About: Herpes Facts | The Herpes Opportunity: Authenticity, Connection, Relationship

If every American 14-49 years old with genital herpes were to link up by holding hands, how far would this chain of people reach?

Over 25 million Americans have genital herpes
- If you do the math at 16.2% of Americans ages 14 to 49 having herpes (CDC) and multiply that by how many people are in the US (around 311 million according to the latest US census, of which 49.2% are ages 14-49), the number of Americans with genital herpes is around 25 million. There are 776,000+ new herpes cases yearly (2,000+ daily).

Genital herpes (HSV2) prevalance varies with sex and race
- HSV-2 prevalence is nearly twice as high among women (20.9%) than men (11.5%), and is more than three times higher among blacks (39.2%) than whites (12.3%). The most affected group is black women, with a prevalence rate of 48%.

CDC estimates that over 80% of those with HSV2 (genital herpes) don't know they have it.

There are two forms of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). Oral herpes (cold sores, HSV1) and genital herpes (HSV2).
- 80% of Americans have the oral version of herpes, which doesn't carry the stigma of genital herpes

Herpes can only be transmitted via direct contact in a warm and moist environment (mostly on genitals and/or mouth)
- Herpes is transmitted only when the contagious area of the skin comes in direct contact with the mucous membrane or crack in the surface of the skin.

What are the symptoms of genital herpes?
- For some, a cluster of blisters forms on the genitals; others may never get any physical symptoms but could still be at risk of passing the virus on. Some people claim to feel a "tingling" on the genitals before a herpes occurrence that signals that the virus is preparing to surface. Some feel a tingling in their calf, thigh, buttocks or lower back regions because the virus uses the nerve ganglia as its method of travel from the base of the spine (where it hibernates) to the skin.

How can genital herpes be spread?
- Herpes can only be spread when the contagious area comes into direct skin-to-skin contact with a mucous membrane or a break in the skin. In many instances, the location of the occurrences will stay in the same area time after time, so if that location is covered by a condom, the chances of spreading the virus are much less. However, some people's herpes locations are in areas that a condom cannot cover.

Can I spread herpes even when I'm not having a herpes occurrence?
- Physical signs of herpes don't have to be present in order for to pass the virus to your partner. This is known as "viral shedding," when the virus is silently active, which occurs a small percentage of the time. You can never know for sure when shedding is occurring, although some claim they get the same tingling sensations as a normal occurrence.

I'm not really sure if I have herpes. How can I know for sure?
- There is a definitive test called the IgG that looks for antibodies in the blood that would be present to specifically combat the herpes virus. This test can tell you which type of herpes you have, whether HSV1 or HSV2 (either can show up on either the lips or genitals, but 1 prefers oral and 2 prefers genitals).
I'm feeling really alone. What can I do?
- Talk to someone who loves you, who you feel safe with. Or visit a local support group (to find a herpes support group near you, click here). If you aren't ready yet to go to a live group, the herpes opportunity weekend might be a good next step for you.
Where are other trusted places to get information about herpes?
- Call either of these free hotlines to speak with a live knowledgeable operator (Herpes Opportunity isn't connected with any):
  (919) 361-8488 (M-F, 9a-7p EST)
  (206) 344-2539 (MWF 6:30-9p EST)
- Planned Parenthood's herpes page
- ASHA Herpes Resource Center
- WebMD herpes page
- CDC: Genital Herpes Fact Sheet
- New York Times Health Guide: Genital Herpes

Myth: "I just had my first genital herpes occurrence. I've been faithful to my partner. My partner must have cheated on me."
- Truth: There is no way to know for sure. Herpes can lie dormant for any amount of time and can be passed to others whether or not the person ever has an occurrence of herpes.

Myth (women): "Now I can't have children."
- Truth: The only possibility of passing herpes to your baby is if herpes is physically present on your genitals during childbirth. If that happens to occur, you can have a Caesarean section. Since herpes is transmitted through the skin and not through the blood, your baby will be herpes-free if it doesn't come into contact with the infected area of the skin.

Myth: "My sex life is over."
- Truth: Your sex life as you have known it will change, yes. But don't assume it will change for the worse. Having herpes might just change your perception of sex and intimacy for the better if you're open to it, even if your partner doesn't have herpes. Read an article on this »

Myth: A cure for herpes is right around the corner.
- Truth: There have been many seemingly promising cures and vaccines touted over the years, but none (so far) have come close to passing our stringent medical testing procedures. So, putting your life on hold until a cure is found might just be wasting valuable time for you to live right now. Read an article on this »

Do the math! (from top)

Fact: 16.2% of Americans 14-49 years old have genital herpes (via CDC)

Fact: There are 311 million Americans per 2010 census (via US Census)

Fact: Americans 14-49 based on 2009 estimates is 49.2% of the population (via US Census)

16.2% x 311,000,000 x 49.2% = 24,787,944 Americans have genital herpes

Fact: Circumference of the earth = 131,479,714 feet (via yahoo answers)

Fact: Average height is 5.5' (avg. male is 5'9"; avg. female 5'4" via about.com)

Fact: Armspan is about equal to height give or take 2" (via answers.com)

131,479,714 feet / 5.5 feet per person = 23,905,403 humans holding hands to wrap around the circumference of the world once

Therefore:

24,787,944 Americans with genital herpes

divided by 23,905,403 humans holding hands to wrap around the circumference of the world once

= 1.04 times around the world