Myths about herpes

Before I go any further, let me be clear about the picture accompanying this post. I have no intimate knowledge that anyone featured in the picture actually has herpes. I've only heard and/or read stories about it. But, with about 1 in 6 adults having genital herpes, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and with all the partner swapping going on these days, it doesn't surprise me one bit. So thanks to the good people over at Yourtango.com, I'd like to give you a few myths about the virus that have been proven wrong. Remember...knowledge is power!!! Check it out:

While it may be super-common, there are still a lot of myths out there about it — here are five I hear a lot.

Myth 1: If I don't have any sores, I don't have herpes.

Herpes can lay dormant (sort of like it’s in hibernation) for years without causing any noticeable symptoms. Because of this, many people don't know they have it and may have trouble figuring out how or when they got it. When symptoms do occur, they often appear as small blisters on or around the genitals. The blisters may look like pimples with clear fluid in them, and they may be painful or have a burning sensation. The best way to find out if you have herpes is to see a health care provider if you have pain, blisters or a sore.

Myth 2: We didn’t have sex, so there’s no way I have genital herpes.

Herpes is spread by skin-to-skin contact with someone who carries the virus. That means you can get herpes by touching, kissing and oral, vaginal or anal sex. People who carry herpes don't always know they have the virus, and they may not have any visible sores on their skin.

That said, your risk of getting the virus is higher if you've had contact with a partner who does have a visible sore. Using condoms can majorly decrease the risk of spreading the virus, but doesn’t eliminate it completely. Unfortunately, no other type of birth control reduces the risk of this STI.

Myth 3: There’s a cure for herpes ... right?
 
First, the bad news: Once you have herpes, it will be with you for the rest of your life. The virus can lay dormant for long stretches of time, then cause "outbreaks" at times of stress or illness.

Now, the good news: There are medications you can take to make an outbreak go away faster. If you only get outbreaks once every few years, you can take the medications just when you have an outbreak. If you get outbreaks more often, you might benefit from taking a medication daily to prevent them. A discussion with your healthcare provider will help you decide which strategy is best for you.

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