Myths About Genital Herpes

By: K. R. Price

Break Studios Contributing Writer

Looking for the truth regarding myths about genital herpes? Misconceptions and myths often surround genital herpes, which often leads those suffering with the virus to feel shameful or helpless about their commonly misunderstood condition. Genital herpes is a common virus, and it's not a death sentence, nor does it pose a reason to become fearful if you know someone who has the disease. Learning about the myths surrounding genital herpes can help educate and improve the understanding of how to prevent further spreading of the disease and how to live with it if you have contracted it.

Herpes is a widespread sexually transmitted disease (STD). Genital herpes may be caused by two types of herpes simplex, type one and type two, HSV1 or HSV2 respectively. The type one simplex is perhaps the most common form, which leads to “cold sores” near the oral cavity. Simplex type one is so common that over three-quarters of the population has come into contact with this form of the herpes virus at least once. However, type one may be translated to the genital area via oral/genital sex, which makes up for about one-third of genital herpes. Nearly a quarter of people who contract genital herpes developed the disease from type two.

Unlike what is usually stated, a person with herpes is not infectious at all times. The virus is sporadically not outwardly present on the skin when symptoms are absent. However, the majority of the time when someone does not have symptoms, they actually are not infectious.

Contrary to what many people believe, the majority of those who have herpes will not exhibit any symptoms. Consequently, they will often have no idea they have genital herpes. Another popular myth is that herpes may be contracted by simply living with someone who has the disease. The herpes virus is only spread through skin to skin contact, not from sharing communal facilities such as the same showers, toilets and swimming pools. The virus dies when it leaves living skin cells, so it is perfectly fine for someone with genital herpes to share a household with others without any fears of passing on the infection.

Additionally, herpes cannot be passed through the blood; the herpes virus is not present in the blood, it only lives in skin cells. Therefore, people who contract the disease may still donate blood.

Lastly, having genital herpes and the possibility of pregnancy and delivering a health baby is another commonly misunderstood aspect of the virus. Herpes has no effect on the fertility of men or women, and women who have genital herpes may have ordinary pregnancies as well as vaginal deliveries. Although on some rare occasions genital herpes may be passed on to babies, this is an extremely rare occurrence which is usually linked to the mother contracting the genital herpes virus in the last trimester of pregnancy.

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