Herpes Test For You And Your Loved Ones 1 For All—And All For 1

Numbers tend to confuse Americans. We get it, it’s all about entertainment and what the heck is entertaining about math examples? Sure, perhaps there are a few brainiac out there who would rather play Sudoku in the newspaper instead of filling out the word jumble—but that’s not us. There are confusing numbers out there and not-so confusing numbers. One of the not so confusing numbers is the number 1 (one) especially when it comes to herpes. What? You heard right: herpes. Herpes (testing for it, especially) is nothing to be confused about. Let us explain…

When it comes to the herpes virus there are many numbers associated with it. There are a bunch of illnesses caused by the herpes virus. Believe it or not 1 (one) of them is chicken pox. Not many people realize that chicken pox is typically the first time that most individuals are exposed to the herpes virus. The herpes virus is most often than not associated with sex and sexual activity. Americans tend to become infected with the chicken pox virus way before they tend to have sex. Testing for chicken pox is a moot point as the symptoms (red sores all over one’s body) are usually so obvious that testing is not called for.

Shingles is another herpes virus illness. Typically, this illness shows up in middle age. It is caused by the herpes virus in the body resurfacing after lo those many years of lying dormant. In other words, no one can catch shingles later in life if they never had chicken pox while they were young. One (1) of the most important things to do in order to protect yourself from any herpes virus is to undergo testing.

When most people think of herpes they think of cold sores either on the mouth area or on the genitals. These are the most common forms of herpes. The infection rate statistics for Americans can boggle the mind. Currently it is believed that 1 (one) in 5 (five) Americans are positive for the herpes simplex 1 virus. If you believe that you may have become infected with the herpes 1 or 2 virus, it is recommended that you get to a certified STD clinic ASAP.

Let’s break it down: Herpes simplex 1 is most commonly associated with oral herpes. Herpes simplex 2 is most commonly associated with genital herpes. Testing is available for both insidious strains.

These days there has been a lot of cross contamination between herpes simplex 1 and herpes simplex 2, but for all practical purposes when referring to herpes 1 we are referring to oral herpes. Again, testing is paramount.

Even though there are over twenty-five different sicknesses and diseases considered STDs, there are few that have more stigma attached to them than herpes simplex 1 and 2. One of the reasons why herpes simplex 1 and 2 have so much negative stigma attached to them is that the virus makes itself so obvious in the infected person. Unfortunately, if you meet someone at a bar or club that is suffering from herpes 1, testing is not necessary. The ugly, unsexy sore on the person’s lip tells the entire story.

Infection from herpes 1 (one) happens quickly, and you can usually feel the tingling and fever that accompany the infection within two weeks. Some individuals never show signs of the infection—but once infected—can still spread the virus to the ones that they are intimate with. You don’t want to be one of these people. No one with any self-respect does. That is why testing is the best way to know if you harbor the virus.