Meet Positives Highlights Genital Herpes Facts And Myths In Their New Post

Chicago, Illinois -

Genital herpes has become very common in the United States. For this reason, there are a lot of misconceptions and half truths. This is why Meet Positives has decided to post a new article highlighting the genital herpes facts and myths. This is aimed at helping people understand the infection and know how to protect themselves if they are not infected or cope with the infection and protect those around them if they are infected.

According to the website, "Genital herpes is common in the United States and Statistics shows that one in five Americans have genital herpes, a lifelong (but manageable) infection, yet up to 90 percent of those with herpes are unaware they have it. Most people who have genital herpes have no symptoms, however, it is important to know that even without signs of the disease, it can still spread to sexual partners.

"One of the most common misconceptions about herpes is that it is rare. The reality is that herpes is incredibly common, with anywhere from 50 to 90 percent of all Americans carrying at least one strand of the virus. There are two types of herpes strands—Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1), which is most commonly responsible for cold sores, and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2), which is most commonly responsible for genital outbreaks. There are, however, rare instances in which HSV-1 can be contracted genitally, and HSV-2 can be contracted orally.

"Unfortunately, because it is so common, the majority of STD tests do not screen for herpes. Most infections are visually diagnosed, and even then, physicians are right only 80 percent of the time. Interestingly enough, the CDC does not currently recommend routine type 2 HSV testing in someone with no symptoms suggestive of herpes infection, citing a lack of evidence that testing for the STD would curb the infection rate. Similarly, it is not clear whether knowledge of a herpes diagnosis improves the health of people taking the tests, as stress has been known to be a trigger for outbreaks.

"Approximately 85 to 90 percent of those infected with HSV-2 exhibit little to no symptoms, which is why as many as 90 percent of those infected with the virus have no clue they are carrying it, according to theAmerican Sexual Health Association. If you wish to know whether or not you are one of many unaware of your herpes status, you will need to specifically request to be screened for it, but note that the blood tests used to determine your HSV status are frequently inaccurate and a subject of debate among physicians."

For more information about herpes facts and myths, visit the Meet Positives site.