Common misconceptions

There are many misconceptions about genital herpes. These include:

Misconception: My partner must have cheated on me

Fact: Eighty per cent of people with genital herpes don't know that they have it or that they are placing their partner at risk. It’s also possible for someone to have the virus for years without any symptoms. So it doesn’t necessarily mean that your partner has been unfaithful or promiscuous Glossary: Promiscuous
Promiscuity refers to casual sex with many partners. .

Misconception: You can’t pass it on unless you have symptoms

Fact: Twenty percent of people with genital herpes have absolutely no symptoms. This means that the virus can be unintentionally passed on. In fact, 70 per cent of people with genital herpes report getting it from a partner who did not have an outbreak at the time of sexual contact (via viral shedding Glossary: Viral shedding
The shedding of the herpes virus from the skin surface – even if there are no symptoms present. ). If you are sexually active, speak to your doctor about getting regularly tested for STI Glossary: STI
A sexually transmitted infection. s – and remember to specifically ask for genital herpes as it is not included in a standard test.

Misconception: Genital herpes can be transmitted Glossary: Transmission
Passing the virus on. by sharing towels, a spa or a toilet seat.

Fact: The genital herpes virus is a fragile virus that dries out when it is exposed to air. There have been no proven cases of genital herpes transmission from a toilet seat.

Misconception: Your most recent sexual partner must have passed the virus on to you.

Fact: Sometimes there can be a long delay between getting the virus and experiencing symptoms (assuming you experience symptoms at all). So your most recent sexual partner may not have passed the virus on to you.

Misconception: Genital herpes is a sign of promiscuity Glossary: Promiscuity
Promiscuity refers to casual sex with many partners. .

Fact: Genital herpes is not a sign of promiscuity . One in 8 adult Australians have it and most don’t realise that they do. It is so common that you can catch it even if you’ve only had a few sexual partners. In fact, it could take just one sexual partner to catch genital herpes.

Misconception: You would know if you had genital herpes

Fact: Because the symptoms of genital herpes vary so much and can appear on unexpected areas of the body it is actually quite easy to dismiss or misdiagnose it. Twenty percent of people with genital herpes don’t experience any symptoms and 60 per cent have symptoms but don’t realise it is genital herpes. If you are sexually active, speak to your doctor about getting regularly tested for STI s – and remember to specifically ask for genital herpes as it is not included in a standard test.