Transmission
and Prevention
Herpes can be spread through skin-to-skin contact at any time the
virus is in its active phase: Viral shedding deposits HSV on the
skin or a mucous membrane. Contact with another individual's skin
allows virus to spread and begin the job of situating itself in
the nervous system of a new host.
How Many People Have Genital Herpes?
At least half of the population is infected with oral
herpes, an illness often passed during childhood. And
approximately one-quarter of Americans over the age of 15 are
infected with genital herpes -- an estimated 40 to 50 million.
These numbers may seem hard to believe. To put them
in proper perspective, remember: HSV is usually a very subtle
infection. In research studies, less than a third of those
infected could easily recognize herpes symptoms The remainder --
the vast majority -- could not. Most people simply don't know they
are carriers. ( In some cases, this is because they have failed to
identify some of the milder symptoms of herpes. In others, it's
because they apparently have suffered from no symptoms at all.)
How Can I Find Out If I Have Herpes?
If you have genital symptoms now, it's important to
see a medical professional as soon as possible to be examined and
tested.
If you've had genital symptoms in the past or believe
you were exposed to genital herpes and want to know whether you
now have it now, there are new blood tests available that detect
can herpes even without symptoms present.
How Did I Get Herpes?
Herpes can be so subtle that even the active phases
are sometimes hard to identify. As a result, herpes is often
spread during periods when people simply don't recognize the virus
has become active. In addition, a person can acquire herpes
without recognizing the "first episode."
For these reasons, it's often difficult to trace the
source of infection or know exactly when transmission occurred.
How Does Transmission Occur During
Symptomatic Recurrences?
If a person has a herpes sore on the lips, for
example, he or she can spread herpes to the lips of another person
through kissing. Infection can also be spread from the lips to the
genitals during oral sex. This is why so many cases of genital
herpes are caused today by herpes type 1.
If one has a herpes sore on the genitals, coitus or
other unprotected sexual activity gives the virus a chance to
spread.
How Does Transmission Occur During Sub
clinical Shedding?
The same principles and same scenarios hold.
Unrecognized or "sub clinical" shedding has been
documented in or around the mouth as well as in various genital
sites such as the vagina, penis, and anus. Thus, if HSV is active,
oral, anal or vaginal intercourse can cause transmission -- even
when one has no visible sores or other signs and symptoms.
How Can I Reduce The Risk Of Giving This
To My Partner?
Because it's hard to pinpoint herpes' active phases,
preventing transmission is not a simple matter. But there are a
number of measures you can take to lower the risk of transmitting
herpes:
On the other hand, condoms are the best all-around form of protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Which Combination Of These Precautions Is
Right For You? It's best to talk these over and make decisions with your partner. In doing so, note that your partner's medical history may be an important consideration. If he or she has already acquired herpes, for example, it may be important to know the type and discuss which precautions you still want to take. The best way to find this out is to get a type-specific blood test. For more information about these tests, including the new rapid, finger prick test for herpes, search google.com for 'herpes tests.'
What Are the Odds of Infecting a Partner?
Unfortunately, no single precaution listed above can guarantee protection for a sexual partner. And because it's difficult to organize scientific studies of sexual behavior, there's no easy way to rate the effectiveness of each risk reduction strategy. Your sexual partner's risk of acquiring herpes will vary according to a number of factors. For couples in whom one partner has genital herpes and the other does not, it appears the average rate of transmission is about 10% per year when the couples simply refrain from intercourse during outbreaks. But this average obscures two important factors:
1) The risk to uninfected women is roughly three times greater than the risk to men.
2) the risk of acquiring herpes type 2 is higher in those who have not previously been infected with herpes type 1.
A potentially important variable in risk may be the use of suppressive
antiviral therapy. One study showed a 95% reduction in sub
clinical shedding in people taking daily antiviral therapy, a
result that could indicate lowered risk of transmission as well.
Follow-up studies are addressing this question.
For [herpes pictures click here]. Currently, there is no cure for genital herpes or many other STD's. There is a vaccine in clinical trail for HPV and HSV2.
