5 Myths About Herpes, Busted!

By Care2

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Everything you ever wanted to know about herpes and were afraid to ask.

Herpes is common. Really common. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in six adults has genital herpes, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the herpes simplex virus.

While it may be super-common, there are still a lot of myths out there about it — here are five I hear a lot.

Myth 1: If I don't have any sores, I don't have herpes.
Herpes can lay dormant (sort of like it’s in hibernation) for years without causing any noticeable symptoms. Because of this, many people don't know they have it and may have trouble figuring out how or when they got it. When symptoms do occur, they often appear as small blisters on or around the genitals. The blisters may look like pimples with clear fluid in them, and they may be painful or have a burning sensation. The best way to find out if you have herpes is to see a health care provider if you have pain, blisters or a sore.

Myth 2: We didn’t have sex, so there’s no way I have genital herpes.
Herpes is spread by skin-to-skin contact with someone who carries the virus. That means you can get herpes by touching, kissing and oral, vaginal or anal sex. People who carry herpes don't always know they have the virus, and they may not have any visible sores on their skin.

That said, your risk of getting the virus is higher if you've had contact with a partner who does have a visible sore. Using condoms can majorly decrease the risk of spreading the virus, but doesn’t eliminate it completely. Unfortunately, no other type of birth control reduces the risk of this STI.

Myth 3: There’s a cure for herpes ... right?
First, the bad news: Once you have herpes, it will be with you for the rest of your life. The virus can lay dormant for long stretches of time, then cause "outbreaks" at times of stress or illness.

Now, the good news: There are medications you can take to make an outbreak go away faster. If you only get outbreaks once every few years, you can take the medications just when you have an outbreak. If you get outbreaks more often, you might benefit from taking a medication daily to prevent them. A discussion with your healthcare provider will help you decide which strategy is best for you.

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This article was originally published at . Reprinted with permission.

Listen Up, Introverts! 10 Teas That Are WAY Better Than Coffee

1. Pumpkin Chai Tea

All you need is one sip to figure out why chai is considered a staple blend. Even with its milky texture and spicy undertones, it's versatile enough that you can add any ingredient and still come out with a mind blowing mix.

Health benefits: As a whole, chai promotes good digestion. For starters, healthy living site Mind Body Green mentions that cinnamon and black pepper both promote anti-inflammation and are antioxidants.

Photo: Tumblr

2. Lavender Tea

Whenever I brew lavender tea, I love mixing in hints of mint and rosemary for an alltogether calming effect. It's the best remedy for a long day at work or can even double as a romantic drink for a night in.

Health benefits: Lavender has been scientifically proven to be soothing and even alleviates stress.

Photo: Weheartit

3. Hibiscus Ginger Tea

Now that we're deep into the fall season, you will be amazed by just how much the floral and spicy tones in this blend compliment those cool days. If you're feeling extra fancy, I would suggest switching out the ginger for pomegranate and cinnamon (because who doesn't like living life on the edge?).

Health benefits: According to Livestrong, hibiscus flowers can lower cholesterol as well as reduce blood pressure.

Photo: Foodista

4. Peach Green Tea

I love drinking my green tea with mint and peach (and a dash of lemon if I'm feeling adventurous) because of their contrasting flavors. The best part is that it even tastes just as good served hot! As I never add any sugar to my tea, I was pleasantly surprised by how juicy this was.

Health benefits: Recent studies show that drinking green tea can lower the risk of heart disease and also reduces stress. One of its most popular uses today is for weight loss.

Photo: Tumblr

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