Herpes Testing Blog

This article has the point of dispelling some common myths about genital herpes, and also of  spreading the news about prevention.

Herpes is a very common virus: the CDC estimates that as many as 45 million people ages 12 and older are infected with genital herpes.  This is about one in five adolescents and adults.  This means that it is very likely that you or someone you know have this virus.

Many people that have genital herpes may not know that they have it because they either have very mild symptoms or they mistake the symptoms – such as painful urination in women – for another condition such as a yeast infection.

Just by taking some simple precautions, including using a condom and taking anti-herpetic medicine, you can protect yourself and your partner from getting the virus. Another way, possibly the most effective way, to prevent herpes (or any other STD) transmission is for you and your partner to be tested and known to be uninfected.

What is genital herpes?

Genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which can invade the body through a crack in the skin or through the mucosa of the mouth or genital areas. Signs of a HSV-2 infection are usually one or more blisters on or around the rectum or genitals. When the blisters eventually break, they leave tender ulcers or sores. Those can take two to four weeks to heal after the first breakout. Typically future breakouts will be less severe and have a shorter healing time.

Viral activity tends to decrease with time. This means that as time progresses, somebody with herpes will have less frequent and less severe outbreaks.

Did you know?

Genital herpes can spread whether or not there are symptoms present or if there have never been signs or symptoms.
Herpes is likely to be spread 3-5 days before a breakout.
Having genital herpes can make you two to five times more susceptible to HIV infection.
Condoms do not fully protect you against HSV-2 because the virus can infect areas not covered by the condom.
Even if you are not having a herpes outbreak, you may still “shed” the virus.

How can you protect yourself and your partner?

Abstinence is the only 100 percent effective way to ensure against the spread of any STD including genital herpes. Herpes can also be spread without the presence of signs or symptoms. Condoms act as a physical barrier against the spread of the virus, but they are only effective at protecting the area that it covers, which is probably not the only part of you that is coming in contact with your partner when you are having sex.

There are also over-the-counter as well as prescription medicines that one can take to suppress the frequency and severity of the outbreaks.  In doing so, they also reduce the risk of transmitting the virus. If you are interested in this, the best thing to do would be to ask you doctor about your options

Because such a high number of people are unaware that they are infected with genital herpes, testing for herpes is the best way to determine your status. A long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected is one of the best ways to remain disease-free.

*For the original article, please refer to http://www.hivtestingblog.com/original-articles/

Finding out you have genital herpes can be a bummer.  But it doesn’t have to spell the end of your social life!  Dating and herpes don’t have to be mutually exclusive.  Many people are out there actively dating with genital or oral herpes.  Here are some ways for you to deal.

Make sure to tell your partner before things get hot ‘n steamy.  Sometime towards the end of the second date is usually a good time for these sorts of disclosures.  Don’t wait until you’re already rolling around under the covers!  It’s very important to understand that when you tell him you have herpes, you’re not confessing anything – you did nothing wrong.  You have herpes, what’s the big deal?  It’s a simple condition, that’s very easily kept under control.  80% of the US population already has some sort of herpes, and most of them don’t even know it!  Keep in mind that the likely situation here isn’t that you have herpes and he doesn’t – it’s more like you know about you’re condition, and he’s less informed.  Knowledge can be an advantage!

If your partner is freaking out because of some silly virus, it might be a good idea to have HIM tested.  Chances are, he’s positive for herpes, or possibly something even more serious.  Either way, he’ll be assured that you’re together in the same boat, and possibly better informed about his own health (and so will you!).  Remember, if you’re testing for herpes, he needs to get tested at least 16 weeks after his last sexual encounter (which might also be a second date disclosure).  If you find out that you both have herpes, then it’ll at least make a great bonding experience – you can go together to the pharmacy with your Valtrex prescriptions, or sit at your computer and buy generic Valtrex online!