Myths About Herpes
Aside from the virus, myths about herpes can be also contagious. False rumors can spread a lot. Though almost every individual understand that herpes is a common sexually transmitted disease, a lot of them do not know how they can protect themselves, how people get it, and what the herpes virus is.
Today, we are going to share with you a couple of common myths about herpes on lip and genitals.
Genital Herpes Can Be Spread Only Through Penetrative Sex
This isn’t true. You can transmit genital herpes through skin-to-skin contact. Genital herpes can be transmitted if a skin touches the genital area that is infected.
Aside from that, genital herpes can also be spread via oral sex if one person has cold sores. The reason for this is that cold sores are also considered as genital herpes because the virus belongs to the same family. If a person with cold sores provides oral sex, it can cause sores in the genital area.
A Complete STD Test Detects Genital Herpes
A complete STD test doesn’t regularly include a genital herpes test. Talking to a doctor whenever symptoms are present is the ideal way of making a diagnosis of this STD. They will obtain a specimen and analyze it in a lab.
Genital Herpes Can Cause Cervical Cancer
This isn’t true. Genital herpes isn’t linked with cervical cancer. However, another virus is associated with cervical cancer. It is the HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). It is also an STD that causes warts. To detect signs of cervical cancer early on, females should have routine cervical screening tests.
You Can’t Treat Genital Herpes
This is also not true. While you can’t cure genital herpes, it can be treated since it is a manageable virus. You can stop the virus from multiplying if you take antiviral tablets. You can also use it to lower the chance of spreading the STD to your partner, to avoid outbreaks from happening, and to shorten outbreaks.
Condoms Prevent Genital Herpes
This is partially true. Condoms can’t totally prevent genital herpes. However, it can lower the risk of spreading it. You still have to use a condom. However, the purpose shouldn’t be to get rid of the risk. The reason for this is that the condom might not cover every site where the virus is being transmitted. The condom might also break or might not stay in place during sex.
Only People with Active Sex Life Can Get Genital Herpes
We all know that genital herpes is an STD. You will improve your chance of getting it if you have an active sex life with a lot of sexual partners. But, even if you’ve got 1 or 2 sexual partners, you can still catch this virus.
Genital Herpes Isn’t Common
This is not true. Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. However, you should keep in mind that a lot of individuals with genital herpes don’t show symptoms or haven’t identified their symptoms as a sexually transmitted disease.
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