The Disturbing Facts Regarding Genital herpes in NYC And the Importance of Testing for Infection

The figures are startling. At least one in four Americans will contract an STD at some point in their lives. Yet, one in four people in NYC already have one of the genital herpes viruses! This is one out of four people already walking around—but more importantly trying to smooch up on you—with a genital herpes infection. When will the madness end?! Well, when more people do the right thing and receive testing for not only genital herpes, but an array of STDs. After all, twenty five separate diseases qualify as STDs, so that’s a lot of testing!

But it makes sense. The only way genital herpes can be controlled is if the individuals who are infected know it and stop spreading it around. Here are a few facts about genital herpes that you may not have known:

·       The number of Americans with genital herpes has increased thirty percent since the 1970s

·       Male to female infection is more common then female to male infection

·       An estimated one million Americans will become infected with genital herpes this year alone

As stated previously, the figures are startling. Remember that all these figures are a tad worse when it comes to NYC, where the statistics spike upwards. Testing for genital herpes and other STDs cannot be stressed enough. Let’s back up a bit and explain what it is we are speaking of when we speak of genital herpes. Today, when people speak of genital herpes chances are they are speaking of these two strains. The first one is called HSV 1 (genital herpes simplex virus 1) and is generally known as oral genital herpes because it concentrates its symptoms around the mouth. HSV 2 is generally known as genital herpes, as its symptoms concentrate around the genital area.

What about the symptoms? What are they? Symptoms are different in all people and very rarely symptoms are almost nonexistent. Generally, the first outbreaks are almost always more severe than following outbreaks. It is because of this that testing for infection makes sense. If you are living in NYC it is possible to receive testing at many fine NYC STD clinics.

Symptoms generally appear just two or three days after infection (this is a great time to undergo testing in one of those fine NYC STD clinics). The infected area of your body, either around your mouth or around your genital region, may be itchy, burning or tingly. This is followed by an outbreak of red painful blisters that eventually break and form hard painful scabs and sores.

Remember that it is possible to infect someone else with genital herpes even when there are no visible sores present! Testing by an internist is the only way to definitively find out if you are a genital herpes carrier. If the test comes back positive, you will have to be prudent about not spreading the infection to your partners and/or significant other.

Testing is accomplished by different means. The most popular tests include the genital herpes viral culture, the genital herpes virus antigen test, and the polymerase chain reaction test. Only a certified internist (as in a NYC STD clinic) will know which testing procedure is best for you.  Testing is highly accurate, pain free and affordable.

Since you live in the NYC area and would like to engage in genital herpes testing log onto genital herpes testing NYC. This clinic is located just several blocks away from Grand Central Station in Manhattan and is easily accessible by subway and buses. Call 1-212-696-5900 to book an appointment today.  STD testing NYC is the first step in controlling infection rates.