Herpes: what's your STI IQ?

What do you know about genital herpes? Test yourself with this quiz.

1. Genital herpes is a contagious viral infection that affects _______ people.

a) 1 in 4000
b) 1 in 400
c) 1 in 40
d) 1 in 14
e) 1 in 4

2. This percentage of people have genital herpes but are unaware of their disease:

a) 20%
b) 30%
c) 50%
d) 60%
e) 80%

3. Symptoms of genital herpes can include:

a) blisters or sores on the genitals, thighs, or anal area
b) an itching or burning sensation
c) fever, headache, and muscle aches
d) pain in the legs, buttocks, or genital area
e) all of the above

4. Which of the following is true about genital herpes recurrences?

a) recurrences tend to be shorter than the first episode
b) recurrences tend to be less severe than the first episode
c) medications can help to reduce the frequency of recurrences
d) the number of recurrences per year tends to decrease over time
e) all of the above

5. To avoid spreading herpes to other people, you should:

a) avoid sex when there are sores present
b) use safer sex practices (such as condoms or dental dams) at all times
c) wash hands after contact with the sores
d) ask your doctor whether medication therapy is right for you
e) all of the above

Answers: If you answered "e" for all the questions - congratulations! You scored 100%.