1. People with std are doomed to be alone forever because of their diseases
Many people who have contracted a std (herepes or hpv in particular) feel distressed because of their new condition; they are aware of a certain stigma in the society that comes with the diagnosis. Some of the newly diagnosed feel stained and filthy, others think that there will never be something good in their lives. Statistics show that about 45 million, approximately one in five, people in the United States are infected with HSV-2, about 1 million new HSV infections can be transmitted annually. And this number does not correlate to personal loneliness of course. It’s All a Matter of Psychology. Some people see the glass half empty. Others see it full no matter what’s going on in their lives. Find your way out: socialize, educate yourself, your friends and members of your family, join std communities, std dating sites where you can find people who will share their experiences with you and where YOU can help someone.
2. Getting Herpes from Toilet Seat
This is perhaps the most common std myth. Herpes is an extremely fragile virus and it doesn’t live outside of the body. On the surfaces of the objects and exposed to the air it dies very quickly.
3. Sores, blisters always accompany an outbreak
An infected person can show no symptoms at all during all his/her life. That’s why many people even do not know they are the carriers of herpes virus, and can unconsciously transmit the virus to others. A study showed that around 72% of people who had herpes got it from asymptomatic partners.
4. Only People with many sexual partners get herpes
Herpes is a very common virus. According to the latest report of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1 in 6 Americans has herpes. It is unfairly associated with promiscuous and irresponsible sexual behavior. One can get herpes even if he/she’s had only one or two sexual partners. Herpes can be spread from a mother to her baby during childbirth, though the rate is very low. Some people report to get it after sexual assault. Some people get it from asymptomatic partners.
5. I cannot have children in the future
Herpes virus does not affect a woman’s or man’s fertility. Though pregnant women already infected with genital herpes should know that if they have an outbreak of genital herpes during the third trimester, a Cesarean section can be recommended.
6. A baby can get herpes through breast milk
The herpes virus cannot be passed through breast milk.
7. If I use a condom, I won’t transmit the virus
There is no 100% guarantee that one won’t get herpes (or any other sexually transmitted infection) even when a condom is used.
To reduce the risks of herpes transmission partners should:
-Use a condom;
-Avoid sexual contact during an outbreak;
-A partner-carrier can take a suppressive antiviral therapy which reduces the risks of the virus transmission.
8. Cold sores are just a flu like infection
In fact, so-called blisters and sores are the herpes simplex virus, very often HSV-1 type.
9. If I have already sores on my lips/genital area they won’t spread to other parts of my body
One of the rules during an outbreak says that a person who has an outbreak must keep clean the body and hands. If you touch a sore on the lips and then touch your genital area then the chances are high that you pass it to the area.