Herpes Statistics

One in six Americans infected with genital herpes.
Bloomberg News (3/10, Randall) reports that a CDC study found that genital herpes "has infected one in six Americans," showing that "prevention efforts haven't stopped outbreaks. The survey, conducted from 2005 through 2008, found the infection rate didn't change significantly from a previous report from 1999 to 2004." Kevin Fenton, director of the CDC's National Center for STD Prevention, said, "This study serves as a stark reminder that herpes remains a common and serious health threat. ... We are particularly concerned about persistent high rates of herpes among African-Americans, which is likely contributing to disproportionate rates of HIV in the black community."
The CDC said that "nearly one in every two African American women ages 14 to 49 has genital herpes," according to the Los Angeles Times (3/9, Maugh) "Booster Shots" blog. Dr. John M. Douglas Jr., of the CDC's division of STD prevention, said, "The message is herpes is quite common." He added, "The symptoms can often be very innocuous," which may explain why "about 80% of those who carry the virus do not know they are infected."
"Because herpes is so prevalent it becomes...a really important reason to use condoms on a consistent and correct basis with all of your partners," Douglas said in a Reuters (3/10, Allen) report.