no symptoms at all.
Not everyone infected with the virus will have outbreaks after the initial episode. For those infected with the Herpes Simplex type 2 (HSV-2) virus approximately 80% will have at least one additional reoccurrence, and those infected with Herpes Simplex type-1 have only a 50% rate of reoccurrence. The average number of outbreaks is around 4-5 per year.
While getting the diagnosis of genital herpes can be distressing, it is important to get a proper diagnosis which involve the proper blood tests by a medical practitioner.
About the Author:
What Does Herpes Look Like in addition to Female Symptoms Herpes are some frequent queries about herpes. Find more information about Herpes by clicking the links.
No comments:
Post a Comment