Herpes, STDs and Ignorance

I was on a dance music site i frequent, and was surprised at how ignorant people were, even those who consider themselves well educated on things sexual. I realise by posting this some people may think I have an STD. I don't as far as I know, 'tho will be getting tested again soon. And frankly, i don't care what people think. There is too much stigma associated with these diseases, which doesn't help the control of their spread imo.

Anyway, as far as Herpes goes, most people know there are two types, oral (HSV1) and genital (HSV2). What many people don't know is they don't spread purely by oral-oral or genital-genital contact. It can be spread through oral sex which is where many people don't protect themselves.

Both viral types [Oral and Genital] are easily transmitted to their site of preference, and can also be spread to other sites. Both are most contagious during active outbreaks, but are often spread through viral shedding when there are no recognizable symptoms. According to Spruance, people with recurrent oral HSV-1 [Oral herpes] shed virus in their saliva about 5% of the time even when they show no symptoms. In the first year of infection, people with genital HSV-2 shed virus from the genital area about 6-10% of days when they show no symptoms, and less often over time.

...

While HSV- 1 (Oral Herpes) can be spread from genitals to genitals, "we think it is spread more easily through oral sex because HSV-1 reactivates more frequently in the oral area," says Wald. However, she warns, "transmission of genital HSV-1 during asymptomatic shedding has been documented." In other words, genital HSV-1 can be spread through genital sex, even when there are no symptoms.

...

If HSV infection is as easily transmitted from the mouth as from the genitals, then why do people take steps to prevent genital but not oral infection? Why don't we kiss through dental dams ?

"It's ironic, isn't it?" says Wald. "It's not about health, it's about social acceptability."

from

http://www.herpes.com/hsv1-2.html

There is plenty more out there including a number of herpes forums where you can get accurate information, and support, from people who have it.

Many herpes sufferers aren't aware there are now drugs that can control the severity of outbreaks, lessen their frequency and reduce the amount of viral shedding when you're not actively symptomatic. Shame prevents many people from taking care of themselves and their partners.

Knowledge is power. Power doesn't lead to happiness, but it's useful stuff.





listning to normal sounds of life, still letting my brain recover from too much noise.