Herpes : The Disease Itself
Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex virus
Genital herpes infection is very common and on the increase in the United States. Nationwide 45 million people aged 12 and older (1 out of 5 of the total adolescent and adult population) are infected with HSV-2. It is more common in women (1 out of 4) than in men (1 out of 5) possibly because male to female transmission is more efficient than female to male transmission. The disease is more common in areas such as:
Genital herpes infection is very common and on the increase in the United States. Nationwide 45 million people aged 12 and older (1 out of 5 of the total adolescent and adult population) are infected with HSV-2. It is more common in women (1 out of 4) than in men (1 out of 5) possibly because male to female transmission is more efficient than female to male transmission. The disease is more common in areas such as:
- access to quality health care
- poverty
- living in communities with a high prevalence of STDs
- illicit drug use
