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How common is genital herpes?
It is estimated that 50 million people have genital herpes. That means
that 1 out of 5 adults is infected with the virus. Anyone
who is sexually active, even with just 1 person, can get genital herpes.
There are up to 1 million new cases each year, and, in fact, genital herpes is
now more common than diseases like diabetes and asthma.
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Who is most at risk for being infected with genital herpes?
Anyone who is sexually active, including any vaginal, oral, or anal contact,
can get genital herpes. Almost 90% of people with genital herpes have not been
diagnosed and are unaware of their condition. Many of them may have symptoms
they don’t recognize or confuse with something else. Others don’t have symptoms
at all, but may still spread the genital herpes virus. To find out more about
how to reduce your risk of spreading genital herpes,
click here.
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Can I spread genital herpes even when I'm not having an
outbreak?
Yes. The genital herpes virus can still be spread even when there are no
visible signs of an outbreak. In fact, one study found that up to 70% of people
who had genital herpes got it from their partner when they had no signs or
symptoms of an outbreak. And since the symptoms are not always obvious, as many
as 9 out of 10 people who have genital herpes don't even know they're
infected.
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How can I reduce the risk of spreading the herpes virus?
The CDC recommends daily medication as part of a plan to reduce the risk of spreading genital herpes. Once-daily VALTREX is the only medication proven to reduce
the risk of spreading genital herpes to a partner. Safer sex practices
should be used with daily therapy. Always practice safer sex, even if you've
been in the same relationship for a very long time. Do not have sex if you are
having an outbreak or think you are about to get one. Always use a condom when
you have sex. Take VALTREX every day as prescribed. It is not known if VALTREX reduces the risk of spreading genital herpes in same-sex couples.
See CDC STD Treatment Guidelines, 2006.
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How can my partner find out if he or she has genital
herpes?
You should be open to the possibility that your partner may also have genital
herpes. Almost 90% of people who are infected with HSV-2 are unaware of it
because they mistake their symptoms for something else or they don’t have
symptoms at all. Encourage your partner to ask his or her healthcare provider
to be tested for the virus. Tests that you get at routine check-ups, such as
pap smears or even other STD tests, do not test for genital herpes. So, you
should ask for a blood test specifically for genital herpes. The HerpeSelect*
and biokitHSV-2 Rapid Test† are two FDA-approved blood tests designed to
detect if you have genital herpes (HSV-2).
*HerpeSelect is a registered trademark of Focus Technologies.
†biokitHSV-2 Rapid Test is manufactured by Biokit S.A.
GlaxoSmithKline has no financial
interest in these manufacturers.
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I’m in a long-term relationship – if I just found out I have
genital herpes, does that mean my partner has been sexually unfaithful?
If you have been recently diagnosed with genital herpes and are in a committed
relationship, you may have questions about your partner’s sexual faithfulness.
You should be aware that it is not always possible to know exactly when you
became infected with the disease. While a blood test may tell you if you have
genital herpes, it cannot tell you how long you have been infected. Also,
remember that almost 90% of people infected with genital herpes are unaware of
their condition and may spread the disease unknowingly. So even if you did get
genital herpes from your partner, he or she may not even know that they have
it. That’s why it is important that they get
tested for the virus.
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If I think I have genital herpes, what should I do?
If you suspect that you have been exposed to genital herpes, you should ask
your healthcare provider to be tested for the virus. Tests that you get at
routine check-ups, such as pap smears, do not test for genital herpes. Even if
you have been screened for STDs, don’t assume that a test for genital herpes
was included. So, you should ask for a blood test specifically for genital
herpes. The HerpeSelect* and biokitHSV-2 Rapid Test† are two FDA-approved
blood tests designed to detect if you have genital herpes (HSV-2).
*HerpeSelect is a registered trademark of Focus Technologies.
†biokitHSV-2 Rapid Test is manufactured by Biokit S.A.
GlaxoSmithKline has no financial
interest in these manufacturers.
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If I am pregnant and have genital herpes, will I transmit
it to the baby?
Women with genital herpes can have healthy babies. If you are infected with
genital herpes, it is possible to transmit the infection to your baby. You are
at the greatest risk of transmitting herpes if you become infected during
pregnancy. Therefore, it is particularly important to take appropriate
precautions to prevent becoming infected during pregnancy. It is strongly
recommended that pregnant women who suspect that they may have genital herpes
discuss this with their doctor or healthcare provider because there are
precautions that can be taken to help protect the baby from infection.
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Can genital herpes be mistaken for other medical
conditions?
Some people confuse their symptoms with different conditions such as vaginal
discharge, yeast infections, jock itch, and urinary tract infections. If you
have had one of these conditions 3 or more times in the past 12 months, you may
want to talk to your doctor about being tested specifically for genital herpes.
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Is there an increased risk of catching other sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs) if I have genital herpes?
Studies suggest that being infected with genital herpes may increase the
likelihood of contracting other STDs. In fact, having genital herpes may double
the risk of acquiring HIV. You and your partner should get tested for all types
of STDs and continue to practice safer sex.
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If I request an HIV test or a screening test for sexually
transmitted diseases, am I getting screened for genital herpes?
Probably not. When healthcare providers test for sexually transmitted diseases
or HIV they often do not test for genital herpes. So, you should ask for a
blood test specifically for genital herpes. The HerpeSelect* and biokitHSV-2
Rapid Test† are two FDA-approved laboratory blood tests designed to detect if
you have genital herpes (HSV-2).
*HerpeSelect is a registered trademark of Focus Technologies.
†biokitHSV-2 Rapid Test is manufactured by Biokit S.A.
GlaxoSmithKline has no financial
interest in these manufacturers.
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Do the tests I get at routine check-ups (for example, pap
smears) screen for genital herpes?
No. Tests that you get at routine check-ups, such as pap smears, do not test
for genital herpes. So, you should ask for a blood test specifically for
genital herpes. The HerpeSelect* and biokitHSV-2 Rapid Test† are two
FDA-approved blood tests designed to detect if you have genital herpes (HSV-2).
*HerpeSelect is a registered trademark of Focus Technologies.
†biokitHSV-2 Rapid Test is manufactured by Biokit S.A.
GlaxoSmithKline has no financial
interest in these manufacturers.
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