released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last
October, the prevalence of genital herpes has jumped 30% since the late
1970’s and its spread is fastest among teenagers. The CDC estimates that
45 million Americans, or roughly 1 out of 5 persons age 12 or older, are
infected with this incurable sexually transmitted disease (STD). Prevalence
among white teens has “quintupled” since the last national survey in the
late 1970’s, and doubled among those in their twenties.
seems to have been inadvertently pushed into the background because of
the enormous challenges AIDS and teenage pregnancy continue to pose for
educators and public health officials. Unfortunately, less discussion
and fewer resources applied toward the problem means less awareness among
teens about herpes and how they can protect themselves.
known as herpes simplex virus (HSV)-type 2) can be transmitted sexually
or through skin-to-skin contact with an infected individual. It is not
unusual for someone to be unaware he/she is infected with herpes since
the symptoms – periodic outbreaks of blisters and ulcers around and on
the genitals – are not always present. While treatments are available
to minimize the physical symptoms, once infected with HSV-2, an individual
is infected for life.
is the role that genital herpes plays in the spread of HIV in the United
States. The presence of HSV-2 increases susceptibility to HIV infection.
According to Andrea Petersen of the Wall Street Journal, people with genital
ulcers are 11 times more likely to acquire HIV than those without ulcers.
She goes on to describe how condoms are not as effective in reducing transmission
of herpes as they are in protecting against other STDs, including HIV.
This is mainly because condoms do not cover all areas where ulcers can
be present.
in the spread of HIV and its recently discovered epidemic scope among
teens, genital herpes has quickly been added to the list of specific prevention
activities the CDC is working on in collaboration with public health professionals
and the general public.
about genital herpes contact the National STD Hotline (800) 227-8922 or
the National Herpes Hotline (919) 361-8488.
Source: Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD and
TB Prevention. (1997). Update/ October 15: Genital Herpes.
Fleming, D.T.,
McQuillan, G.M., Johnson, R.E., Nahmias, A.J., Aral, S.O., Lee, F.K.,
& St. Louis, M.E. (1997). Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 in the United
States, 1976 to 1994. New England Journal of Medicine, 337 (16).
Petersen, A. (1997,
December 10). Overshadowed by AIDS, Herpes Spreads Alarmingly. The
Wall Street Journal, pp. B1, B10.