How bad is Genital Herpes really?

I'm just asking because a majority of people with genital herpes don't even know they have it. The majority of the adult population carries Oral Herpes antibodies. And genital herpes is a similar disease just in a different location. So although no one want to have genital herpes, is it really bad to have it or is it more of a social stigma?

well, if a Victoria Secret model wanted to have sex with me, but I knew she had genital herpes, I would turn her down.. (assuming I was single of course).. once you have it, you have it for life.. no thanks!

its bad, its like luggage...you cant get rid of it...so says eddie murphy

it's very bad and spreads easily. It can create bad scars if irratated. Any STD is bad. Just because it's undeceted doesn't mean its okay to have it.

AND... It is also known as HHV (or Human Herpes Virus) which is an HIV related tumor -> which is a factor that can lead to cancer.

If a mother has a baby then the child might be made blind during the delivery so women with Herpes have C sections to cut down the risk.

It goes into the nervous system and can possibly manifest itself as shingles in later life or other diseases of the nervous system

Well would you want this..................


Genital herpes can cause recurrent painful genital sores in many adults, and herpes infection can be severe in people with suppressed immune systems. Regardless of severity of symptoms, genital herpes frequently causes psychological distress in people who know they are infected.

In addition, genital HSV can cause potentially fatal infections in babies. It is important that women avoid contracting herpes during pregnancy because a first episode during pregnancy causes a greater risk of transmission to the baby. If a woman has active genital herpes at delivery, a cesarean delivery is usually performed. Fortunately, infection of a baby from a woman with herpes infection is rare.

Herpes may play a role in the spread of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Herpes can make people more susceptible to HIV infection, and it can make HIV-infected individuals more infectious.

it's not a good thing to have herpes. First most people have it and don't know it and pass it on and on and on. It can harm a new Born baby if you don't know that you have it. You can also get herpes in the eye's and, mouth, throat, and other places to. you may pass herpes to your children. So now think about it and ask your self the same ques ton. Be side's it not good to have any std of any kind.

It's bad........think of having a painful cold sore on your genitals.

gential herpes is a sex transmitted disease left untreated can leave that person sterile or worse.

My husband gave it to me. I happen to be allergic to the treatment...surprise! So I've had a continuing outbreak for four and 1/2 months. No sex. Not even on the wedding night. I've had lots of pain and itching and several other infections due to my immunity being low. I'm constantly fatigued and have a cold. I'm scared about having C-sections if I want to have children. I'm scared about my children being blind or dying from herpes. For some people, they don't even realize they have it...like one of my girlfriends. But for me...it's hell.

Genital herpes cannot be cured. Once infected, the virus stays in the body for the rest of the individual's life
Research suggests that the virus can be transmitted even when there are no symptoms present, so that a sexual partner without obvious genital herpes sores may still transmit the illness. In fact, asymptomatic spread may actually contribute more to the spread of genital herpes than do active sores.
Please see the web pages for more details and images on Genital Herpes.

Perhaps I'm crazy here, however, I think people take herpes way to seriously. Okay so the outbreaks suck. But take Lysine and use Tea Tree Spirit oil, and you are fine. At least I am. Perhaps my case is highly weak, because I haven't had any outbreaks in years with the natural remedies I take daily. I don't think of herpes as a part of me, it's just something that complicated things every onces in a great while. If I could get rid of them, of course I would, however, there are much worst things that a person could get. So you may get a sore down there for a few day. It sucks, but, it's just like getting a nasty embarrassing pimple, or cold sore on your face. Suck it up and move on. And be honest if you have it. More people have it then they'll ever admit. It's all a social Stigma.

Social stigma tends to be the worst part of HSV-2. Lack of education on the subject has turned herpes into a shameful condition. I'm not saying that it's something to be proud of but it certainly doesn't deserve the bad rap that it gets.

As you can see by many of the answers posted, herpes is sensationalized and misrepresented.

The facts are actually very simple.

Genital herpes is part of the Herpesviridae family which also includes chicken pox, shingles, and mono.

About 80% of the U.S. population has HSV-1 and 25% has HSV-2.

HSV-1 and HSV-2 are virtually identical. Both types infect the body's mucosal surfaces (usually the mouth or genitals) and then hide out in the nervous system. The primary difference between the two viral types is in where they prefer to hide out. HSV-1 usually establishes latency in the trigeminal ganglion, a collection of nerve cells near the ear. From there, it tends to recur on the lower lip or face. HSV-2 usually sets up residence in the sacral ganglion at the base of the spine. From there, it recurs in the genital area. Even this difference is not absolute. Either type can reside in either or both parts of the body and infect oral and/or genital areas.

HSV is a lifelong condition but it does not pose any significant health threat. You cannot die from herpes! However, discomfort from outbreaks and psychological distress can make it seem pretty significant. The majority of people infected with HSV have very few outbreaks. Those who do suffer from outbreaks have several highly successful treatment options from holistic remedies to anti-virals like Valtrex. There are only a few documented cases of anti-viral treatments not improving symptoms.

HSV does increase your risk of contracting HIV because of open lesions and your immune system already working hard to suppress the virus.

Herpes does not cause cancer. That is HPV (human papillomavirus). A different virus entirely that over 75% of women will contract at some point in their lives. About 1% of those infected with HPV will develop cervical cancer.

HSV-2 can pose a risk to an infant during childbirth. There is a chance of the baby contracting HSV in-utero if the mother has her first outbreak during pregnancy. This is very rare. Other than that, the doctor will deliver the baby by cesarean if the mother is having an active outbreak at the time of delivery.

The truth of the matter is that no one wants a health condition. Whether you have asthma, allergies, psoriasis, poor vision, or herpes - It doesn't define who you are as a person. You simply make the best of it and go on with life. Unfortunately, for those of us with herpes, we have to deal with negative stereotypes and misinformation that can make us feel like social lepers. I have never had a symptom and yet I've been made to feel dirty. I contracted HSV from my husband but I've still been labeled as a whore. I've felt unlovable because so many people are stuck in their uneducated views of herpes. These are what make herpes so bad.

I've taken a proactive approach. I talk about it. I write about it. I do what I can to let people know the truth. As a result, I have the support of my friends and family. Most people are scared to talk about it and are forced to suffer in silence.