News
Herpes: you've got it
More people with virus may not know due to childhood diseases, false negative test results
In today's day and age there is always something to worry about. Whether it is the current situation with troops in Iraq battling for our country, or unforeseen natural disasters like Hawaii's latest earthquake, how can anybody feel safe?
Of course, these things are high profile issues. On a smaller scale, it would seem we at least have control over things like the well-being of our bodies and overall health, right? That is a question that can not be answered with a straight yes or no.
For anyone who's had the chicken pox or the shingles, here's a fun fact: the virus that triggers those outbreaks is the same virus that triggers the sexually transmitted disease commonly known as herpes. Also, the common cold sore, which 80 to 95 percent of Americans live with, is a form of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV 1), the most widespread form of herpes known. Although HSV1 is usually a disease impacting the mouth, it can also be transmitted to the genitals through sexual contact. Typically, however, the disease transmitted through genital-to-genital contact is HSV 2.
"I had no idea," said Jim White, senior at UNLV. "It's so scary that herpes is so closely related to something that I caught when I was only a small child. It kind of puts a sick feeling in my stomach."
Furthermore, standardized testing for STDs does not include testing for herpes. But why?
According to Planned Parenthood of Nevada, 50 to 80 percent of people who get tested for herpes test positive. Take note that this statistic only represents those that actually take the test; think about the other population that simply doesn't.
Most people who do contract the disease aren't aware of it; hence, there is an increasing chance of transmitting the virus to their partner(s).
Herpes is a virus. What makes it different from other known viruses is that herpes is forever because unfortunately the virus cannot be touched by the body's normal defenses.
The only relief victims have is over-the-counter medications to decrease the occurrences of outbreaks. Valtrex, for which many have seen the commercial, is known to fight off these outbreaks more effectively than any other product in the market.
According to WebMD.com, testing for herpes requires that a more extensive procedure be done. The common standard for testing herpes includes obtaining a culture, which then gets examined in the lab. And more recent developments have made specific blood type testing for herpes more helpful.
But even with testing, it's often said that although results for an individual return negative, it doesn't necessarily confirm that the person does not have the virus, which can stay dormant in one's system for periods of time.
According to herpes.org, the viral culture can be falsely negative for many reasons. The virus has to survive the trip to the laboratory. There are a number of things that could alter the survival of the culture. For example, if the sample became overheated, it could kill the virus and cause a false negative result.
If that isn't a discomforting fact, what is?
"I had no idea it was so difficult to diagnose herpes," said Danielle Cousineau, junior at UNLV. "With the medical technology that's progressed throughout recent years, it's just sad that there are still so many questions left unanswered and diseases without a cure."
Many of the signs of herpes are so mild that they go unnoticed and unrecognized.
There is even a myth that condoms, which protect against most forms of STDs, do not protect against herpes.
"The notion that condoms do not provide any protection at all is false," said Michelle Creed, Public Affairs Coordinator for Planned Parenthood of Southern Nevada.
Creed explained that this myth probably came from the fact that condoms do not offer complete protection when herpes sores are present because the sores may be on areas of the body not covered by the condom that shed the virus during an outbreak.
"But people who have had herpes can use condoms to reduce the risk of spreading it to their partners when they don't have symptoms," Creed said. "So thinking that it doesn't matter to wear one is very wrong and risky."
The bottom line remains that doing all a person can do is important, not only for his/her sake, but for the sake of current or future sexual partners.
Physicians recommend regular testing for STDs, especially for those sexually active with multiple partners. There are a number of places to get this done, including three Planned Parenthood valley locations.
"Planned Parenthood wants you to have a happy and healthy sex life," Creed said. "The key is to know the facts, understand your risks and take precautions."
And just because normal testing for STDs doesn't include herpes, it shouldn't discourage people from simply letting their physician know of their concern to get checked for it.
"Don't wait for your clinician to ask. Take charge, speak up and ask questions," Creed said.
Who wants to play a guessing game when it comes to their sexual health? No one does, and no one should have to.