The basic facts about herpes
Just found out that you have herpes? You’re definitely not alone. The American Social Health Association (ASHA) says that as many as 25 percent of all American adults carry the genital herpes virus and a staggering 50 to 80 percent have oral herpes (more commonly known as cold sores). Since herpes can lie dormant in the body, most of these people don’t even know that they’re infected.
Unless you’re the kind of guy who’s still with his middle school sweetheart, there’s a pretty good chance you have herpes. It’s really just a matter of math. If you’ve hooked up with five girls and they’ve each hooked up with five other guys (I know, I know… you don’t want to think about that), the percentages quickly turn against you. Remember – you don’t have to show symptoms to be infected.
By now, you’ve probably got your pants half down and you’re inspecting your crotch with a hand mirror. Or maybe you’re frantically searching for genital herpes pictures in Google Images and comparing what you see (pretty gross, right?) to your own man-bits. Don’t waste your time (and, for God’s sake, close your Internet browser tab with all the herpes pictures on it before someone walks in and sees it!). If you’re unsure whether you have herpes, talk to your doctor about it. There’s a test for herpes and it can detect the virus even if you aren’t in the middle of an outbreak.
Herpes Facts
It sucks to have herpes, but it’s not the end of the world. The outbreaks can be sore, but they are unlikely to cause any further health complications. There are, however, a few basic facts about herpes that you need to know:
- Herpes can spread even when there are no visible symptoms. This means that visually inspecting your partner’s genitals to ensure that they look “clean” won’t keep you free of herpes. You should avoid sexual contact entirely during an outbreak and you should make sure to use condoms at all other times in order to prevent giving your partner herpes (or getting it from her).
- There is no cure for herpes. There are, however, drugs that can treat the virus and help control outbreaks.
- Having genital herpes may make you more likely to contract HIV. Some studies show that you’re two to four times as likely to contract HIV if you have genital herpes. The likely reason for this is that having herpes can lead to open sores on your genitals, which can make it easier for HIV to enter your body.
Comments
alexandrea
May 5th, 2010 - 6:28:23 AM
herpes are nasty
1
thomas
May 11th, 2010 - 5:58:54 AM
how u know if a girl has it.
2
thomas
May 11th, 2010 - 6:01:01 AM
herpes are nastyan i hope i never get them grouse
3
Young60
May 13th, 2010 - 11:24:45 AM
Herpes are nasty and if people kno they got it why do they have sex wit people without protection
4
MADDISION
May 20th, 2010 - 6:08:56 AM
DO U GET HERPES FROM ORAL SEX?AN WIN PEPS GOT IT Y DO THEY STILL HAVE SEX?I NO THAT THEY WOULD WANT PLESURE N ALL BUT JUS TELL UR PARNER THE TRUTH.Y DO THEY EVEN CHEAT ON THERE PARTNERS? IF THEY DIDNT DO IT IN THE FIRST PLACE AN KEEP THEIR LEGS CLOSED AN THEIR STICK IN THAT WASNT GONNA HAPPEN>>>>>>:(
5
britt
June 19th, 2010 - 1:40:11 PM
u no,people nowadays don"t care bout no one but themselves. u no? all they care bout is getting a dang on nutty-buddy!! Wow. what such creeps.
6
Heather
June 29th, 2010 - 10:36:18 AM
I have contracted herpes type 1 and feel like the world has completely crashed on me. My partner had herpes and did not tell me...I would compare the pain to child birth.
7
Anonymous
July 1st, 2010 - 12:29:56 PM
how old are you people??? SERIOUSLY grow up and use the internet for something other than listening to yourself.
8
leandra anthony
September 7th, 2010 - 8:47:19 AM
everybody keep yall legs closed. n tell your partner if you have some kind of disease.thank you for you business dueces
9
alphaba
September 9th, 2010 - 4:05:50 PM
herpes are such a curse to thoes that love to have sex and have them
10
Les frisse
September 17th, 2010 - 8:07:21 AM
My girlfriend contacted herpes from a previous man. She performed oral sex on him also. Can her mouth be infected? What do I do in this case ? we have not had sex yet, can I get my mouth infected since we have kissed pationately
11
tabitha
September 17th, 2010 - 8:13:01 AM
You guys who are saying all this stuff about how nasty it is , well your right but grow up. 1 in 5 people have it and don't know it. My ex husband cheated and gave it to me. I am so lucky to have a husband now that loves me no matter what and is not as immature as people like you. Go get checked I bet atleast one out of you guys have it and don't even know it.
12
bleh
September 23rd, 2010 - 9:17:56 AM
i have a question, what is the propper way of telling someone u have it? and when should u tell some one? it seems that the natural stereotype is that people will be disgusted right off the bat and want nothing to do with u if u tell them from the get go.
13
gabe
February 14th, 2011 - 7:46:10 AM
herpies are soooo disgusting and nsty but i gabe has heard that there are alot of people have died from that
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gabe
February 14th, 2011 - 7:49:10 AM
uuuuhhhh soooooo digusting have you eva seen somebody with herpies post back love ya
15
DEE
February 16th, 2011 - 6:35:19 PM
IM 1 MONTHS PREGANCY AND I HAVE GENEL HERPS... NY FEMALE OUT COULD HELP ME??
16
anonymous
February 20th, 2011 - 12:34:32 AM
I know a girl that has herpes but she still having sex with guys.she said shes not going to tell them,that its there fault for having sex with her.if they get it
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