Abstinence - STD's - Dating - Parenting - Marriage Matters - Sexual Assault - Cohabitation

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE:
Chlamydia - Gonorrhea - Herpes - HPV & Genital Warts - Syphillis - Trichomonoiasis - HIV/AIDS - Prevention

Herpes
Herpes is caused by a virus, not by bacteria. As such, antibiotics have no effect. There are two herpes viruses that are labeled sexually transmitted, herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 is the virus that causes cold sores around the mouth and the lips. It can be spread to the genitals. HSV-2 almost always is spread via genital contact. Herpes is a common infection. CDC estimates that over 45 million Americans are infected, with a slightly higher rate among women. This includes nearly 1/2 of all African Americans and an estimated 1 out of 5 Americans of all races over age 11. The infection rate is continuing to increase with a 30 percent jump over the last 3 decades.

Symptoms & Dangers
The signs of an infection are blisters that appear at the infection site. They break open and becomes sores that take a few weeks to heal. The virus however does not go away. It merely becomes dormant for a period of time. Another outbreak, a few weeks or months later is not unusual. Outbreaks can continue throughout a persons life, though the severity tends to diminish. Unfortunately many people do not know they are infected. They have never had an outbreak of sores. They can still pass on the virus, as can people who know they are infected but are showing no signs. The virus can still be present and passed on. A rare but real danger of herpes infection is in pregnant women. An infected woman can pass on the infection during delivery. Such a situation can be fatal for the baby. Herpes is also suspected of playing a major role in the spread of AIDS. CDC says a person with herpes is more susceptible to HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Prevention
There is no cure for herpes. There are some medications that can lessen the severity and length of outbreaks. Once again the only sure way to prevent getting herpes is abstinence. All other methods carry risks.