Study: One-In-Six Americans Has Genital Herpes

By Jessica Alpert (@jessprk)
Apr 26, 2011, 3:40 PM
12 Comments

A new, landmark study finds that one in six Americans already has genital herpes. One in six.

And with the whole six degrees of separation thing… yeah, you know what that means: you probably know someone who has herpes. And another thing, 80 percent of people don’t know they have it.

“You can have lesions or not, you can have symptoms or not,” Dr. Lydia Shrier, an adolescent medicine specialist at Children’s Hospital Boston, told CommonHealth’s Carey Goldberg. “You should basically be operating the same way, which is to assume that everyone has herpes.”

We get the latest on the new, scary study.

Guest:

Carey Goldberg, co-host of WBUR’s CommonHealth blog
Dr. Lydia Shrier, adolescent medicine specialist, Children’s Hospital

More:

CommonHealth: Why you should assume everyone has herpes

Other stories from this show:

Dh001g

No discussion of Oral Sex? Doesn’t that have a lot to do with the spread of this disease? I would have liked to hear how that fit in. I think a lot of people consider it “safe sex” and I think it turns out it isn’t. Still thanks for talking about this on NPR.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WXF5XE5EIM522ZILW4VJO7AG3E Jesse James

Genital herpes can be more difficult to diagnose than oral herpes since most HSV-2-infected persons have no classical symptoms.Each year, about 23.6 million people ages 15 to 49 get the disease. In the United States, only 10 percent to 25 percent of those with the virus are aware they have it.and at the same time,there are many STD dating website appeared, STDfish.com, is one of them,its said that have more than 600000 active memebers.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_BDDGURMQ2O3TOCNQVSXWBCDEJU Rose Black

I think I heard that One-In-Six Americans Has Genital Herpes before,it’s at SingleHerpes,com Really a nice site,I find my soulmate and learned a lot from there.

fighter_sun

I see that before,so I think it’s nice

Anonymous

70 million are afflicted with STD in the US alone and an estimated over 400 million worldwide. There is an exclusive community HerpesSupport–net for singles and friends with STD. If you just need to find someone to talk to or need help or advice
Nancy909096

To all of us who are positive stay strong and don’t let anyone put you down, life is not a rehearsal it is here and now so live the best way you can. Check out Pozlover.com, You can know many inspirational story here!You are not alone.
http://profiles.google.com/sandra198802 sandra smith

I myself have had genital herpes for almost 2 years now. Once I broke up with the person I got it from, I felt like I had to navigate the waters all by myself.I have to say that http://www.herpespal.com has been a blessing, its great being able to talk to other people in the same situation. I personally have found peace and happiness. If you haven’t, you will. Ignoranceand denial is not the solution. Be informed… Learn the truth… Here. Which has more than 680000 memebers according some news and it have provided many services such as chatting,blogs,test center,forum etc. I am still glad that I had the opportunity to confirm that having Herpes doesn’t have to be a limitation.
iris

Dating may sound like a depressing chore When you have herpes. You may be afraid that you will frighten a possible partner away whenever you tell them you’ve herpes. But having herpes is not the end of the world. I found my boyfriend and many good friends on http://www. herpespeople.com, a dating site for people living with herpes. Good luck to you all!
Sandra198802

I myself have had genital herpes for almost 2 years now. Once I broke up with the person I got it from, I felt like I had to navigate the waters all by myself.I have to say that http://www.herpespal.com has been a blessing, its great being able to talk to other people in the same situation. I personally have found peace and happiness. If you haven’t, you will. Ignoranceand denial is not the solution. Be informed… Learn the truth… Here. Which has more than 680000 memebers according some news and it have provided many services such as chatting,blogs,test center,forum etc. I am still glad that I had the opportunity to confirm that having Herpes doesn’t have to be a limitation.
http://www.positivemate.com Sarah std

Welcome to STDdatings.com, the largest, most active and trusted STD dating site for positive singles with STDs. We have been a leader in STD dating personals for over ten years.

Express Yourself – Create your own profiles for free
A Safe Environment – Only registered members are allowed to access our site
Protect Your Privacy – Hide profile from women / men or members with other types of STDs
Largest Member Database – 600,000+ singles with STDs
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Ask Live STD Counselor / Expert – Get answer in minutes
Successful STD Dating Advice – Learn from other members’ personal experience
STD Treatment Stories – Shared by other members who are in the same situation
http://profiles.google.com/sandra198802 sandra smith

I myself have had genital herpes for almost 2 years now. Once I broke up with the person I got it from, I felt like I had to navigate the waters all by myself.I have to say that http://www.herpespal.com has been a blessing, its great being able to talk to other people in the same situation. I personally have found peace and happiness. If you haven’t, you will. Ignoranceand denial is not the solution. Be informed… Learn the truth… Here. Which has more than 680000 memebers according some news and it have provided many services such as chatting,blogs,test center,forum etc. I am still glad that I had the opportunity to confirm that having Herpes doesn’t have to be a limitation.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_FYM3KCIHKU4XYQLTCCOKMUDJIM Lisa Smith

When you have Herpes (HSV-1, HSV-2), HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), HIV/AIDS, or any other STDs, it can make you feel like you are all alone in the world. Do you wish there was a place where you didn’t have to worry about being rejected or discriminated?

HerpesandDating.org is a warm-hearted and exclusive community for singles and friends with herpes , HPV,HIV/AIDS or any other STDs. Here you can get on with your life and meet new friends, partners or potential spouses, or learn about STD medical information. If you just need to find someone to talk to or offer help or advice, this is the best place.Never feel lonely again!

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Study: One-In-Six Americans Has Genital Herpes