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Rates of Genital Herpes Infection High

Genital herpes, or HSV-2, is one of the most common sexually transmitted disease in the US. New data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show an overall infection rate of 16 percent for people between the ages of 14 and 49.
The rates are not evenly distributed across the population, though. Women have almost twice the rate of men, and African-American women have the highest rate of all. Nearly half are infected. Most of the people who carry the virus, about four-fifths, do not know it. When herpes is diagnosed antiviral drugs such as Valtrex or Zovirax can be used to treat the symptoms. Conscientious use of condoms can reduce the risk of transmission.

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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