Herpes Simplex Virus

Dear Dr Williams-Green,

If you can reach the young man devastated by a diagnosis of HSV-1, please suggest that his girlfriend has a blood test too. Since, as you pointed out, it is indeed very common - rising to almost 90 per cent in some populations - it is very likely that she carries the virus and, therefore, the two of them don't have to worry at all as they will not reinfect each other. In the UK, this test costs about £25. There must be laboratories in Jamaica which can provide the service.

You may like to check out our website and refer any enquirers to it. It is different from others, in that it is written by patients, who have friendly contact with top herpes simplex specialists, so the facts are right while the presentation of these facts is friendly. See address below.

Marian Nicholson

HVA, 41 North Road, London N7 9DP,www.hva.org.uk

Dear Ms Nicholson

The test is available in Jamaica at most medical laboratories at a reasonable price. You are quite right that many persons may have been exposed to the virus without being aware. I visited your website and it does offer some information on the herpes simplex virus and other similar viruses. I note that this site is UK-based and that further advice is available at a cost.

Dr Pauline Williams-Green

President, Caribbean College of Family Physicians

Send questions and comments to our health specialists at Your Health, c/o The Gleaner, 7 North Street, Kingston; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com. Unless otherwise indicated, letters and the specialists' responses are usually published.