Doctors, patients lack herpes information

EDMONTON, Alberta, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- A Canadian survey of 400 patients with herpes and 200 family doctors found both groups are poorly informed about the viral infection.

The survey, published ahead of print in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections, found both doctors and patients underestimated the risks of passing on the infection during periods when there are no obvious outward symptoms.

Doctors surveyed estimated that 45 percent of genital infections are passed on when there are no symptoms, while patients thought this happened in 51 percent of cases. The actual figure is 70 percent, the study authors said in a statement.

Areas where the doctors and patients had divergent opinions were:

-- The doctors overestimated the ongoing emotional impact of herpes infection it but after primary diagnosis patients were more distressed about the frequency of recurrent bouts.

-- Passing on the infection to someone else was more important to patients than doctors thought.

-- Taking antiviral treatment for their infection. Doctors thought 75 percent of patients take antiviral medication but in reality 29 percent did.