They look real. Flyers urging students to get tested for herpes after a recent outbreak even bear the University Health Center logo.

But officials at the health center said it’s just a hoax.

“This is not coming from the University Health Center,” said Liz Rachun, health communications coordinator at the health center. “Somebody’s playing a joke.”

The flyers on campus accurately report the facts of herpes such as symptoms like a burning, tingling sensation where a sore is forming, blisters and that 90 percent of individuals may not be aware they have it.

Rachun said herpes is always an issue, but there has been no outbreak on campus.

“We are certainly not seeing an increase in the number of cases,” said Michelle Cohen, sexual health coordinator. “I’m frustrated that someone or some organization is trying to scare people.” Fear tactics, Cohen said, aren’t an effective way to educate people.

While the jesters remain at large, the theory that the flyers represent contemporary art remains a possibility.

Mark Callahan, a professional at the Lamar Dodd School of Art, often has the students in his Introduction to Art and Technology class display their projects – which sometimes take the form of signs or flyers – around campus.

“The goal of the exercise is to make students aware of the many avenues for communication that exist outside of traditional art galleries,” Callahan said in an e-mail.

After speaking to his students, Callahan found out these flyers were part of the project and told them to take them down immediately.

“I can’t begin to understand why someone would do this,” said Thomas Burke, associate vice president in the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs.

Health center officials said they will continue to put out accurate information.

For any questions, students can contact the University Health Center at 706-542-1162 or visit www.uhs.uga.edu.