Despite a recent article on The Root (and aggregated here on NewsOne) suggesting that recent reports of very high levels of herpes infection among Black women were inaccurate, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stands behind its findings.
According to data gathered by the National Health and Nutrition Survey, 48% of African-American women are infected with genital herpes.
“The CDC stands firmly behind the data,” said Scott Bryan, a spokesman for the organization. The report, which can be accessed here, discussed the current infection rates for women of several different races, including Black women. “We feel that it’s an accurate estimate of the prevalence of genital herpes among multiple populations,” Bryan said.
Get CDC Supporting Article – HERE
To collect the data, women were tested for the presence of HSV-2 antibodies. While in the original article on The Root, an Emory assistant professor specializing in STD’s stated that having the antibodies only indicates exposure to the virus and not infection, Bryan explains on behalf of the CDC:
“The fact of the matter is, if you test positive for the HSV-2 antibody, you are infected with the HSV-2 virus. You could be infected and have no symptoms, or have very minor symptoms,” but the infection is present.
Frequently, women who experience only mild symptoms mistake them for less serious problems such as yeast infections. Since so many infected people may be asymptomatic or may not recognize their symptoms as herpes-related and go get tested, close to 80% of people infected with HSV-2 don’t know they have it.
That unawareness can lead to even more high-risk situations, since people unaware they have herpes can unwittingly transmit it to sexual partners even if they have no symptoms.
With such a high level of infection in the Black community and the prevalence of unawareness, it’s absolutely crucial that we protect ourselves from the herpes virus by getting tested and always practicing safe sex. Click here to learn more about the herpes virus and how you can protect yourself. [SOURCE]
WRAP IT UP & Get tested…you AND your partner! – RoDigga
Be sure to tune into the Midday’s weekly 10am-3pm with RoDigga!
