Do you believe the Herpes statistics? chat & forums.

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Thread: Do you believe the Herpes statistics?

Joined: 5/30/2008

Msg: 58 (view)

Do you believe the Herpes statistics? Posted: 7/13/2008 6:47:01 PM
Oh, I forgot to add that you should ask for the igG HerpesSelect test, nto the igM. igM is said to test for recently acquired infections, but it has been found to be inaccurate. igG will give you a true answer, as long as you test 12-16 weeks after your last possible exposure.

Joined: 5/30/2008

Msg: 57 (view)

Do you believe the Herpes statistics? Posted: 7/13/2008 6:39:32 PM
I am also pretty scared of the virus, so I have done a LOT of research. I've found that 1/4 of adults in America have HSV-2 (the virus type that typically causes the genital cases), and up to 80% have HSV-1, which typically causes cold sores, but actually accounts for 30-50% of new genital cases seen in clinics. Most people who have HSV-1 have never had a cold sore, so you really wouldn't know unless you were tested. You can get a type-specific test that will check the antibodies in your blood, and tell you whether or not you have either type. It is said that 90% of people who will test positive for HSV-2 say that they have never had any symptoms, but they are still very contagious. That's why they are often shocked with their partners say that they gave them the virus, even years after being with that person. Most people who say that they don't have it probably show some symptoms, but they are so mild that they are mistaken for something else. A small percentage are probably truly asymptomatic. That being said, however, they are still very contagious, even without symptoms: the HSV-2 virus can shed from your body as often as 1/5 of the time. HSV-1 will shed from one's mouth up to 18% of the time, regardless of whether or not the person ever gets cold sores. You can always have a partner blood-tested to see whether or not they have HSV-2. The scary thing to me is HSV-1. If you've never been infected, you can get it genitally through oral sex, even if your partner has never had any symptoms. Although, if you get it genitally, it is usually very mild and half of those who have a primary outbreak will never have another. It also is rare to spread HSV-1 from this location, since it doesn't thrive as well (it really prefers the oral area). Most people will test positive for HSV-1, and if you never have any symptoms, you have to guess where the infection is. If you already have the infection in one location though, then you probably won't get it somewhere else, since you already have the antibodies. Having type 1 won't help prevent you from getting type 2 though. If you are worried, definitely get the HerpeSelect test. It should help you a lot. Also, have your partners tested. Most people have NEVER been tesetd for herpes. Most places don't include it in their routine testing, and so many doctors have never heard of it. When I asked my doctor for it, he didn't even believe it existed...he had to look it up! So even if your partners say that they've been tested for everything, you should still insisit that they get this test. Good luck, and try not to worry so much! :) The statistics are so high because so many people are uniformed. If someone knows they have the virus, they are MUCh less likely to transmit it - with the use of antiviral medications and condoms, and also just checking to make sure no outbreak is present, the transmission rates are much lower.

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