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Good question Pianaman - and I notice there's no response yet. I can recall the pre-HIV days when herpes was heralded as the great plague - of course the former eclipsed it. I think the problem is greater than your post suggests in that I believe oral herpes can be transferred to genitals so even the noble blow job is risky. Reading elsewhere suggests there is neither cure nor immunisation available.

A while ago I posted an extract from (or reference to) an article published in the US where a pornstar claimed all pornstars (presumably her experience was in the US only) suffered from the problem. Hell - I hope not but it still seems to be a tabloo subject - unless anyone knows otherwise

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus.

There is currently no vaccine for the virus, although glaxosmithkline are trialling one at the moment, the results of which will be released in approx. 2006/7.

Treatments include zovirax- both oral and ointment which help lessen eruptions and pain associated with symptoms.

The problem is that herpes can lie dormant for ages (and still be transmitted to other individuals) and be transmitted from mouth to genitals.

Theres been a fairly sharp increase in female herpes simplex 2 virus in the last couple of years. Nationally about 5% of women carry this virus. About 3% of males have it and theres a significant increase of oral herpes type 1 virus being transferred tothe genitals, increased popularity of blow jobs?
It's expected a good treatment will be a long time coming, cos this just isn't top of the nasty virus list. Unless you happen to have it.

Oral and genital herpes are actually two different variants of the same species of virus - HSV1 and HSV2. In the majority of cases the oral and genital diseases are different and stay in the parts of the body they are best adapted to, but apparently the incidence of HSV1 spreading to the genitals from oral transmission is increasing - supposedly due to people experimenting sexually at earlier ages without protection (though that may be more an asumption than a proven fact). There have also been cases of HSV2 spreading to the mouth.

I was just wondering what the prevelence of herpes is in the sex industry? If it's impossible to prevent, even using condoms, are performers aware of how to spot symptoms and do they feel able to say no if they feel at risk with a performer who looks like they are having a flare up. It's not even something you could certificate against as it is dormant 95% of the time and people who are symptom free are safe until it breaks out again.

You're asking a very good question piano man.
I'm not sure, but I'd think a test for herpes is the last thing on any geneticy-biochemists mind. I'm sure I saw latest advice on department of health web site that the virus may be transmitted even when symptoms are not present. Seems to me like this is an excellent topic for a bit of research. If any sex industry subjects willing to take part could be found, that is. ( By the way, please, nobody think I'm trying to be funny about this, disease, I know what an awful experience it can be) . I predict results would be of a very cautionary nature for us all.

"transmitted without symptoms present" - that I've not heard of before.

Yes it does merit more research - it can be very painful and distressing for those who have it (I'm told).

Unfortunately, my memory was correct. Just checked, HPA website really does say this virus can be transmitted when no symptoms showing.