Herpes - Myth vs Fact Herpes is common, manageable & treatable
| Herpes... Myth vs Fact (in pdf form) |
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Myth: It is shameful to have herpes.
Fact: No, it is very common
and any one who has ever had sex can get genital herpes. It’s not
about being clean, dirty, good or bad-it’s about being normal and
sexually active.
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Myth: Herpes isn’t that common and I am unlikely to get it.
Fact: Herpes is very common
and may be caused by both herpes simplex type 1 and type 2. (HSV1 or
HSV2). HSV 1 causes “cold sores” on the mouth and up to 80% of the
population has this virus. However, it may also be transmitted to
the genitals through oral/genital sex and about 30% of genital
herpes is caused by HSV 1. Up to 22% of sexually active adults
have genital herpes caused by HSV 2. Most people who have herpes
will not have symptoms and therefore will not be aware they have it.
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Myth: Herpes “cold sores” on the mouth are not the same as genital herpes.
Fact:
Cold sores on the mouth or face are caused by HSV1 and are commonly
transmitted to the genitals (causing genital herpes) through oral to
genital sex. 30% of genital herpes is caused by herpes simplex type
1. Cold sores and genital herpes are caused by different strains
of the same virus, just presenting
in a different place.
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Myth: Herpes can only affect the genital area.
Fact:
Herpes Type 1 typically affects the mouth area. Herpes Type 2
affects the genitals, pubic area, buttocks, back of thigh or inner
thigh. Herpes can also occur on other parts of the body such as the
arms or fingers and this is called herpetic whitlow.
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Myth: People always know if they have genital herpes.
Fact: No, 80% of those with genital herpes do not know they
have it, as they may have no or very mild symptoms.
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Myth: People with herpes are always infectious.
Fact: A person with herpes is not
always infectious but the virus is occasionally shed from the skin
when symptoms are not present. However approximately 95% of the time
when you don’t have symptoms you are not infectious.
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Myth: When you have an STD check or a cervical smear it always checks for herpes.
Fact: Routine sexual health (STD
screens) checks and cervical smear tests do not screen or test for
herpes. Tests for herpes can only be done if a person has symptoms
and a swab is taken directly from the lesion. A blood test is
available to test for type specific herpes simplex antibodies (typespecific
IgG blood test) but these are not done routinely.
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Myth: People with herpes cannot have children.
Fact: Herpes does not affect fertility in either men or women, and women with genital herpes can have normal pregnancies and vaginal delivery. Herpes can be passed onto babies but this is very rare and can occurs when a pregnant woman gets herpes for the first time in the last 3 months of pregnancy, often without any symptoms present at the time.
If you or your partner has herpes and you become pregnant tell
your health care professional.
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Myth: Herpes causes cervical cancer.
Fact: Herpes is not
associated with cervical abnormalities or cervical cancer. These are
caused by the HPV (human papilloma virus) which is not herpes.
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Myth: Herpes is passed through blood.
Fact: Herpes is not present in the blood.
People with genital herpes can still donate blood. Genital herpes is
only passed through direct skin to skin contact both orally and
genitally.
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Myth: If you have herpes you should always wear condoms in new long term monogamous relationships.
Fact: In long term relationships, most
couples choose to not continually use condoms, and understand that
getting herpes is just a part of life. (Your partner may already
have herpes without being aware of it). Whilst some people may
experience troublesome symptoms from time to time, for the majority,
herpes is not symptomatic or causes only mild symptoms. Medication
is available for those that need it.
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Myth: If you have genital herpes you can’t have (receive) oral sex.
Fact: Genital herpes Type
2 does not tend to infect the mouth or face area. This would only
happen if that person had never been exposed to Type 1 herpes
before. Most people have been exposed to Type 1 herpes in childhood.
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Myth: I can pass herpes to my self from my mouth to my genitals if I accidentally touch myself.
Fact: Once you have herpes at one site,
it is very rare to then get the same type at another site. This is
because your body develops antibodies which prevents this from
happening.
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Myth: It’s risky living in the same house as someone who has genital herpes.
Fact: The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is not spread through
sharing communal facilities. When the virus leaves living skin
cells, it dies. People with genital or facial herpes are able to use
the same showers, toilets, washing machines and swimming pools as
anyone else, without the worry of passing on the infection.
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Herpes... Myth vs Fact (in pdf form)
Winning the war in your mind.The emotional impact of being diagnosed with genital herpes is often much worse than the condition and it doesn’t deserve the upset it causes. |
Also see our guide which is divided into four sections (in pdf form):
Alternatively you can download our guide as one pdf.
Click here if you would like to get a copy of the information booklet "The Facts: A guide for people with Genital Herpes" (it contains sections on Genital Herpes - The Facts, Herpes and Relationships, Herpes and Pregnancy, Facial Herpes).