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CDC Fact Sheet
What is genital Herpes?
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Most genital herpes is caused by HSV-2. Most individuals have no or only minimal signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection. When signs do occur, they typically appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur. Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but it almost always is less severe and shorter than the first outbreak. Although the infection can stay in the body indefinitely, the number of outbreaks tends to decrease over a period of years.
How common is genital Herpes?
Results of a nationally representative study show that genital herpes infection is common in the United States. Nationwide, at least 45 million people ages 12 and older, or one out of five adolescents and adults, have had genital HSV infection. Between the late 1970s and the early 1990s, the number of Americans with genital herpes infection increased 30 percent.
Genital HSV-2 infection is more common in women (approximately one out of four women) than in men (almost one out of five). This may be due to male-to-female transmissions being more likely than female-to-male transmission.
How do people get genital Herpes?
HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be found in and released from the sores that the viruses cause, but they also are released between outbreaks from skin that does not appear to be broken or to have a sore. Generally, a person can only get HSV-2 infection during sexual contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2 infection. Transmission can occur from an infected partner who does not have a visible sore and may not know that he or she is infected. HSV-1 can cause genital herpes, but it more commonly causes infections of the mouth and lips, so-called "fever blisters."
HSV-1 infection of the genitals can be caused by oral-genital or genital-genital contact with a person who has HSV-1 infection. Genital HSV-1 outbreaks recur less regularly than genital HSV-2 outbreaks.
What are the signs and symptoms of genital Herpes?
Most people infected with HSV-2 are not aware of their infection. However, if signs and symptoms occur during the first outbreak, they can be quite pronounced. The first outbreak usually occurs within two weeks after the virus is transmitted, and the sores typically heal within two to four weeks. Other signs and symptoms during the primary episode may include a second crop of sores, and flu-like symptoms, including fever and swollen glands. However, most individuals with HSV-2 infection may never have sores, or they may have very mild signs that they do not even notice or that they mistake for insect bites or another skin condition.
Most people diagnosed with a first episode of genital herpes can expect to have several (typically four or five) outbreaks (symptomatic recurrences) within a year. Over time these recurrences usually decrease in frequency.
What are the complications of genital Herpes?
Genital herpes can cause recurrent painful genital sores in many adults, and herpes infection can be severe in people with suppressed immune systems. Regardless of severity of symptoms, genital herpes frequently causes psychological distress in people who know they are infected.
In addition, genital HSV can cause potentially fatal infections in babies. It is important that women avoid contracting herpes during pregnancy because a first episode during pregnancy causes a greater risk of transmission to the baby. If a woman has active genital herpes at delivery, a cesarean delivery is usually performed. Fortunately, infection of a baby from a woman with herpes infection is rare.
Herpes may play a role in the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Herpes can make people more susceptible to HIV infection, and it can make HIV-infected individuals more infectious.
How is genital Herpes diagnosed?
The signs and symptoms associated with HSV-2 can vary greatly. Health care providers can diagnose genital herpes by visual inspection if the outbreak is typical, and by taking a sample from the sore(s) and testing it in a laboratory. HSV infections can be difficult to diagnose between outbreaks. Blood tests, which detect HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection, may be helpful, although the results are not always clear-cut.
Is there a treatment for Herpes?
There is no treatment that can cure herpes, but antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the medication. In addition, daily suppressive therapy for symptomatic herpes can reduce transmission to partners.
How can herpes be prevented?
The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, including genital herpes, is to abstain from sexual contact, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is known to be uninfected.
Genital ulcer diseases can occur in both male and female genital areas that are covered or protected by a latex condom, as well as in areas that are not covered. Correct and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of genital herpes only when the infected area or site of potential exposure is protected. Since a condom may not cover all infected areas, even correct and consistent use of latex condoms cannot guarantee protection from genital herpes.
Persons with herpes should abstain from sexual activity with uninfected partners when lesions or other symptoms of herpes are present. It is important to know that even if a person does not have any symptoms he or she can still infect sex partners. Sex partners of infected persons should be advised that they may become infected. Sex partners can seek testing to determine if they are infected with HSV. A positive HSV-2 blood test most likely indicates a genital herpes infection.
Where can I get more information?
Main Topics of Past Issues of The Helper Include:
The Student Health Service subscribes to the quarterly journal the Helper, published by the American Social Health Association. It serves as a valuable tool in providing accurate medical information and emotional support for those affected by herpes. If you wish to see back issues of the Helper, please contact the Health Education Program of Student Health Service, 293-6584.
- What’s Old Is New Again (Spring 2004)
- “Can’t You Take a Joke?” – Facing Herpes Stigma …with a Smile (Winter 2003)
- Dismantling Stereotypes & Removing Barriers to Care (Fall 2003)
- Herpes Prevention 2003: Notes from an ASHA Summit (Summer 2003)
- Paving the Rocky Road of Patient Advocacy (Spring 2003)
- Vaccine Summit Links Advocates, Researchers, & Industry (Fall 2002)
- Finding the Positive in a Positive HSV Diagnosis (Summer 2002)
- Nat`l. Conf. Highlights HSV Research, Controversies (Spring 2002)
- Inside a Herpes Support Group: The Coordinator`s Perspective (Summer 2001)
- Stop the Spread Mission Unites Advocates, Researchers, Industry (Spring 2001)
- Update on Vaccines for Genital Herpes (Winter 2001) . Sorting Out the Emotional Issues (Fall 2000)
- Asymptomatic Cases Shed Virus, Can Transmit (Summer 2000) . Birthing Choices for Women with Herpes (Spring 2000)
- The Specifics on New Type-Specific Blood Tests (Winter 2000)
- Walking a Mile in Your Partner`s Shoes (Fall 1999)
- Herpes Hits Prime Time (Summer 1999)
- Enough is Enough: A Call to Action for Curbing the Herpes Epidemic (Spring 1999)
- Antivirals Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow (Winter 1998-99) . Alternative Therapies (Summer 1998)
- Surfing the Net (Spring 1998)
- Older Issues Available Upon Request
In addition to addressing your concerns with your personal clinician, you may find the following resources beneficial.
Individual Counseling:
Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services - WVU students only (293-4431)
Student Health Service, Mental Health Program - WVU students, faculty, and staff only (293-6584)
Local Support Group:
North Central W.V. HELP Group Facilitated by staff from the Carruth Center for Counseling Psychological Services and Student Health Service open to students and non-students. Call 293-7181, 293-4431, or 293-6584 for more information.
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HUMAN PAPILLOMA VIRUS (HPV)
CDC Fact Sheet
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that sometimes causes genital warts but in many cases infects people without causing noticeable symptoms. Concern about HPV has increased in recent years after studies showed that some types of HPV infection cause cervical cancer. HPV is likely the most common STD among young, sexually active people and is of increasing public health importance. At any one time, an estimated 20 million people in the United States have genital HPV infections that can be transmitted to others. Every year, about 5.5 million people acquire a genital HPV infection.
What is genital HPV infection?
Genital HPV infection is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Human papillomavirus is the name of a group of viruses that includes more than 100 different strains or types. More than 30 of these viruses are sexually transmitted, and they can infect the genital area of men and women including the skin of the penis, vulva (area outside the vagina), or anus, and the linings of the vagina, cervix, or rectum. Most people who become infected with HPV will not have any symptoms and will clear the infection on their own.
Some of these viruses are called "high-risk" types, and may cause abnormal Pap tests. They may also lead to cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, or penis. Others are called "low-risk" types, and they may cause mild Pap test abnormalities or genital warts. Genital warts are single or multiple growths or bumps that appear in the genital area, and sometimes are cauliflower shaped.
How common is HPV?
Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year.
How do people get genital HPV infections?
The types of HPV that infect the genital area are spread primarily through genital contact. Most HPV infections have no signs or symptoms; therefore, most infected persons are unaware they are infected, yet they can transmit the virus to a sex partner. Rarely, a pregnant woman can pass HPV to her baby during vaginal delivery. A baby that is exposed to HPV very rarely develops warts in the throat or voice box.
What are the signs and symptoms of genital HPV infection?
Most people who have a genital HPV infection do not know they are infected. The virus lives in the skin or mucous membranes and usually causes no symptoms. Some people get visible genital warts, or have pre-cancerous changes in the cervix, vulva, anus, or penis. Very rarely, HPV infection results in anal or genital cancers.
Genital warts usually appear as soft, moist, pink, or flesh-colored swellings, usually in the genital area. They can be raised or flat, single or multiple, small or large, and sometimes cauliflower shaped. They can appear on the vulva, in or around the vagina or anus, on the cervix, and on the penis, scrotum, groin, or thigh. After sexual contact with an infected person, warts may appear within weeks or months, or not at all.
Genital warts are diagnosed by visual inspection. Visible genital warts can be removed by medications the patient applies, or by treatments performed by a health care provider. Some individuals choose to forego treatment to see if the warts will disappear on their own. No treatment regimen for genital warts is better than another, and no one treatment regimen is ideal for all cases.
How is genital HPV infection diagnosed?
Most women are diagnosed with HPV on the basis of abnormal Pap tests. A Pap test is the primary cancer-screening tool for cervical cancer or pre-cancerous changes in the cervix, many of which are related to HPV. Also, a specific test is available to detect HPV DNA in women. The test may be used in women with mild Pap test abnormalities, or in women >30 years of age at the time of Pap testing. The results of HPV DNA testing can help health care providers decide if further tests or treatment are necessary.
No HPV tests are available for men.
Is there a cure for HPV?
There is no "cure" for HPV infection, although in most women the infection goes away on its own. The treatments provided are directed to the changes in the skin or mucous membrane caused by HPV infection, such as warts and pre-cancerous changes in the cervix.
What is the connection between HPV infection and cervical cancer?
All types of HPV can cause mild Pap test abnormalities which do not have serious consequences. Approximately 10 of the 30 identified genital HPV types can lead, in rare cases, to development of cervical cancer. Research has shown that for most women (90 percent), cervical HPV infection becomes undetectable within two years. Although only a small proportion of women have persistent infection, persistent infection with "high-risk" types of HPV is the main risk factor for cervical cancer.
A Pap test can detect pre-cancerous and cancerous cells on the cervix. Regular Pap testing and careful medical follow-up, with treatment if necessary, can help ensure that pre-cancerous changes in the cervix caused by HPV infection do not develop into life threatening cervical cancer. The Pap test used in U.S. cervical cancer screening programs is responsible for greatly reducing deaths from cervical cancer. For 2004, the American Cancer Society estimates that about 10,520 women will develop invasive cervical cancer and about 3,900 women will die from this disease. Most women who develop invasive cervical cancer have not had regular cervical cancer screening.
How can people reduce their risk for genital HPV infection?
The surest way to eliminate risk for genital HPV infection is to refrain from any genital contact with another individual.
For those who choose to be sexually active, a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner is the strategy most likely to prevent future genital HPV infections. However, it is difficult to determine whether a partner who has been sexually active in the past is currently infected.
For those choosing to be sexually active and who are not in long-term mutually monogamous relationships, reducing the number of sexual partners and choosing a partner less likely to be infected may reduce the risk of genital HPV infection. Partners less likely to be infected include those who have had no or few prior sex partners.
HPV infection can occur in both male and female genital areas that are covered or protected by a latex condom, as well as in areas that are not covered. While the effect of condoms in preventing HPV infection is unknown, condom use has been associated with a lower rate of cervical cancer, an HPV-associated disease.
Where can I get more information?
- Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
www.cdc.gov/std
Order Publications Online at
https://www2.cdc.gov/nchstp_od/piweb/stdorderform.asp
- STD information and referrals to STD Clinics
CDC-INFO
1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
In English, en Español
- CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN)
P.O. Box 6003
Rockville, MD 20849-6003
1-800-458-5231
1-888-282-7681 Fax
1-800-243-7012 TTY
www.cdcnpin.org
E-mail: info@cdcnpin.org
- American Social Health Association (ASHA)
P. O. Box 13827
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-3827
1-800-783-9877
http://www.ashastd.org/hpvccrc
- CDC National STD and AIDS Hotline
(800) 227-8922 or (800) 342-2437
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
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HPV News Main Topics of Past Issues Include:
The Student Health Service subscribes to the quarterly journal (now available as an online version only) HPV news, published by the American Social Health Association. It serves as a valuable tool in providing accurate medical information and emotional support for those affected by HPV and genital warts. If you wish to see back issues of HPV news, please ask your clinician or contact the Health Education Program at Student Health Service, 293-6584.
- Guidance Provided for Using HPV DNA Testing with PAP (March/April 2004)
- Teens are Asking About Sex and Relationships (January/February 2004)
- What’s New in the Area of HPV, Cervical Cancer Prevention, and Genital Warts (January/February 2004)
- Family Docs’ Knowledge about Cervical Cancer Risks (November/December 2003)
- Upon Delivery: New Info on HPV & JORRP (Summer 2003)
- At Long Last-Success! The Merck HPV-16 Vaccine & More (Spring 2003)
- Eradicating Genital Warts: How You Can Help (Winter 2002)
- Face to Face: On the Front Lines of Cervical Cancer Prevention (Fall 2002)
- Evidence-Based Guidelines Changing the Field of Pap Screening (Summer 2002)
- National Conference Promotes Greater Awareness of HPV Issues (Spring 2002)
- On the Horizon: Revisions in Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines (Winter 2001)
- A New Frontier for HPV Research (Fall 2001)
- Understanding an ASCUS Pap Result (Summer 2001)
- Top 10 HPV Questions Answered (Spring 2001)
- The Vaccine Marathon (Winter 2000)
- Pap Smears Today, Healthy Women Tomorrow (Fall 2000)
- What You Need to Know About Anal Cancer (Summer 2000)
- Do-It-Yourself Cervical Cancer Screening (Spring 2000)
- Healthy Choices, Healthy Lifestyle (Winter 1999)
- HPV Impact: Coping with Feelings, Looking for Facts (Summer 1999)
- HPV and JORRP (Juvenile Onset of Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis) (Spring 1999)
- Taking the Mystery Out of the Abnormal Pap Smear (Winter 1998)
- Men’s Health Update (Fall 1998)
- HPV: Who’s Got It and Why They Don’t Know (Summer 1998)
- HPV: Myths and Misconceptions (Spring 1998)
- Older Issues Available Upon Request
In addition to addressing your concerns with your personal clinician, you may find the following resources beneficial.
Individual Counseling:
Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services - WVU students (293-4431) Student Health Service, Mental Health Program - WVU students, faculty, and staff only (293-6584)
Local Support Group: North Central W.V. HPV Support Group Facilitated by staff from the WVU Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services and the Student Health Service. Open to University students and non-students. Call 293-7181, 293-4431, or 293-6584 for more information.
Summary
Even though we have focused on chronic STIs on this page, the above resources provide information on Chlamydia (The most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted disease in the United States, with an estimated 2.8 million Americans infected with chlamydia each year) and Gonorrhea (CDC estimates that more than 700,000 persons in the U.S. get new gonorrheal infections each year) and Trichomoniasis (Trichomoniasis is the most common curable STD in young, sexually active women. An estimated 7.4 million new cases occur each year in women and men) and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), among others.
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