Sexual Health + Identity

Routine Herpes Tests Are No Longer Recommended by Doctors

Find out why a ‘federal task force’ wants you to stop getting tested for genital herpes (unless you have symptoms).

STD screening is very important part of being sexually active (or if you think you might become sexually active soon). Young people make up 25% of the sexually active population in our country, but account for almost 50% of all new STD cases each year. That's a pretty compelling reason to make sure you get tested — and know your partner's history too, especially since some STDs don't have physical symptoms at all.

However, HealthDay reported that a U.S. federal task force is now recommending that teens, adults, and pregnant women pass on routine herpes screenings if they don't exhibit signs of infection. Because herpes itself is incurable (but with treatable symptoms), new studies have found that early screening has very little benefits.

Dr. Maureen Phipps, chairwoman of obstetrics and gynecology at Brown University, explained, "Because there's no cure, there isn't much doctors and nurses can do for people who don't have symptoms."

But just because doctors might be doing away with routine screenings doesn't mean that you can't protect yourself. You should know that herpes is an extremely common STD — nearly two-thirds of the entire world's population has it. Both types of herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2) can be spread by skin-to-skin contact. Symptoms can include cold sores around the mouth (oral herpes), and blisters, burning, and itching (genital herpes). If you think you have the symptoms of herpes, it is important to know that you are not alone and you should talk to a doctor or nurse if you are concerned.

Related: 9 Things You Should Know About Genital Herpes, From Someone Who Has It

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