About 1 in 5 Americans infected with genital herpes but only 10% are diagnosed.
From recent study showed that virus of Herpes simplex type-2 (HSV-2) may reactive throughout genital tract. This reactivation may occur from multiple sacral ganglia.

Christine Johnston, M.D., MPH., and colleagues at the University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, said, “Longitudinal studies in HSV-2-seropositive persons have shown that HSV reactivates in the genital tract in >90% of persons. Anatomic patterns of genital HSV-2 reactivation have not been intensively studied.”

The study result from examination of 4 HSV-2-seropositive women with a history of symptomatic genital herpes that observed for 30 days.

The author write, “Whether widespread subclinical reactivation occurs in HSV-2-seropositive persons without a clinical history of HSV-2, or in persons with long-standing HSV-2 infection, requires further study.”

Edward Hook III, MD, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Jefferson County Department of Health, noted in the editorial, called for national campaign for serological testing of those at high risk to provide the basis for better prevention.

Dr. Hook said, “This would not be a simple task. Clinicians would need to re-conceptualize their approach to diagnosis and management. In addition, there would be a need to portray genital herpes not as a ‘scarlet letter’ but rather as a widespread untoward consequence of human sexuality, the impact of which on personal and public health could be reduced through broader testing and more aggressive treatment.”