Why are There So Many Cases of Genital Herpes in the Unites

Question

Why are there so many cases of genital herpes in the Unites States?
A) Condoms cannot prevent spread of genital herpes.
B) There are not effective treatments.
C) Lesions shed virus when asymptomatic.
D) Virus persists in the environment for many days.

Accepted Answer

One of the main reasons for the high prevalence of genital herpes in the United States is that the virus can be spread even when a person is asymptomatic. This means that someone may not even realize they have the infection and yet still pass it on to sexual partners. Lesions shed virus during asymptomatic periods and are a major factor in the transmission of the virus. While condoms can lower the risk, they do not provide complete protection against herpes. There are some antiviral medications available for treatment, but they are not a cure and do not prevent future outbreaks or transmission. Virus particles can persist in the environment for only a few hours, so this is not a significant factor in the spread of the disease.