Australian Herpes Management Forum

News: It's out of sight, but not out of fashion. 1 in 6 Australian women carry the genital herpes virus

*

Women are at higher risk of contracting the virus that causes genital herpes according to an ongoing online survey by the Australian Herpes Management Forum (AHMF), Australia’s leading independent herpes information and support organisation.

On the other hand, men are more likely than women to sleep with someone they know to be carrying the genital herpes virus, the survey found. Over 2300 people completed the survey between October 2006 and June 2007.

“The online survey shows genital herpes is out of sight, but it’s not out of fashion as its incidence is not decreasing. We need to ensure Australian women and men are fully informed so they can recognise the symptoms of genital herpes, see to it that they receive the appropriate treatment and talk about it openly and honestly with people close to them,” said Professor Adrian Mindel, Professor of Sexual Health Medicine, University of Sydney and Director of the Sexually Transmitted Infections Research Centre, Westmead Hospital.

“It’s very important people understand that genital herpes can be managed, and people with the virus lead fulfilling lives, including in their personal and sexual relationships. There are treatments available today that are able to reduce the risk of passing genital herpes on to sexual partners and there are organisations such as the AHMF that provide information and resources for people living with the virus.”

A free online risk assessment is available at www.ahmf.com.au allowing people to find out if they are at risk of carrying the virus by answering questions regarding sexual behaviour and condom usage as well as demographic information. Early results of the survey indicated that 36 per cent were classified as high risk, 46 per cent as medium risk and 18 per cent as low risk.

“An Australian sero-prevalence study found that around 16 per cent of women and 8 per cent of men over the age of 25 were positive for HSV-2, the virus that causes genital herpes,” said Professor Mindel.

“Genital herpes is a common virus that can be managed with the right information and treatment.”

Often, the psychological and emotional implications of a positive genital herpes diagnosis can be far worse than the virus itself, as Sydney woman Fiona* found.

Case study

Sydney-based Fiona has lived with genital herpes for the past two and a half years. Diagnosed in January 2005, Fiona, in her 20s, initially experienced regular outbreaks, but after a period on suppressive therapy, she has found the best way to manage the virus is by eating well, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep.

“I’m pretty sure I got HSV-2, or genital herpes, from a guy I had been seeing for a little while, but you can never be sure because it could have been lying dormant in my system for years. The initial outbreak was the worst, but the outbreaks became less severe with time as your body learns to fight the virus,” said Fiona.

“I’ve been very open with my family and friends about having herpes, and they have all been very accepting.”

Fiona says the initial diagnosis was the hardest part, dealing with all the facts regarding the physical impact of the virus, but she felt that she needed more information and help with the emotional impact of her diagnosis.

“After a few months I realised I wasn’t very well informed, so I visited a sexual health clinic, which is something I would recommend to anyone, whether they have an STI or only think they have one. I came away armed with accurate information and an onsite social worker talked to me about how to communicate with people I may date.”

Fiona attends monthly support group meetings for people living with herpes.

“People should understand that herpes doesn’t change the person you are. Living with herpes has made me place more value on genuine relationships. I am open about having herpes and my loyal friends and family have supported me - that’s what matters.”

* Fiona requested her surname not be released.

Genital Herpes – How do I know and what should I do?

• Warning signs: The first sign that you may have contracted genital herpes is often a tingling feeling in the skin and an area of reddening or pains in the legs.
• At the time of the first outbreak, some people may experience general flu-like symptoms such as fever, muscle pain/ tiredness, as well as swollen, tender glands in the groin.
• A slight swelling may develop and then fluid-filled blisters which can look like small pimples appear. These are sometimes very painful especially if exposed to water or urine.
• During the second stage of an outbreak, the blisters will burst to form ulcers before crusting over.
• The lesions are often painful for an average of nine days and take two to three weeks to heal.

Taking action

If you experience any of the symptoms described above, you should immediately make an appointment with a doctor or sexual health practitioner. Don’t be shy in discussing your symptoms with a professional.

A swab will probably be taken to confirm the diagnosis and although genital herpes is not curable, in the event that you have contracted the virus, medication can be prescribed to prevent further outbreaks and further spread of the virus.

About AHMF

The Australian Herpes Management Forum (AHMF) is Australia’s leading independent organisation providing evidence-based information to health professionals and the general public about herpes viruses.

Based at the Sexually Transmitted Infections Research Centre at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital, the AHMF operates solely by grants, sponsors and donations. To make a donation and access to accurate, up-to-date information, education and support, visit ../ahmf/donations.htm.

For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact: Carla Bridge or Angela Cross, Mango Communications 02 8260 2861 / 02 8260 2846 0412 727 774 / 0412 92 93 97 ahmf@mangocommunications.com.au

National Herpes Awareness Day is on Saturday October 13th and is a national AHMF initiative with the aim of generating awareness and reducing the stigma associated with genital herpes. The event is supported by a mainstream and medical media advertising campaign, information provided to the medical community, including GPs, sexual health specialists and allied health professionals and other awareness raising activities.

15 Sep 2007