Condoms prevent the spread of Herpes by 30%

Published April 17 2010 inSexual Health
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A recent study conducted in America has concluded that people who use condoms are 30% less likely to contract Genital Herpes. The infection is caused by the Herpes simplex 2 (HSV-2) virus and can lead to infections or complications during pregnancy.

The study combined data from 6 separate studies on the rate of HSV infections and condom use that included a total of 5,384 people. All of the participants were free from the infection at the start of the studies and during the follow-up, a year later 415 individuals had contracted the virus.

Individuals who reported that they always used a condom were 30% less likely to contract the virus, while the risk of infection increased with the number of unprotected sex acts. The study concluded that condoms are only partially effective in preventing the virus, as it can be spread by skin-to-skin contact and even when there are no visible sign of infection.

Even though condoms do give some protection against the virus, experts still maintain that if you are worried about the virus or have regular unprotected sex, then you should have a STD test.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mike has been delivering world class Sexually Transmitted Infections testing services to Better2Know patients around the world for over ten years. He has written extensively on the subject, including numerous blogs for Better2Know which are designed to demystify the complex intricacies of sexual health testing. Mike wants to help his readers understand the risks they take in their daily sexual lives and provide the information they need when choosing an STI or STD test in a clear, concise and understandable way. Mike is particularly interested in writing about viral STIs like HIV and Hepatitis, as these infections can have a devastating impact on people’s lives if they are not diagnosed quickly. Only through being well informed can you best care for your health, and Mike is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience to help you and all his readers lead a happier, healthier life.