FEBRUARY 3. 2006 JUStjOUt 15 northwest Women and Herpes The (sometimes) invisible menace by Mary Christmas never asked to get tested for herpes because I never had a reason to think that I had it,” says Gene, a 30-year-old Portland lesbian who developed the sex­ ually transmitted disease last fall. According to a handbook written by Terri Warren of Northwest Portland’s Westover Heights Clinic, the most prevalent STD in the country is easy to catch, not diagnosed by most screenings and can be passed on by people who show no symptoms and who don’t even realize they’re infected. The disease is herpes, and it could be that the lesbian community faces a higher risk of spreading it. There is a misconception among some women that herpes is harder to pass between female part­ ners, which can lead to unsafe sex. But up to 60 percent of the adult population in the United States has herpes, and like in Gene’s case, some of those people are infecting their partners with gen­ ital herpes through unprotected oral sex. Herpes viruses account for several different, and unrelated, diseases including Epstein-Barr and shingles. Herpes simplex 1 (HSV 1) and herpes simplex 2 (HSV 2) can be spread between sex partners—and in ways that might surprise you. While people generally think of genital herpes (usually HSV 2) as the kind that is highly conta- gious and causes multiple outbreaks of sores every year, HSV 1 is more often passed from one person to another. Cold sores are often the most obvious presentation of the herpes virus; carriers can pass the virus on for Type 1 has a familiar face: cold sores. years without knowing they are infected. While education can help prevent transmission, sometimes awareness is not enough. among those infected with it? Lack of testing could antibodies to the virus. Savvy STD hunters should For Gene, years of carefully avoiding infection be the culprit. Gene has no health insurance, only ask their doctor for a blood test that “types” which might have delayed catching herpes but did not a limited emergency medical plan that doesn’t cov­ virus is present and should bring their partners in er preventative care. She says she will “usually go protect her in the end. for the same treatment. to free clinics for tests like this” but notes that the “There was a two-week period where 1 thought Spicing it up in the bednxim in new ways might be necessary for herpes-positive people, since the 1 had herpes, and I had safe sex for years unless 1 more expensive tests are not performed. At her last visit to Outside In, a sliding-scale clinic downtown, had a steady partner that I knew. But then I got virus can be passed orally, genitally and even herpes was not one of the diseases included: “They through touch. Those with herpes in one area can more lax about it. I would just ask people if they’d tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV.” even infect themselves on another part of the ever had an outbreak,” she says. Wayne Centrone, medical outreach director for body—a process known as “autoinoculation.” The Her girlfriend had never shown signs of having Outside In, confirms that herpes is not generally cold sores, so both were surprised when Gene got risk level can be very frustrating, and dental dams part of any clinic’s basic test. “Because of the alone are not enough to keep partners safe. sick. When she asked her girlfriend about her sta­ expense of screening for herpes, we just can’t afford Testing is essential. Karen Sweigert of Cascade tus, “She said, ‘I don’t have herpes’ hut had never to do it for free.” He adds that if someone is con­ Women’s Health recommends a test for anyone been tested. She has now, and she’s a carrier." cerned about their status, the test is available, but “who has changed partners in the last year or are It is possible to contract oral herpes during planning on becoming pregnant.” She believes childhood from a parent and to never experience t the patient must cover the cost. While a blood test is the only way to know for “herpes is not a life-threatening STD. It’s very an outbreak while still being a transmitter. livable. But the first infection is nasty.” © Although Gene admits her first outbreak made her sure if you are infected, some outdated tests can feel “total depression,” she hasn’t blamed anyone in particular: “I haven’t really been angry at [my girl­ friend!. She had no idea that she had it.” Why is there such ignorance about herpes, even give insubstantial results because they don’t differ­ entiate between the two simplex viruses. Also, a false negative can occur, because it can take up tp three months for the infected persop to produce M ary C hristmas is a Portland free-lance writer and senior editor of Spread Magazine: Illuminating the Sex Industry, online at wu'U’. spreadmagazine.