HIV Test – the Herpes Risk

An HIV test can be crucial – and if you’ve had genital herpes, you might want to put the test at the top of your priority list.

An HIV test may seem a long way away from testing for genital herpes, but the two are closer than you might like to think. Research shows that if you have the herpes virus, it raises the risk of HIV infection by as much as 69%.

HIV Test and STD risks

The research shouldn’t be shrugged off – especially when genital herpes has been classed as spreading at epidemic proportions, with a half million per year in the States being infected, and statistics suggesting as many as one in six American adults have the virus. If you have genital herpes, you should consider taking an HIV test.

Researchers investigate Herpes drug

The link between the two viruses prompted researchers to find out if taking a drug that deals with herpes infections could help reduce the likelihood of becoming infected with the AIDS virus. The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre in Seattle raised questions about whether the herpes drug acyclovir would reduce the risk of infection. But the HIV test on a series of volunteers showed that the drug had no impact on the risks.

Open sores ‘doorway’ for HIV virus

The results of the HIV tests and research were disappointing as scientists were hoping to find a drug that could help reduce the risks of the virus. Their findings showed on tests of 3,000 volunteers with genital herpes that the drug had no impact on HIV test results. It’s thought having genital herpes increases the risk of HIV so dramatically because of the suppurating blisters that are symptoms of herpes – the open sores providing a ‘doorway to the body’ for the AIDS virus.

Take an HIV Test – Keeping the virus under control

Although, like HIV, there is no cure for herpes, drugs can help treat and suppress the disease. Taking an HIV test is crucial to ensure you are sexually healthy and not putting others at risk. HIV is still an epidemic – the AIDS virus infects around 33 million people globally and has killed 25 million. Although there is no cure, an HIV test can help prolong your life if you do have the virus – you can protect others using condoms and take a series of drug treatments to keep it under control.

Looking for an HIV test? CITYDOC can help
For a complete range of STD tests, including an HIV test, London based CITYDOC is ideally and discreetly located in the City of London for fast, professional and discreet service. Based at the junction of City Road and Finsbury Square, CITYDOC is open for walk-in patients or you can book your appointment by contacting the practice now on 0207 256 8668. The clinic offers full sexual screens for men and women. If you are thinking about an HIV Test, contact CITYDOC today.

 

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