11 Herpes Myths Debunked!

MYTH # 1: If you are in a long-term relationship and just found out that you have genital herpes, that means your partner was unfaithful.
A partner's genital herpes diagnosis does not necessarily mean they cheated. Many people who have genital herpes have mild symptoms or sometimes no symptoms at all. It's possible that one of you caught genital herpes a long time ago or your partner may have genital herpes and not know.

MYTH # 2: A genital herpes diagnosis means your sex life is over.
While condoms should ALWAYS be used during sex, you can still have a normal sex life after you contract genital herpes. However, sex should be avoided when you are experiencing an outbreak (when sores, symptoms are present). Many people refrain from sex during outbreaks because it
may be uncomfortable during these times. Even if sores aren't visible, you can still pass the virus to a partner; so condom use is ALWAYS recommended. Condoms have been shown to reduce transmission, but they are not a guarantee.

MYTH #3: You can get genital herpes from toilet seats.
Genital herpes is a very weak virus and it cannot survive when it is exposed to air.

MYTH # 4: If you just have oral sex, there's no chance of getting genital herpes.
Recently, there has been an upsurge in the cases of type 1 genital herpes -- caused by unprotected oral sex. A cold sore on your partner can be genital herpes on you. To reduce chances of contracting type-1 genital herpes, use condoms during oral sex.

MYTH # 5: Genital herpes can cause you to become sterile.
While some STDs do cause sterility, genital herpes does not cause a person to become sterile.

MYTH # 6: Only people who sleep around a lot get genital herpes.
Genital herpes is very common. So even if you've had a few sexual partners, you could contract it.

MYTH # 7: No one will accept me if they know I have genital herpes.
Many people who tell their partners and friends about their diagnosis report positive responses. By becoming knowledgeable about genital herpes and how it will (or will not) affect your life, and the life of your partner(s) is the best way to become comfortable with your diagnosis and with discussing it with others.

MYTH # 8: If you have a PAP smear, you don't need to be tested for genital herpes.
PAP smears are not a substitute for a genital herpes test because a PAP smear does not detect the virus. To find out of you have genital herpes, you have to get tested for it specifically.

MYTH # 9: If you have genital herpes, your child will too.
When an expectant mother knows she has genital herpes and tells her doctor, it is rare for the child to get the virus. Because it is a virus, the mother's body has developed antibodies to fight it and these antibodies protect the child. It is possible for a child to become infected, but if proper measures are taken chances are slim. You should consult a doctor if you are pregnant or want to become pregnant and you have genital herpes. Because some people have genital herpes with no symptoms, you may still want to be tested just to be sure.

MYTH #10: Cold sores are a lip infection like canker sores and have nothing to do with herpes.
Cold sores are caused by type 1 of the herpes virus which can also cause genital herpes if you engage in oral sex with someone who has a cold sore.

MYTH # 11: Having genital herpes increases the risk of getting other infections .
People who have herpes are not more susceptible to other infections.