You may also catch herpes from a sex partner who does not have any visible sores and even from someone who doesn’t know if he or she is infected. Image by: www.freedigitalphotos.net

The CDC notes that “Genital herpes is common in the United States. About one out of every six people aged 14 to 49 years have genital herpes”.

Herpes is a virus that causes oral cold sores, as well as genital blisters.

Fluids found in a herpes sore carry the virus, therefore contact with those fluids can cause infection, so you can catch herpes by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the disease [3].

Another interesting fact about the herpes virus is that it has the ability to cause a “latent infection”, which means he remains in the body and hides from the immune system for years, without causing any symptoms, only to erupt later without warning [4,5].

Interestingly, you may also catch herpes from a sex partner who does not have any visible sores and even from someone who doesn’t know if he or she is infected because the virus can be released through their skin and spread the infection regardless of symptoms

Interestingly, you may also catch herpes from a sex partner who does not have any visible sores and even from someone who doesn’t know if he or she is infected because the virus can be released through their skin and spread the infection regardless of symptoms.

Broad knowledge helps us understand disease significance, ways of transmission, as well as methods to prevent the spread of the disease . Image by: www.freedigitalphotos.net

Transmitting the virus is more common when genital blisters or ulcers are present, however, transmission during the period with no symptoms is common as well [1-3].

Awareness of Sexually Transmitted Diseases is very much important, however, awareness alone is not enough for prevention.

Broad knowledge helps us understand disease significance, ways of transmission, as well as methods to prevent the spread of the disease . Therefore, we must show responsibility and expand our knowledge of STD’s.

References:
1. Garland SM1, Steben M2. Genital herpes. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2014 Aug 4. pii: S1521-6934(14)00139-4.
2. Johns Hopkins Medicine – Frequently Asked Questions About Herpes – What if I Don’t Have Lesions?

3. WebMD.com – Common Symptoms of Genital Herpes – December 24, 2013. webmd.com/genital-herpes/guide/common-symptoms

4. Pebody, R. G., et al. “The seroepidemiology of herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 in Europe.”Sexually transmitted infections” 80.3 (2004): 185-191.

5. Nahmias, André J., and William E. Josey. “Herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2.” Viral infections of humans. Springer US, 1984. 351-372.‏