GENITAL HERPES: 10 COMMON MYTHS

•  Only promiscuous people get genital herpes.
FALSE. Genital herpes can affect anyone regardless of age, race or gender. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD), however, the number of sexual partners is not a factor in contracting the disease as, contrary to other STDs, genital herpes persists indefinitely and can be transmitted for many years, perhaps for life.

•  Condoms protect against genital herpes.
FALSE. Condoms reduce the risk of transmitting genital herpes, however, they do not entirely remove the risk. This is because the condom may not cover all potential sites of viral shedding or it may not remain in the same place during sex.

•  You always know when you have genital herpes because you have lesions.
FALSE. Genital herpes affects different people in different ways — some people may have lesions or ulcerations but others may show no symptoms at all. Only 20 per cent of people affected by genital herpes have recognised infection, 60 per cent have unrecognised symptoms and a further 20 per cent have completely asymptomatic infection (no symptoms present).

•  Genital herpes cannot be treated.
FALSE. Although genital herpes cannot be cured, it is a manageable condition that can be treated. Antiviral tablets can help stop genital herpes from multiplying and can be used to prevent recurrent outbreaks.

•  Genital herpes is an uncommon condition.
FALSE. Genital herpes is a common virus affecting one in 8 Australian adults. However, only 20 per cent of people affected with genital herpes have recognised infection, 60 per cent have unrecognised symptoms and a further 20 per cent have completely asymptomatic infection (no symptoms present).

•  Genital herpes can cause cervical cancer.
FALSE. Genital herpes is not associated with the development of cervical cancer.

•  A full STD test detects genital herpes.
FALSE. A full STD test does not include a test for genital herpes. The best way of making a diagnosis of genital herpes is to see a doctor when symptoms are present. A specimen will be taken and sent to a laboratory for analysis.

•  Cold sores are part of the herpes virus family.
TRUE. The viruses causing genital herpes and cold sores are from the herpes virus family. The viruses causing chickenpox and shingles are also part of the herpes virus family.

•  Genital herpes can only be transmitted via penetrative sex.
FALSE. Transmission of genital herpes is most likely to occur during vaginal intercourse, oral or anal sex. The majority of transmissions occur when herpes blisters or sores are not present.

•  Cold sores can be transmitted during oral sex and can ultimately cause genital herpes.
TRUE. Genital herpes can be transmitted through oral sex if one partner suffers from cold sores. Oral sex should therefore be avoided until sores have healed. Using condoms during oral sex may reduce the risk of transmission.