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HERPES

By: Lauren Danver, Fri Dec 9th, 2005 05:07:35 PM

You’ve met this great guy. Things are going very well, in fact, you think tonight’s date may be “the date”. Actually, your guy thinks the same thing. He feels you’re special and wants to take things to the next level.

Date night arrives. You spend a romantic evening together over dinner and he offers to continue the evening over at his place. Silently you think, “Yes! This is it!” But first, he says, he would like to tell you something. He gently informs you that he has genital herpes. Trying to remain calm, because you’ve only “heard of” herpes, but know very little about it, you say, “oh”, followed by dead silence.

Many people have often been in the situation described above. You’ve heard of herpes, but you don’t really know what it is or how concerned you should be. You ask yourself, “Do I need to be worried?” “If we use a condom, will every thing be OK?” These questions, and many others like them, are essential to ask.

What Is Genital Herpes?

Genital herpes is caused by HSV-2 and infects about 50 million Americans over age 20. HSV-2 is a viral STD (sexually transmitted disease). There are two types of herpes, HSV-1 (herpes simplex virus 1) and HSV-2 (herpes simplex virus 2). It is possible to contract both varieties in the genital region, although HSV-2 is the viral infection most commonly referred to as “genital herpes”. HSV-1 is known is better known as a “cold sore”. Because herpes is viral, this means that it never leaves your body. Typically, first outbreaks are more painful and last longer than subsequent outbreaks, which tend to be shorter in duration and longer in length between outbreaks. But the potential for a future outbreak remains constant.

How Do I Get Genital Herpes?

Genital herpes is primarily spread through sexual contact with person who is experiencing an outbreak. However, through a process called “viral shedding”, it is possible to contract the virus through sexual contact, from someone who is not showing any signs of an outbreak. Often times, when a person has an active lesion (sore), it will not be painful and the carrier may not know they are having an outbreak or even that they are infected. Using a condom is not a “guarantee” against becoming infected, although it does lower the transmission risk.

How Can I Tell If I Have Genital Herpes?

If you notice that you have a lesion in the genital area (either painful or non-painful), you should see a doctor. The doctor will lightly scrape the lesion for cells and have them tested at a lab for the presence of the virus. This is surest method of detection. Without the presence of a lesion, you can also take a blood test designed to detect the virus, however, these tests are not 100% accurate.

What Should I Do If Someone I’m Dating Tells Me They Have Genital Herpes?

This is a highly individual answer. You need to do several things if you are informed by your potential partner that they have genital herpes. First of all, thank them. Regardless of your decision whether or not to continue the relationship, it took a lot of courage to tell you up front. Chances are they’re giving you a choice that they may not have been given themselves. Second, get as informed as you can. Talk to your doctor, do research online, or buy a book on the subject. You need as many informational and medical resources as it takes to make you feel confident that you are making an informed decision. Lastly, be realistic. Your potential partner can take viral suppressant medication and that can greatly reduce the number of outbreak incidents, but they cannot ever guarantee you 100% safety from infection. If you feel the relationship has long term, serious potential, then let that guide you as well.

This article is strictly informational and not intended to prevent, diagnose or treat genital herpes.

About the author: Lauren Danver is the owner of the Herpes and Shingles Information Center, a website designed to provide the most recent news and information about developments in the fields of herpes and shingles research

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