How normal is herpes?
Most people carry herpes
If you consider 90% of a population to be normal, then herpes simplex is normal. In the UK, around 78% of people carry herpes simplex type 1 (usually oral), and around 25% of the sexually active population carry type 2 (usually genital). In the USA, at least 68% carry type 1, and at least 26% of the population carry type 2. In many countries, like Italy, 93% of the population carries herpes. That means that almost everyone in Italy carries herpes. It makes you wonder why anyone would make a fuss about herpes. It’s unusual not to carry it!
Estimate based on Smith JS, Robinson NJ
Herpes is usually invisible
Most people with herpes have no symptoms. There’s no way to know if you’re carrying the virus or not, unless you have a very specific blood test, called an IgG. This test is not included in standard sexual-health screenings. Only a small number of people have symptoms. Just because you have symptoms of herpes it doesn’t mean that you’re more of a risk of transmitting it to anyone. The 90% of carriers without symptoms can transmit the virus too.
Figures vary by region. Source: Smith JS, Robinson NJ
Only 1 in 10 carriers know they have herpes
There is nothing unusual about herpes. The only unusual thing is knowing that you carry herpes. Only 1 in 10 carriers have any idea that they have been exposed to the virus, and can transmit it to others. Most people would never have a blood test for herpes.
In fact, herpes is so common that you’d be lucky to find a doctor that will do an IgG blood test for it. In the UK, the NHS will not perform a blood test for herpes. In the USA you may find a doctor who will do the test, but since it’s likely that you carry herpes, the test will most likely confirm that you are normal: you probably have herpes.
If herpes is so normal, then why all the fuss?
Back in the 1980s magazines like Time ran a series of scare stories about herpes. These magazines failed to emphasize how common herpes is. As a result, people got the idea that herpes was a rare and terrible sexually transmitted disease. In fact, it is most commonly transmitted by an innocent kiss between mother and child. However, many people don’t realise that they carry herpes, and assume that it is unusual. In fact, it is everywhere, but usually invisible.
Source: Smith JS, Robinson NJ
It used to be thought that there were two distinct kinds of herpes: oral herpes and genital herpes. However, around half of the new genital infections are caused by oral herpes transmitted through oral sex.
Most people carry herpes, but very few carriers realise it. It’s a shame that the headline “Herpes is relatively harmless” didn’t sell magazines quite as well.
Excellent site!
Finally, some great level-headed information on what is, for the most part, a harmless virus. Although complications can occur, given the number of actual hsv carriers, these complications are extremely rare. Just as it is rare for a benign cold to escalate into a serious pneumonia, these rare cases usually occur in people with compromised immune systems or, in the case of child-bearing, when the mother acquires hsv late in her pregnancy. The medical and research community should maintain its effort to search for a cure in order to prevent these rare but serious consequences.
For the rest: lighten up people; herpes is normal!
I think that this is an incredible site. It is very informative and it tells the truth about hsv. I like how it keeps you up to date on the latest research with the progress chart. I also like the fact that it addresses the fact that hsv is very common, just like the common cold.
[...] How normal is herpes? [...]
Great site, aggregates the latest research better than any other I’ve visited, keep up the good work!
Fantastic site lots of great information!! Keep up the awareness people need to know the truth.. good job. Love the up to date research information.
AMAZING WEBSITE !! Keep up the good work !! here’s hoping there will be a cure soon.
This site has really helped my state of mind and image of myself!
Come on guys stop appreciating…
Please start donating…
I will donate too soon.
Also if you have time put a video regarding this site on youtube.com
and put a tags herpes cure, herpes research, herpes donation etc…
My only message to the webmaster, editor of this site is
to rank this in google.com and yahoo.com so millions or billions of people around the world can see this and to make them donating
regarding the cure.
These viruses are ancient viruses and i can’t believe up to now these viruses exist and keep on infecting innocent people like me…
I’m a webmaster myself and easy ranking like putting titles like
“herpes cure, herpes resarch etc… ” can make it rank in search engines.
Thank you.
This is a very encouraging site.
As a recently diagnosed, I was coming to the conclusion that if so many people have it without knowing and it’s possible to transmit it assymptomatically, than what’s the point of talking about prevention like it’s going to make a difference? I assume most people get it from others who know about the virus, but don’t think they carry it. The only sure way not to get it or give it is to pretty much be a hermit.
It’s just nice not only finding someone else who thinks like I do, but finding an entire site about how we shouldn’t fret over the disease. And even though I still will and do worry about it, maybe this website will help change that.
Also, the site is well designed.
What a breath of fresh air!! I love this site, I don’t feel so alone anymore.!
we will find a cure!!
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