Herpes
Source:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001860/
Source:
http://www.cdc.gov/std/herpes/stdfact-herpes.htm
How common is genital herpes?
Results of a nationally representative study show that genital herpes infection is common in the United States. Nationwide, 16.2%, or about one out of six, people 14 to 49 years of age have genital HSV-2 infection. Over the past decade, the percentage of Americans with genital herpes infection in the U.S. has remained stable.
Genital HSV-2 infection is more common in women (approximately one out of five women 14 to 49 years of age) than in men (about one out of nine men 14 to 49 years of age). Transmission from an infected male to his female partner is more likely than from an infected female to her male partner.
Complications
Pregnant women who have an active herpes infection on their genitals or in their birth canal when they deliver may pass the infection to their newborn infant.
* The risk of passing the infection to the baby is highest if the mom first becomes infected with herpes during pregnancy. Babies of women who become infected during pregnancy are at risk for premature birth. The baby may develop develop brain infection (meningitis, encephalitis) , chronic skin infeciton, severe developmental delays, or death.
* The risk for severe infection in the baby is lower in recurrent outbreaks, with the highest risk in women experiencing an outbreak at the time of delivery.
* Women with a history of herpes but who only have occasional or no outbreaks rarely transmit the infection to their babies.
Some people may develop severe herpes infections that involve the brain, eyes, esophagus, livere, spinal cord, or lungs. These complications often develop in people who have a weakened immune system, AIDS, are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or who take high doses of cortisone.
Someone with an active herpes infection who has sexual contact with someone who is HIV positive is more likely to contract HIV infection themselves.
Calling your health care provider
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have any symptoms of genital herpes, or if you develop fever, headache, vomiting, or widespread symptoms during or after an outbreak of herpes. Also call if you are unable to urinate.
Prevention
The best way to avoid getting genital herpes is to avoid all sexual contact, including oral sex. Next best is being in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationshipw with someone who has been tested and is not, and never has been, infected with herpes.
Condoms remain the best way to protect against catching genital herpes during sexual activity with someone who is infected. Using a condom correctly and consistently will help prevent the spread of the disease.
* Only latex condomes will work to prevent infection. Animal membrane (sheepskin) condoms won't work because the virus can go right through them.
* The female condom has been tested and shown to reduce the risk of trasmitting herpes, as well.
* A latex condom should be used during ALL sexual contact, even if the infected person does not have any sores or blisters at that time.
In addition, people with genital herpes who don't have any current symptoms should tell their partner that they have the disease.
Vaccines against herpes have been developed but are still experimental.
