SEATTLE, Wash-Genital herpes has been a public health concern for many years. However, with more attention and funding going to AIDS prevention, the sexually transmitted disease (STD) is often overlooked.
Herpes simplex virus 2 (HISV-2) cases have risen 30% since the 1970s. More than 20% of American teenagers and adults are infected with the virus. Yet, few of these people realize they are infectious because many never develop the genital lesions associated with the STD.
Health officials are now concerned the infection rate could pass 30% if the public is not educated about the virus. There is also more evidence that genital herpes can facilitate HIV transmission. A person with HIV and genital herpes is more infectious, even if they are asymptomatic. A person with genital herpes is also more likely to become infected with HIV if exposed.
Although there are blood tests to diagnose HSV-2, few healthcare workers agree who should be tested. High-risk pregnant women should be tested because in rare situations, the virus can be fatal to newborns. However for most adults, genital herpes is nothing more than an inconvenience.
Treatment options include suppressive therapy with daily, long-term antiviral drugs to prevent outbreaks and reduce transmission.
Information from www.hivandhepatitis.com
Together We Rise: Why AORN Expo 2025 Is a Must for Every Perioperative Nurse
March 31st 2025From April 5 to 8, 2025, thousands of perioperative nurses will gather in Boston for the 2025 AORN Global Surgical Conference & Expo—a transformational experience designed to elevate nursing practice, build lifelong connections, and advance surgical care.
Vet IP Roundtable 2: Infection Control and Biosecurity Challenges in Veterinary Care
March 31st 2025Veterinary IPs highlight critical gaps in cleaning protocols, training, and biosecurity, stressing the urgent need for standardized, animal-specific infection prevention practices across diverse care settings.
Invisible, Indispensable: The Vital Role of AHRQ in Infection Prevention
March 25th 2025With health care systems under strain and infection preventionists being laid off nationwide, a little-known federal agency stands as a last line of defense against preventable patient harm. Yet the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is now facing devastating cuts—threatening decades of progress in patient safety.
The Sterile Processing Conference Survival Guide: How to Make the Most of Your Next Event
March 25th 2025From expert speakers to cutting-edge tools, sterile processing conferences, like the 2025 HSPA Annual Conference and the SoCal SPA's Spring Conference, offer unmatched opportunities to grow your skills, expand your network, and strengthen your department's infection prevention game.
Redefining Material Compatibility in Sterilization: Insights From AAMI TIR17:2024
March 24th 2025AAMI TIR17:2024 provides updated, evidence-based guidance on material compatibility with sterilization modalities. It offers essential insights for medical device design and ensures safety without compromising functionality.