HSV Type 2 General Info
HSV 2 is an anacronym for herpes simplex virus 2, also referred to as herpes simplex 2. HSV 2 is a contagious virus that is usually transmitted through sexual contact. HSV 2 infection typically affects the genital region and is often labeled genital herpes.
HSV 2 infection is not extremely common, but not so uncommon either as to be unheard of. In the United States roughly 16% of people between the ages of 14 and 49 are thought to be infected with HSV 2. Determining exact HSV 2 infection rates presents a challenge due to a quite low percentage of infection awareness. It’s believed that at least 80% of people infected with HSV 2 in the United States are not aware that they are, in fact, infected.
The lack of infection awareness associated with HSV 2 is likely due to a lack of apparent symptoms. HSV 2 infection can present slight symptoms, and potentially no symptoms at all — at least not symptoms that are clearly recognized by infected individuals. In some cases however HSV 2 infection can show quite clear symptoms including pain and soreness, and blistering. It’s unclear why some HSV 2 infected people show clear signs of infection, while other people infected with HSV 2 move through life with little to no signs of infection.
Even when HSV 2 does show symptoms, the condition is not considered to be a significant threat to health and wellness. When present, the symptoms of an HSV 2 infection will eventually clear on their own though they will almost always clear more quickly and with less pain and discomfort when effective treatment is used.
People who do perceive potential HSV 2 symptoms tend to be rather stressed over the possibility of being HSV 2 infected and may search out information about HSV 2, or genital herpes, in an effort to determine their status. However the lack of uniform symptom response for HSV 2 infection makes self diagnosis extremely challenging and also unreliable. Medical testing then may be the only sure way to know if infection is, in fact, present.
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