do i need to report if patient says he has herpes

by Barrett Feeney 9 min read

CDC – Genital Herpes Screening

23 hours ago Even if you do not have symptoms, you should talk openly and honestly about your sexual history with your doctor to find out if you should be tested for any STDs, including herpes. Although CDC does not recommend that everyone get tested for herpes, herpes testing may … >> Go To The Portal


Should herpes be reported to the health department?

Syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia are “notifiable” diseases in the United States, but herpes is not. A disease is “notifiable” if healthcare providers in all 50 states are required by law to report the diagnosis to their state or local health departments.

Do you have to disclose herpes status?

No, it is not illegal to not tell someone you have herpes. However, if you are in an intimate relationship with someone, it is best to let your partner know that you have an STD.

Why is herpes not a reportable disease?

Any data the government could gather on genital herpes and HPV cases would be incomplete. Most people who are infected don't even realize that they have the diseases, so there's no way for doctors to diagnose them.

Do Stds need to be reported?

In California, health care providers who have diagnosed, or suspect the presence of, a sexually transmitted disease (STD) in their patient are legally required to report that information to the local health department.

Is giving someone herpes a crime?

In California, exposing another person to a sexually transmitted disease can be a criminal offense.

Can you sue someone for knowingly giving you herpes?

Yes, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against someone who infected you with herpes. You can sue even if the sex was consensual. The lawsuit would claim that the transmitter was negligent. He or she could have prevented the transmission of their herpes, but failed to do so.

What STDs must be reported to CDC?

The Department of Public Health mandates reporting of 5 STDs; syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, neonatal herpes, and chancroid. Surveillance activities are conducted on the 3 most common STDs; syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia, all of which can be cured with proper treatment.

Why isn't herpes a standard STD test?

The only accurate test for herpes is a culture of an active sore or ulcer. So, if you don't have active symptoms, you shouldn't get tested. Herpes is spread by skin-to-skin contact. It's highly contagious and simply not that big of a deal.

What illnesses should be reported?

Diseases reportable to the CDC include:Anthrax.Arboviral diseases (diseases caused by viruses spread by mosquitoes, sandflies, ticks, etc.) such as West Nile virus, eastern and western equine encephalitis.Babesiosis.Botulism.Brucellosis.Campylobacteriosis.Chancroid.Chickenpox.More items...•

What happens if an STD test is positive?

Positive test results If you test positive for an STI , the next step is to consider further testing and then get treatment as recommended by your doctor. In addition, inform your sex partners. Your partners need to be evaluated and treated, because you can pass some infections back and forth.

Does the CDC contact you if you have an STD?

All patients diagnosed with an STD are covered by patient confidentiality, and specially trained health department staff conduct contact tracing and partner notification while maintaining confidentiality. These activities are widely seen as effective in reducing the STD burden in communities and are supported by CDC.

Does syphilis have to be reported?

As a provider, you need to be aware that all 50 states require that syphilis cases be reported to the state or local public health agency so that it can take action to find and treat exposed persons.

Is There A Link Between Genital Herpes and Oral Herpes?

Oral herpes caused by HSV-1 can be spread from the mouth to the genitals through oral sex(https://www.cdc.gov/std/healthcomm/stdfact-stdriskandoral...

How Common Is Genital Herpes?

Genital herpes is common in the United States. More than one out of every six people aged 14 to 49 years have genital herpes.

How Is Genital Herpes Spread?

You can get genital herpes by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the disease.If you do not have herpes, you can get infected if...

How Can I Reduce My Risk of Getting Genital Herpes?

The only way to avoid STDs is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex.If you are sexually active, you can do the following things to lower your chan...

I’M pregnant. How Could Genital Herpes Affect My Baby?

If you are pregnant and have genital herpes, it is very important for you to go to prenatal care visits. Tell your doctor if you have ever had symp...

How Do I Know If I Have Genital Herpes?

Most people who have genital herpes have no symptoms, or have very mild symptoms. You may not notice mild symptoms or you may mistake them for anot...

How Will My Doctor Know If I Have Herpes?

Your healthcare provider may diagnose genital herpes by simply looking at your symptoms. Providers can also take a sample from the sore(s) and test...

What Happens If I Don’T Get Treated?

Genital herpes can cause painful genital sores and can be severe in people with suppressed immune systems.If you touch your sores or the fluids fro...

Can I Still Have Sex If I Have Herpes?

If you have herpes, you should talk to your sex partner(s) and let him or her know that you do and the risk involved. Using condoms may help lower...

What Is The Link Between Genital Herpes and HIV?

Herpes infection can cause sores or breaks in the skin or lining of the mouth, vagina, and rectum. This provides a way for HIV to enter the body. E...