As your immune system thumbs through its little black book of past relationships with various viruses and ailments, one name stands boldly alone, crossed out and rewritten countless numbers of times -- genital herpes, otherwise known as HSV-2. In the world of STDs, genital herpes takes on the role of the ex-boyfriend who relentlessly continues to pop up into your life despite your efforts to keep your autonomy. Recent studies, though, are showing that HSV-2 is forming an unhealthy romance with another antagonistic partner: HIV. Individuals who test positive for genital herpes are now twice as likely to contract HIV.
For the past few years, acyclovir, the HSV-2 antiviral pill, has worked effectively as a restraining order preventing and reducing recurrent herpes outbreaks. An experiment called the Link Study is in the works to see if acyclovir can stand up to HIV as well.
The Link Study, launched in 2003 by the HIV Prevention Trials Network's University of Washington site, is studying men who have sex with men in various corners of the world who are HSV-2 positive but HIV-negative. For 18 months, half these individuals are given two doses of acyclovir per day, while the other half are given a placebo disguised to look like acyclovir. Researchers hope to see if suppressing HSV-2 by taking acyclovir will reduce the transmission of HIV.
For most people, the thought of having genital herpes might seem a preposterous notion. Common reactions to the idea are, "I always use a condom," or "I've never had any sores, therefore I don't have herpes" or even "I'm a top, I can't get herpes."
Unfortunately, the merit behind these statements will not earn you a badge when it comes to herpes prevention.
"Condoms are only 50 percent effective in stopping genital herpes transmission. The virus is spread by skin-to-skin contact from any region that boxer shorts normally cover, thus resulting in the high number of people contracting herpes each year," says George Froehle, community educator for the HIV Prevention Trials Unit in Seattle.
In the United States alone, that means 500,000 new cases of herpes transmission per year, according to herpes.com, a herpes awareness site. Already, more than 50 million Americans, or 20 percent of the adult population, have contracted genital herpes; among the gay community, the number rises to 40 percent.
Froehle stresses the importance of getting checked for HSV-2 by saying, "80 percent of people with genital herpes do not know they have it. Many people do not have symptoms and don't think to get checked."
In those who don't develop symptoms, such as sores on the genital mucosa, HSV-2 quietly lives in the base of the spinal cord. Though silent, the virus is far from dormant and can easily be transmitted through tactile contact with the genital areas.
HIV is far more difficult to contract than HSV-2, but because of the biology of the two viruses, they are able to complement each other to facilitate transmission.
With an open herpes sore on your penis, contracting HIV is an obvious danger for both tops and bottoms. Without a noticeable sore, the danger is still there -- just not as apparent -- and does not discriminate as to one's preferred sexual role or position.
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To talk without thinking is to shoot without aiming.
I use to think that if you had an incurable STD, that you should be branded. Something along the lines of a tattoo on the forehead.
Now that I know that I am HIV+, I still think people should be branded. I know I am not spreading it, but others do so maliciously. I am now in favor of a less obvious method of branding, a tattoo on right about the sexual organ in the bush, so it can be seen if looked for, but not an advertisement.
Individuals who test positive for genital herpes are now twice as likely to contract HIV.
the reason for this is if you are open and risk getting one form of infection it is easier to get the othr. some (not most) of people that get a STD also get infected with HIV.
HIV is a hard disease to get unless you play in the high risk areas. such as ..
unprotected sex
drug use, esp needles
mother to child, untreated (or unknown) also breast milk
having sex with people that youknow have the virus.
yes USA there are the ones out there that know and do nothing to prevent the spread, and we have honorable ones like yourself that know AND take precautions.
I use to think that if you had an incurable STD, that you should be branded. Something along the lines of a tattoo on the forehead. Now that I know that I am HIV+, I still think people should be branded. I know I am not spreading it, but others do so maliciously. I am now in favor of a less obvious method of branding, a tattoo on right about the sexual organ in the bush, so it can be seen if looked for, but not an advertisement. Call me Hitler if you must, I prefer victim.
Sorry to hear that. I feel bad for people who get those diseases. TG you are one of the ones who don't blame everyone else and spread it around. This past December we had an incident that was a bit scary. We had our Christmas party at my old job and this one CO worker brought theses people with her no big deal... One of the ladies cut herself at the party on accident people were rushing to help her ..the girl who brought them took me aside and whispered in my ear she has AIDS should I tell them... I was so pissed off at the girl for A letting people help her without any knowledge B not saying wait get gloves I have aides. That really upset me there were kids there and everything. I have no problem with people who have aides but if you are cut and bleeding and my daughter is around then I become cautious. I know the people should have put loves on but when someone is hurt you dont think about that. I was in a little shock because this women has had the virus for a few yrs and she has a 12 mnth old baby who gets tested alot the baby is negative but im sorry WTF why risk it why have a child and risk that baby to be infected? grrr anyhow I do not hate the women in anyway shape or form but I am pissed that she put other people at risk. As for my ex Co worker needless to say she is afraid of me after i went off on her. anyhow yeah sorry i rambled ... Those type of people annoy me but USA you are a good person and dont blame or put others at risk hats off to you.
Silly Blondes Brains are for Brunettes
