I'm confused about Genital Herpes. Can someone fill me in?

Ok, here goes. We've all heard about the "classic" symptoms of genital herpes. The painful blisters and nasty sores. We get the nightmare scenario in high school health class.

However, I've been researching genital herpes online. I've read that "many" people with herpes have no symptoms. I've read that "most" people with herpes never have symptoms. And, on those commercials for herpes meds, they say that 70% of people with herpes got it from their partner that never knew they had it.

Now, if so many people out there aren't having any symptoms, does that mean that only a small percentage of people infected with genital herpes have symptoms? Does that mean that for most people infected, it's no big deal because they have no symptoms?

Please explain.

aah the ol' gift that keeps on giving...dude you dont want it either way

Cold sores is a form of herpes and it looks like that

You can always trust what a pharmaceutical company tells you in their advertisements. Yes, everybody has herpes and most people don't even know it.

one explaination is never,never take any chances even if you never ever have sex. everybody should be repeatedly tested and they should expect to be tested before and during a relationship. spouses must be tested. when they get mad, they cheat. ancient tratition all documented for years and the stats are readily availbable. so you live ini your fantasy and walk about dripping and smelling of decayed flesh and i will stay home.

Even if small percentage of ppl infected are suffering it is best to avoid cz the symptoms are severe. No one can be sure he/she will not be the one among unlucky few.

eventually people get symptoms, but there are such things as "carriers" who have the virus and show no signs. the thing about herpes is, even when people have signs, they come and go (the way people's cold-sores do) they don't have 'em 24/7 so someone might know they have herpes and give it to a "special firend" anyway. that's why condoms are such a big deal for people who aren't exclusive.
plain solution, test you and your partner, then no cheating --- but apparently being a big whore is in style these days....

You can spread Herpes with out having an outbreak or any symptoms. Yes you can be a carrier of the herpes virus. Cold sores on the mouth are a strand of Herpes. Shingle (like chicken pocks) are also a strand of Herpes. One reason that they may not have symptoms is because the outbreaks get fewer and fewer and the pain is less. And is very contagious. If you touch the infected area and touch your arm, you could get a herpes blister on that area. Example if someone with a cold sore buts his or her mouth on your genitals, you are exposed and may possible get Genital Herpes. So be safe use protection.

I think you need to clarify the different types of herpes,
simplex 1 and 2.

Even if people don't have symptoms, it is important not to spread it, so it still matters even if no symptoms show or you are not aware of any.

I know a friend who dated a woman who had genital herpes because her husband was unfaithful, and she did not know it; but the sores were deep inside her where her body had symptoms but didn't see or feel them or know about them. So she passed the herpes to someone else, and now he has to deal with symptoms even though she did not.

So it is a big deal to put someone else at risk just because you don't appear to have symptoms or know about them.

In general, whether or not you spread herpes or HIV or other detectible diseases, the fact is that the wives or partners of men who had more sexual partners in the past tend to have higher rates of cervical cancer in the future. So even if there are germs, viruses or other conditions we cannot detect or feel symptoms of, these can have an adverse effect on our health. It is better not to take unnecessary risks that can affect you or other people.

Ok, good questions!

To address them, a lot of people do not show symptoms, so your inference is right, only a small percentage of people infected do show symptoms. Thus, because it is hard to detect, the commercial's statement is right, 70% of people with herpes do get it from partners that never knew they had it.

As for it not being a big deal, that depends how you're looking at it. I have genital herpes, it rarely physically affects me, so most times its not a big deal whatsoever. HOWEVER, that is only in regards to my own physical condition, and when you bring someone else into the equation (my girlfriend) it does become a serious issue.

How serious an issue is it? Well, I had to tell her, that was a hard talk and a pretty big deal, and because she was willing to stick with me, we now are just much safer about our intmate moments. We've educated ourselves, we care for each other deeply, and we can move forward in our lives, together, in what I'd consider a very normal, healthy way.

Hope this helps, feel free to write.

1 in 4 people who have genital herpes are asymptomatic. meaning they dont have systems so they dont know they have it. 1 in 5 out of the population have genital herpes. for those that do have it and dont have symptoms it isn't no big deal. they can still spread it. but those who have it and do have systems would think that it is no big deal for the asymptomatic population, because they dont have to experience the pain that comes with the virus. people who are asymptomatic are lucky. But they are responsible for spreading the disease b/c they dont know they have it. both people in a relationship should get tested before doing anything these days