People with Asthma or Psoriasis Far More Likely to Use Daily Regimen
Results of a new survey reveal that people with genital herpes do not take suppressive therapy for their condition - one of the most reported sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the United States1 - as frequently as those with other common, chronic conditions, such as asthma and psoriasis. The survey was commissioned by the National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC), a leading national women's health organization, to help educate consumers about genital herpes during STD Awareness Month.
The survey's findings suggest that more than twice as many patients with asthma who are aware of suppressive therapy use it on a regular basis to manage their condition than do similar patients with genital herpes (46 percent versus 16 percent).2 This despite research showing suppressive therapy in many patients can help reduce the frequency of genital herpes outbreaks. In addition, of all the respondents, genital herpes patients had the highest incidence of not doing anything to manage their condition (28 percent), followed by asthma (6 percent) and psoriasis (5 percent).3
Genital herpes is one of the most common STDs in the U.S.4 A lifelong viral infection with no known cure5, it is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).6 HSV-1 is the virus that primarily causes cold sores in the mouth while HSV-2 is mostly transmitted sexually and is usually the primary cause of genital herpes.7 Although genital herpes is highly infectious and affects about one in five Americans (nearly 50 million Americans), an estimated 90 percent of those people affected do not know they are infected.8
The survey found that 77 percent of genital herpes patients are aware that suppressive therapy can reduce the number of their outbreaks.9 Despite a high awareness rate among genital herpes patients of suppressive therapy benefits, 43 percent of patients reported they do not take advantage of suppressive therapy because they do not like taking medication when no symptoms are present.10
"A diagnosis of genital herpes may affect the patient both physically and emotionally," said Amy Niles, President and CEO of the National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC). "Carrying out this survey gives us more insight into patients' feelings about their genital herpes, thereby helping us create a climate where patients maybe more comfortable discussing treatment options with their health care professional."
According to material on genital herpes at the NWHRC's website, www.healthywomen.org, suppressive therapy can reduce the number of genital herpes recurrences or outbreaks in many patients. Suppressive therapy involves daily medication, even when symptoms are not present.
The survey was conducted by the Roper Public Affairs & Media Practice of NOP Worldwide, with headquarters in New York, NY. During February and March 2004, Roper surveyed 600 people via telephone - 300 adults doctor-diagnosed with genital herpes and 300 adults doctor-diagnosed as having health conditions that can be treated with suppressive therapy including asthma or psoriasis. The margin of sampling error in the survey was +/- 6 percentage points in the genital herpes group and +/- 8 percentage points in the asthma and psoriasis groups. The survey, commissioned by the National Women's Health Research Center, was supported by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation.
Since the late 1980s, the National Women's Health Resource Center, Inc., (NWHRC) has helped millions of women educate themselves about the health topics that concern them the most. The non-profit organization, dedicated to helping women make informed decisions about their health, encourages women to embrace healthy lifestyles to promote wellness and prevent disease. The information they provide is comprehensive, objective and reviewed by leading medical and health experts. For more information about the NWHRC, please visit www.healthywomen.org.
References:
1. Ref. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tracking The Hidden Epidemic.
2. Roper Public Affairs & Media Practice of NOP Worldwide, Famvir Genital Herpes Survey
3. Roper Public Affairs & Media Practice of NOP Worldwide, Famvir Genital Herpes Survey
4. Ref. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tracking The Hidden Epidemic.
5. World Health Organization. Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2: Programmatic and Research Priorities in Developing Countries. Introduction. Page 4.
6. Ref. American Social Health Association www.ashastd.org, "Get the Facts." Page 1.
7. Ref. American Social Health Association www.ashastd.org, "Get the Facts." Page 1.
8. Ref. American Social Health Association www.ashastd.org, "Get the Facts." Page 2.
9. Roper Public Affairs & Media Practice of NOP Worldwide, Famvir Genital Herpes Survey
10. Roper Public Affairs & Media Practice of NOP Worldwide, Famvir Genital Herpes Survey
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Contact: Beverly Dame
NWHRC
bdame@healthywomen.org
802-626-4294
