Herpes And Life Insurance: What's The Real Impact?

Living with Herpes

Herpes is a common infection that affects millions of people worldwide. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus, which has two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. While HSV-1 mostly causes oral herpes, it can also lead to genital herpes. On the other hand, HSV-2 is the primary cause of genital herpes and is transmitted through sexual contact. Despite the physical discomfort and emotional distress associated with herpes, it is important to know that the condition is manageable, and those affected can still lead normal and fulfilling lives. This article will explore the impact of a herpes diagnosis on life insurance options and provide valuable insights for individuals seeking coverage.

Can you get life insurance if you have herpes?

Yes, individuals with herpes can qualify for a traditional term or whole life insurance policy. This is because herpes is not usually a life-threatening illness and is unlikely to cause any "complications" that would worry a life insurance underwriter about an individual's long-term health.

However, it is important to note that having herpes may affect the specific life insurance application process and policy. While most life insurance companies are not overly concerned about an individual having herpes, the condition will still need to be disclosed during the application process. Failing to disclose this information may result in the insurance company cancelling the policy if they find out later.

Additionally, the overall health of the individual applying for life insurance is taken into consideration. If an individual is in excellent health aside from their herpes condition, they will likely receive a preferred rating and pay lower premiums. On the other hand, if an individual has a serious medical condition related to their herpes infection, this may impact their life insurance application and the rates they are offered.

It is recommended to work with an experienced life insurance agent who can help individuals with herpes find the most favourable policies and companies.

How does having herpes affect the cost of life insurance?

Having herpes does not seem to significantly affect the cost of life insurance. While it is true that any medical condition can make it harder to get life insurance and may result in higher premiums, herpes is not seen by insurers as a serious or life-threatening illness. Therefore, it will have a minimal effect on a life insurance application, if any at all.

If you are in excellent overall health aside from your herpes diagnosis, you will likely get a rating of Preferred + and pay the lowest possible premium. This makes a strong case for ensuring your health is otherwise excellent. That means maintaining a proper ratio of weight to height, eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and having regular physicals and doctor visits as needed.

When it comes to term life insurance, herpes should not prevent you from getting the coverage you need to protect your loved ones. However, it is important to be honest on your application. Insurance companies do require blood and urine samples from prospective policyholders, so they are likely to find out about your herpes diagnosis. Moreover, failing to disclose a health condition on a life insurance application can lead to more questions later on and may even result in the decline of your policy.

What are the medical costs of treating herpes?

The medical costs of treating herpes can vary depending on several factors, including the type of herpes, the severity of symptoms, and the specific treatment methods used. Here is an overview of the costs associated with treating herpes:

Initial STI Testing and Condoms:

Condoms are recommended for those with genital herpes to reduce the risk of transmitting the infection to others. The cost of condoms should be factored in when discussing herpes treatment costs. On average, a single condom costs $1, so the total cost will depend on sexual activity over time.

Antiviral Medications:

Antiviral medications are commonly used to treat genital herpes by reducing the frequency and severity of outbreaks. The cost of antiviral medication can vary depending on whether it is a generic or brand-name drug. The average cost of a brand-name antiviral for a 30-tablet supply is $545.45, while the generic version costs around $116.72. Valacyclovir tends to be the most expensive antiviral option, while Acyclovir is typically the most affordable. It's important to note that the cost of antivirals can range from $23.77 to $818.06, and insurance coverage may impact out-of-pocket expenses.

Lab Testing and Medical Examinations:

Medical examinations and lab tests are often necessary for diagnosing and monitoring genital herpes. The cost of clinical visits can vary, but on average, the initial visit associated with a genital herpes diagnosis costs around $220 for females and $168 for males. Subsequent clinical visits for females are approximately $153, while males pay around $146. It's important to note that these costs may not include additional expenses for lab tests or other diagnostic procedures.

Lifetime Medical Costs:

Genital herpes is a lifelong condition, and the costs of treatment can accumulate over time. According to a study by Eppink et al. (2021), the present value of lifetime direct medical costs of genital herpes was estimated to be $972 per treated case or $165 per infection (in 2019 dollars). This estimate includes the costs of clinical visits, medications, and potential hospitalization but excludes costs related to prevention or treatment of neonatal herpes. The clinical visit for the initial diagnosis accounted for 27% of the total lifetime costs, while subsequent clinical visits and medications contributed an additional 13% and 60%, respectively.

Indirect Costs:

In addition to direct medical costs, there are indirect costs associated with genital herpes, such as lost productivity due to illness or travel and waiting times for physician visits. These indirect costs can add up to a significant economic burden on society.

Complications and Hospitalization:

Genital herpes can lead to various complications, including extragenital lesions, aseptic meningitis, herpes simplex encephalitis, and neonatal herpes. The costs of treating these complications can be substantial and may require hospitalization, further increasing the financial burden.

How does herpes affect pregnancy?

If you are pregnant and have genital herpes, it is understandable to be concerned about the risk of spreading the infection to your baby. However, it is important to know that the risk of transmission is extremely small, especially if you have had herpes for some time.

Herpes is a common health condition, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimating that approximately 22% of pregnant women in the US have genital herpes. Of these, 2% contract it during pregnancy. While herpes is generally manageable in adults, it can cause serious health problems in newborns. However, this is rare, with less than 0.1% of babies born in the United States each year getting neonatal herpes.

If a woman with genital herpes has the virus present in the birth canal during delivery, the herpes simplex virus (HSV) can be spread to the infant, causing neonatal herpes, a serious and sometimes fatal condition. This can result in an overwhelming infection leading to lasting damage to the central nervous system, mental retardation, or death. Medication, if given early, may help prevent or reduce lasting damage, but even with antiviral medication, this infection has serious consequences for most infected infants.

Understanding the Risks

Babies are most at risk for neonatal herpes if the mother contracts genital herpes late in pregnancy. This is because a new infection is frequently active, increasing the possibility that the virus will be present in the birth canal during delivery. Additionally, a newly infected mother does not have antibodies against the virus, so there is no natural protection for the baby during birth.

On the other hand, women who have genital herpes before becoming pregnant have a very low risk of transmitting the virus to their babies. Their immune systems produce antibodies that are temporarily passed to the baby through the placenta, offering protection during delivery.

Managing Genital Herpes During Pregnancy

If you are pregnant and have genital herpes, it is important to disclose this information to your obstetrician or midwife. They can then take the necessary precautions to reduce the risk of infection for your baby during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

During pregnancy, it is advisable to watch for symptoms of the virus becoming active, such as tingling, itching, or burning around the area where a sore will eventually appear. If you have a history of herpes or test positive for it, your healthcare provider may prescribe antiviral medication to reduce the risk of spreading the virus or having an outbreak around the time of delivery. Antiviral medications are considered safe during pregnancy and can also be given to your baby if needed.

When you go into labor, your healthcare provider will carefully examine you for genital lesions. If there are any signs of an outbreak, a Cesarean section will likely be recommended to bypass any potential contact with the virus in the birth canal. If there are no symptoms or sores in the genital region, a vaginal delivery may be safe.

Protecting Your Newborn

To further protect your newborn from getting herpes, it is recommended to avoid sex and oral sex during the last few weeks of pregnancy if your partner has herpes. While condoms can reduce the risk of transmission, they are not 100% effective. Additionally, ensure that anyone who wants to hold or touch your newborn washes their hands first and does not have a cold sore or a recent history of cold sores.

In summary, while herpes can affect pregnancy and there is a risk of transmission to the baby, it is important to remember that the risk is small, especially with proper management and medical care. Most women with genital herpes go on to have healthy babies.

How common is herpes?

Herpes is a very common condition. Oral herpes, or HSV-1, affects 50 to 80% of American adults and 64.2% of people under 50 globally. It is usually contracted during childhood or young adulthood through non-sexual contact with saliva. It causes cold sores or fever blisters in or around the mouth.

Genital herpes, caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2, affects one in every six people in the US aged 14 to 49. Globally, it is estimated that 13.3% of people aged 15 to 49 have genital herpes. It is usually transmitted through intimate person-to-person contact, such as vaginal, anal, or oral sex. In 2018, there were an estimated 572,000 new genital herpes infections in the US among people aged 14 to 49.

Most people with herpes have no symptoms or only mild symptoms, and many are unaware they have the infection. However, the virus can still be spread to others, even when there are no visible sores or blisters. Symptoms of an outbreak of herpes include painful blisters or ulcers that can recur over time. These blisters may break open, ooze, and then crust over. Other symptoms can include fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes.

While herpes is a common condition, it is important to note that it is a lifelong infection. However, the frequency and severity of outbreaks tend to decline over time. Treatment with antiviral medications can help reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks, but there is currently no cure for herpes.

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