Health Information
Reducing the Risk Of Transmitting Herpes
Genital herpes is a common sexually
transmitted disease (STD) in the US. It is
caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1
(HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2). Most
genital
herpes are caused by HSV-2. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
estimates that at least 45 million people
age 12 and older have had a genital HSV
infection—that is
one out of every
five adolescents or adults.
It is estimated
that 1.6 million new cases of HSV-2
infection are acquired each year. HSV-2 is
almost always transmitted during sexual
contact with someone who has a genital HSV-2
infection. Most people know that herpes can
be transmitted when symptoms—such as sores,
blisters, cuts, pimples, bumps or a rash—are
visible. But, a person with genital herpes
can be contagious even without having
symptoms.
Several
antiviral medications are available to help
reduce the frequency of outbreaks of herpes
symptoms. Studies have found that daily
antiviral therapy also reduces the amount of
HSV that is shed on genital surfaces—the
primary source of infection transmission. A
study published in the January 1, 2004 issue
of the New
England Journal of Medicine examined
whether taking valacyclovir (Valtrex), an
antiviral drug, once daily could reduce the
risk of sexual transmission of genital
herpes.
About the study
The study
included 1,484 couples in heterosexual,
monogamous relationships. In each
couple, one partner (the source partner)
had clinically symptomatic genital
herpes; the other partner (the
susceptible partner) did not have
genital herpes but was susceptible to
contracting it. The source partners were
randomly assigned to receive either 500
milligrams (mg) of valacyclovir or
placebo once daily.
The partners
were screened once a month for eight
months. At each visit, safe sex
practices, including the use of condoms,
were discussed. The susceptible partners
kept diaries concerning the couple’s
sexual activity, condom use, and any
symptoms that could be related to
herpes. The diaries were reviewed at the
monthly visit. In addition, serum
samples were collected from susceptible
partners and analyzed for signs of HSV.
The primary
end point of the study was symptomatic
new genital herpes in the susceptible
partner.
The findings
At the end
of eight months, 41 susceptible partners
had contracted documented infections of
HSV-2. Of the 41, 20 cases were
associated with symptomatic new genital
herpes. The remaining 21 cases were seroconversion only, meaning that the
body had started to make antibodies
against the infection, but was not yet
displaying symptoms.
Of the 20
symptomatic cases:
- 16
(2.2%) occurred among the partners
of source partners taking placebo
- 4
(0.5%) occurred among the partners
of source partners taking
valacyclovir
- Of the
41 total cases of HSV:
- 27
(3.6%) occurred among the partners
of source partners taking placebo
- 14
(1.9%) occurred among the partners
of source partners taking
valacyclovir
This
translates into a significant (48%)
reduction in risk for the couples taking
valacyclovir once daily.
Interesting
to note, some factors that increased the
risk of transmission included:
- Female
sex of the susceptible partner
- Greater
number of sexual contacts
- Shorter
duration of genital herpes in the
source partner
How does this affect you?
Contracting
herpes will not kill you, but it cannot
be cured and is highly contagious. A
person with herpes may feel isolated and
undesirable and worry if a successful
monogamous relationship is possible with
an STD. Studies have found that people
with genital herpes and their sexual
partners consider the transmission of HSV a major concern.
Herpes dating is the best
way to meet people living with herpes
which is why we recommend Love, H
Style.
The results
of this study can give hope to people
with genital herpes—the risk of
transmission was lower in people taking
once-daily valacyclovir. However, the
authors caution that although their
study results show that antiviral
medication can reduce the risk of HSV-2
transmission, it cannot eliminate it. It
is still important to reveal the
presence of genital herpes to a
susceptible partner and to practice safe
sex.
RESOURCES:
American Social Health Association
www.ashastd.org
Valtrex (valacyclovir)
www.valtrex.com
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC)
www.cdc.gov
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