Here's a scary statistic to contemplate the next time you indulge in a little sport sex in New York: 25% of adults have herpes, and, among African-Americans, the percentage rises to almost 50%.

The sexually transmitted herpes simplex virus Type 2 is more prevalent in New York City, at 26 percent, than nationally, where 19 percent of adults, roughly one in five, are infected.

The toughest part about herpes (aside from the discomforts and pain of being infected, of course) is that it is one of the trickiest STDs to avoid getting. Unlike HIV, where infection requires some exposure to blood, and a condom generally eliminates risk, herpes can be transmitted in a variety of subtle ways. The biggest risk is when someone "sheds" without showing other symptoms (like sores). For this reason, you have to be with someone who is HONEST about their condition -- if they don't tell you, you may never know until you show symptoms yourself. Nor are condoms guaranteed to protect against infection, particularly since the virus can be transmitted during oral sex and other types of intimate contact.

I don't know or recommend the product they're selling, but this site has excellent advice on preventing herpes infections.

June 12, 2008 in Sexual Health | Permalink

Your Comments

I would like to point out that having herpes is just a part of being human. If you include *all* kinds of herpes (and there are several), not just genital herpes, then nearly everyone (I've heard 5 out of 6) is infected with at least one kind of it. Most people don't show symptoms, though. Genital herpes is only significant because it's one of a few varieties that are both somewhat preventable and can cause serious problems for people who do show symptoms.

Posted by: Nightfall at Jun 13, 2008 12:38:51 AM

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Sorry if I wasn't clear -- I was referring to genital herpes (only), not all types. And, yes, genital herpes has a raft of health implications for sufferers that go far beyond the intermittent occurrence of lesions.

Posted by: Gloria at Jun 13, 2008 12:09:48 PM

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