Medicine: Herpes: The New Sexual Leprosy

"Viruses of love " infect millions with disease and despair

Susan, 29, a Ph.D. in English literature from Harvard, knew her boyfriend had a herpes infection and consulted her gynecologist about the safety of having intercourse. The doctor reassured her that herpes was only contagious if her partner had festering sores. Susan slept with her friend, who had no obvious signs, and within a week got herpes.

Don, 47, an engineer, succumbed to the temptation of a local lady while on a job in Asia and woke one morning to find a cluster of ugly...

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