Sexual Disease Herpes rife in New York City
Pastor Dale Morgan
Sexual Disease Herpes rife in New York City*
From correspondents in New York
June 11, 2008 04:49am
Article from: Agence France-Presse
ONE in four adults living in New York City has the virus that causes
genital herpes, and among African-Americans the rate is almost 50 per
cent, official statistics show.
The sexually transmitted herpes simplex virus Type 2 is more prevalent
in New York City, at 26 per cent, than nationally, where 19 per cent of
adults, roughly one in five, are infected.
Far more women than men have the virus, 36 per cent compared to 19, in
the city mythologised in the television-turned-movie megahit Sex in the
City.
The study by New York City Department of Health also reveals that herpes
is far more common among African-Americans - 49 per cent - than whites
(14 per cent).
Most people infected with HSV-2 present no symptoms, but those that do
experience periodic outbreaks of painful genital sores that heal in two
to four weeks.
"Genital herpes alone will not cause serious problems for most people,"
said Julia Schillinger, director of surveillance for the Health
Department's Bureau of Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention and Control.
"But some people will have painful genital sores, and the infection
fosters the spread of HIV," she said, urging New Yorkers to protect
themselves and others.
"Using condoms consistently will help you avoid getting or spreading
genital herpes," she said.