50 Million US Infected With Genital Herpes

50 million US infected with Genital Herpes

It's true and it cannot be cured, only controlled, extremely widespread largely because it is so contagious, carriers can transmit the disease without having any symptoms themselves of active infection.

As many as 50 million Americans are infected with genital herpes, with 1 million new infections each year. As many as 80-90% of those infected fail to recognize herpes symptoms or have no symptoms at all.

Genital herpes is a common, highly infectious disease. It is transmitted from one person to another during sexual activity. Genital herpes causes blisters or groups of small ulcers (open sores) on and around the genitals in both men and women. ( Source : Genital--Herpes.info

The highest rates of infection are seen among the poor, those with less education, those using cocaine, and those with many sexual partners.

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Most genital herpes infections are caused by HSV-2. HSV-1 is the usual cause of what most people call "fever blisters" in and around the mouth and can be transmitted from person to person through kissing. Less often, HSV-1 can cause genital herpes infections through oral sexual contact. The genital sores caused by either virus look the same.

Genital herpes is spread by direct contact with an infected person. Sexual intercourse and oral sex are the most common methods of spreading genital herpes. Any type of skin-to-skin contact, however, is capable of spreading herpes.

Note: People with herpes may spread the disease even if they do not realize they have an infection. Furthermore, there is strong evidence that people with herpes can transmit infection even while their disease appears to be inactive and no sores can be seen.

Many people remember having an episode of genital herpes. But as many as 90% of those infected fail to recognize the symptoms or have no symptoms at all. It is not clear whether these people never had an initial herpes outbreak or whether they never noticed a mild infection. They are contagious and may have additional outbreaks, nonetheless.

Genital Herpes Symptoms
Signs of herpes tend to develop within 3-7 days of skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Herpes infections look like small blisters or ulcers (round areas of broken skin) on the genitals. Each blister or ulcer is typically only 1-3 millimeters in size, and the blisters or ulcers tend to be grouped into "crops." Usually the blisters form first then soon open to form ulcers. Herpes infections may be painless or slightly tender. In some people, however, the blisters or ulcers can be very tender and painful.