Susan Martin: Herpes in the vast majority of people is a silent condition.
Dr. Dean Edell: But Susan Martin chooses to be open about her condition to help people better understand this common virus.
Susan Martin: About the only thing that people know about herpes is herpes is forever.
Dr. Dean Edell: One in five Americans has genital herpes, Susan contracted it 20 years ago from her sexual partner.
Susan Martin: I actually went to the doctor with strep throat.
Dr. Dean Edell: Susan is lucky, she had symptoms. Nearly 85% of people who carry the virus don't even know they have it.
Jay Reese: There are a lot of people who have actually had herpes without ever having an outbreak of blisters, without having any pain.
Dr. Dean Edell: Almost 70% of herpes cases are spread without any symptoms. A simple blood test can tell if you carry the virus.
Dr. Catherine Lynch: They have what we would refer to as asymptomatic shedding the virus. They don't hand an outbreak that they realize that the virus comes out.
Dr. Dean Edell: Antiviral medications can help manage their condition. They can be taken during an outbreak to heal symptoms faster or use everyday to suppress the virus.
Dr. Catherine Lynch: When you use it in the suppressive nature, especially it comes in handy for that couple that's trying to have a family and yet one partner has not been infected.
Dr. Dean Edell: Along with medication, the best advice for those with herpes is to practice safe sex. Don't have sex during an outbreak and tell your partner.
Susan Martin: No one has ever broken up with me because of it. No one has ever not wanted to see me because of it.
Dr. Dean Edell: Susan hopes by telling her story, others like her will be more honest and break the silence about this common condition. This is Dr. Dean Edell.
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