Herpes' World Tour continues, spreading genital misery everywhere, especially among women, according to the first calculation of the size of the global epidemic.

More than 500 million people are infected with the herpes virus, and upwards of 20 million more get infected each year. The virus, Herpes simplex type 2, is spread through sexual contact, causing infections that last a lifetime. The classic symptoms are painful ulcerations, but most people have milder symptoms and many don't realize that they're infected. Anyone who's infected with the virus can pass it along to someone else.

So far, approximately 16% of the world's 15- to 19-year-olds are infected, according to the study in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization. The highest prevalence is in Africa, where up to 70% of women carry the virus. Painful sores aren't the only reason to worry about Herpes, says George Schmid, director of WHO's department of HIV/AIDS. Women infected with herpes are more likely to transmit the virus to their infants during birth, which can cause brain damage or death. They are also more likely to get HIV.

Infection is common in the USA as well, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 45 million people nationwide over the age of 12 are infected -- or one of five adolescents and adults.

-- By Steve Sternberg, USA TODAY

Well, there go my plans for the weekend...


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[Edited 10/2/08 13:48pm]

Celibacy is looking better every day.

RenHoek said:

Fool!

sextonseven said:

No kidding.

Sometimes I am amazed that I have been able to escape getting a std. It better stay that way!

So is obesity. Talk about an interesting dating scene.

Graycap23 said:

there's a commercial out about this and it said the same thing.. 1 in 5 adults in the US has it

Would u kick someone's ass if they gave this 2 u?

Graycap23 said:

damn. that would be really hard. i'd have to think about that if it happened. probably not, since it is simply an organic function. unless... if he knowingly, deliberately (and without notifying me of his condition) infected me, well, that is kind of like assault.

propaganda for the pharmaceutical companies

Graycap23 said:

My initial answer is "Hell to tha, YES!" But ultimately I'm responsible for keeping myself disease free and if I choose to go without a condom and expose myself to these nasty muthafuckas who's really at fault???

SCNDLS said:

It's a personal responsibility issue but u have some people out here who just don't give a crap. I'm always fasinated by people who use condoms but turn around and give oral sex with out one. I don't get that.

women can pass it on to their babies during birth

Graycap23 said:

That happens???

SCNDLS said:

Does that make sense 2 u?

XxAxX said:

... some folks do that out of spite... this reminds me of that video posted in P&R.. some dude on youtube put up a video saying he deliberately gave girls HIV out of spite... he was mad at all women and said what they have done to him, he was doing it back to them..

Genital Herpes, Cold Sores, Shingles, Canker Sores, and Chicken Pox are all the same thing.

Graycap23 said:

Why?

And yes, to have oral sex puts you at risk of catching all kinds of crap, its just the same thing as riding raw.
[Edited 10/2/08 14:27pm]

u would think there would be a vaccination for this by now! like Chris Rock said "doctors don't cure shit anymore! they haven't cured anything since polio"

magnificentsynthesizer said:

i think by now they got the ultimate cure that fends off everything and works with your body. but that wouldnt be too profitable.

horatio said:

exactly!

magnificentsynthesizer said:

They probably won't ever find a cure for it, its a virus just like the common cold is, and virus's are near on impossible to cure.

Roses are red
Violets are blue
I got the herps
Now so do you!

Graycap23 said:

Actually I was being facetious, but you're absolutely right, it kinda defeats the purpose of using condoms.

iceblue07 said:

but it only appears when ones immune system is weakened/suppressed by something such as the common cold, hence cold sores. Or ingesting food/chemicals that one is allergic too, stress. So i would say the key is likely to eliminate those things that weaken/suppress ones immune system.
[Edited 10/2/08 14:42pm]

SCNDLS said:

Not if the purpose is to prevent pregnancy.

Imago said:

sort of like your avatar..

A LARGE number of herpes 2 infected, never suffer any signs at all, but still have it and can pass it along (just through healthy skin, no blisters). The only way you know is if you get tested (and the accurate tests are fairly new!)

In other words, if you haven't ever gotten a herpes test, then you could have it, and you might never know.

ufoclub said:

I don't!

Let's make out!

just like with HPV, a condom isn't going to protect you from herpes.