Black women have the highest rate of genital herpes infections in the nation at a time when about 16 percent of Americans between the ages of 14 and 49 have contracted the viral disease, new statistics show.

Overall, women are nearly twice as likely as men to be infected with genital herpes, one of the most commonly sexually transmitted diseases in the U.S., according to Reuters, citing recently released statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About 21 percent of women are infected with genital herpes, compared with 11.5 percent of men, the statistics show. And 39 percent of blacks are infected, compared with an estimated 12 percent of whites.

Dr. John Douglas of the CDC said the increased rate of infection in blacks is unlikely due to risky behavior but biological factors that make women more susceptible to the disease as well as the higher rate of infection within the black community.

Genital herpes (herpes simplex virus type 2) has no cure, but several drugs are available to treat symptoms and outbreaks. The disease is related to herpes simplex virus 1, or oral herpes, which causes cold sores. An estimated 80 percent of people with genital herpes do not know they are infected, according to the CDC.

What are the signs and symptoms of genital herpes?
Most people infected with herpes simplex virus 2 (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 never have sores, or they have very mild signs of the condition.

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. It is possible that a person becomes aware of the "first episode" years after the infection is acquired.

What are the complications of 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 lead to potentially fatal infections in babies. It is important that women avoid contracting herpes during pregnancy because a newly acquired infection during late pregnancy poses 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 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.
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 and they should use condoms to reduce the risk. 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.

More Information
CDC-INFO Contact Center
1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
Email: cdcinfo@cdc.gov

National Herpes Hotline
(919) 361-8488

Herpes Resource Center