Who Can Get Genital Herpes?
Anyone can get genital herpes. While more women have it than men (1 in 4 women versus 1 in 8 men), it is highly contagious and easily spread.
How Many People Have Genital Herpes?
While there isn't an exact way to count the number of people who have genital herpes, approximately 45 million Americans aged 12 or older have HSV-2 (genital herpes).
How Is Genital Herpes Spread?
The only way to get genital herpes is by having sexual contact with someone who has the virus already. So whether it's through oral sex, vaginal sex, or anal sex, if your partner has it, you can get it. And that's not all. It's also possible to get it from having oral sex with someone who has cold sores. Although ZOVIRAX Ointment helps you manage your initial outbreak of genital herpes, it does not prevent the transmission of HSV infections.
What Triggers Genital Herpes?
- Stress
- Medications that strain your immune system (like steroids, chemotherapy, or infections due to HIV/AIDS)
- Menstruation (sorry ladies, hormonal changes can trigger an outbreak)
- Surgery
- Friction to the genital area, possibly caused by sex
- Fatigue
How Long Has ZOVIRAX Ointment Been Around?
The active ingredient acyclovir was discovered in the 1970s. ZOVIRAX® (acyclovir) Ointment 5% has been treating HSV-2 (genital herpes) for over 25 years.
How Do I Get ZOVIRAX Ointment?
Should you suspect that you have genital herpes, getting a tube of ZOVIRAX Ointment may be easier than you think. Any medical professional can prescribe ZOVIRAX Ointment—from family practitioners to gynecologists and dermatologists. It's very important to seek treatment by a health care professional at the first sign of an outbreak. So if you think you might have genital herpes, make an appointment with your doctor right away.