You can have herpes and pass it
on without knowing it.
Genital herpes is very common and under-diagnosed. A visual
examination is simply not adequate. Mistakes can be made when "just looking" because
some things look like herpes that are not--and herpes can look
like other things. About 90% of people with genital herpes don’t
know they have it and can infect their partner, who may not know
they have become infected. Getting properly diagnosed is extremely
important.
Screening for sexually transmitted diseases does not routinely
include herpes simplex virus (HSV) testing, so sexually active
adults need to specifically request HSV testing from their healthcare
provider. It is even more important now that studies have proven
the link to HIV. Genital HSV type-2 infections double the risk
of acquiring HIV, the virus responsible for AIDS.
Talk to your healthcare provider about the latest laboratory tests
used to diagnose and type herpes simplex virus, in the presence
or absence of symptoms.
There are two types of herpes virus, HSV type-1 and HSV type-2.
An accurate diagnosis involves either a positive culture that has
been typed (1 or 2), or a blood test that accurately distinguishes
between types 1 and 2. Cultures frequently give false negative
results in patients with recurrent infection or with lesions that
have begun to heal. Therefore, type-specific blood tests are often
necessary for confirming the diagnosis and treatment decisions
of genital herpes. Knowing which type of herpes you have will enable
your healthcare provider to suggest what treatment options might
be best for you.
Herpes is a manageable disease.
A positive diagnosis of genital herpes is understandably difficult
for several reasons: social stigma, fear of getting pregnant and
infecting the unborn child, not knowing who caused the infection
or how it occurred, not knowing when transmission of the infection
is possible, knowing it increases the risk of HIV, and knowing
that this is a life long disease.
However, with an accurate diagnosis and the appropriate treatment,
men and women with herpes can lead normal lives.
- Herpes is not life threatening
- Herpes is not linked to cervical
cancer
- People with herpes can have rewarding sex lives
- Couples with
herpes can have healthy babies
As nearly a fourth of the US adult population has genital herpes,
newly diagnosed men and women need not feel alone with their disease.
In addition to the counseling available through many healthcare
providers, support groups and comprehensive online resources can
help individuals effectively deal with the physical and emotional
issues associated with this disease.
> Click here for information on Links and Support Organizations
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