March 10th, 2010

Genital Herpes Infection Rate Remains High.  The CDC recently reported that a whopping one in six Americans is affected by the Herpes virus, and that close to one in two African American women are infected.  Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection rates have remained stable since the 1990s.  This is the virus that causes Genital Herpes.

The HSV-2 virus costs the healthcare industry a whopping $16 billion dollars a year.  The rate of infection of genital herpes varies across various demographics.  Here are some of the highlights:

-African American women have an infection rate of 48%

-Individuals reporting to have only had one partner in their entire life have an infection rate of 4%

-Individuals reporting 10 or more partners have an infection rate of 27%

-4 out of 5 people with the virus have not been diagnosed and may not know they have genital herpes

-Women have a 21% infection rate, men 11%

-African Americans have an infection rate of 39%, Whites have an infection rate of 12%

Not only is genital herpes a life long affliction, it’s also associated with higher risks of HIV virus.  Doctors note that the sites where genital ulcers form are a magnet for the HIV virus to enter the body, even if the ulcers have disappeared.

Women are more likely than men to contract the virus because the tissue in their areas tear, making it easier for the virus to enter their body.

The CDC indicates that more must be done to combat awareness of these STDs.  Public service programs and ad campaigns simply aren’t enough to combat the infection rate.  Routine screening for genital herpes isn’t typically recommended, except for in HIV positive individuals, high-risk individuals with multiple partners, and gay/bisexual men.

Source:
WebMD

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