The Associated Press reported last night that 1 in 4 New Yorkers have herpes. The TV interviews left us with lots of misperceptions.
As Dr. Ruth noted and predicted last week, and which I reported in my op-ed on Sunday, herpes is on the rise. A new report says that it is affecting 1 in 4 New Yorkers and as many as 1 in 6 nationwide. It is on the rise with women and in particular women over 51 according to a recent British study.
Herpes is an annoying and enigmatic disease. It is not curable. Even if you are taking valtrex (the drug of choice) it may prevent outbreaks, but not necessarily reduce the spread. In women it has been associated with cervical cancer — not the cause, but a “fellow traveler” related to the cause. There is an associated increased cancer risk among those who also have the human papilloma virus (HPV).
Interchangable: There are a number of different types of herpes infections, but the most common are the HSV -1 (generally associated with cold sores) and the HSV -2 (genital). However, the two forms are interchangable in location.
Researches at Dana Farber Cancer Institute have found that the physicians are seeing more HSV-1 in genital regioins and HSV-2 on the mouth depending upon a couple’s sexual practices.
The intial attack is the strongest. Usually cold sores or canchre sores or blisters appear. Other symptoms which seem to affect women may include burning during urination, fever and chills. You will show symptoms within 2 days to 2-3 weeks of exposure.
False-positives: You can be tested for the presence of herpes, but there are often false-positives especially if you do not test immediately during an initial outbreak.
Herpes lives in nerves that go to the skin. Stress can bring on an attack.
Prevention and honest are best — and while condoms are not 100% effective, they help. A person who knows that he or she is a carrier should be careful and honest. As of last year, only 36% were telling their partners well in advance and some 38% made up an excuse not to have sex when they had an outbreak. WebMD: Herpes Stigma.
The disturbing trend continues in particular about HPV. Take a look at Deception in Love and Sex.
For whatever the reason, a man who has herpes, will suffer. But women will have the more serious symptoms. Keep in mind that herpes is treatable but not curable. If you develop herpes you will have it the rest of your life. Knowing your sexual partner or more than just a casual basis may help you protect yourself from contracting herpes.
To read more about New York, ABC News, Herpes in NYC
Regarding the lying aspect — to borrow the title of from a Times book review, Permission to Lie to Yourself, sometimes women and men replay a story in their own heads so many times that it becomes real, even though it may not be so. It’s a protective mechanism. The only way to come to the truth is with time because eventually inconsistencies emerge. [If you read enough blogs, you will find that sometimes a person reveals too much as a way to mask that which they are hoping to hide — consciously or unconsciously. This is a different issue that we will address one day.]
The above is from New Choices, New Chances: A Woman’s Guide to Conquering Cancer by Watson and Wallach, MD.
Copyright 2008 Rita Watson