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The study included 498 adults with healthy immune systems who had a diagnosis of genital herpes or who tested positive for HSV-2.
CNN: Symptom-free herpes contagious 10% of the time
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People with HSV-2 can protect their partners from contracting the virus by using male or female condoms during sex, and by taking virus-suppressing drugs.
CNN: Symptom-free herpes contagious 10% of the time
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Previous research has shown that people infected with HSV-2 can pass the virus to someone else through genital contact even if they don't have symptoms.
CNN: Symptom-free herpes contagious 10% of the time
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"A lot of times people are diagnosed with HSV-2 by an antibody test and they don't know what to do with that information, " Johnston says.
CNN: Symptom-free herpes contagious 10% of the time
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In addition, HSV-2 infection can cause complications in people who have weakened immune systems due to chronic disease, and it can increase a person's likelihood of contracting HIV, Whitley says.
CNN: Symptom-free herpes contagious 10% of the time
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Everyone should know whether they have HSV-2, Whitley says.
CNN: Symptom-free herpes contagious 10% of the time
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An estimated 16% of U.S. adults are infected with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), which can cause bumps, blisters, or sores on the genitals and surrounding areas, along with pain and itching.
CNN: Symptom-free herpes contagious 10% of the time