The immense stigma associated with having an STD, and in this case, HSV2, affects not only the person who’s diagnosed but is also commonly the reason why those who transmit their infection to others flee. The stigma associated with having a sexually transmitted infection and then the shame of transmitting it to someone else can […]
HSV – No One Treats Me Differently – STI Interviews
An incredible example of how support – caring, thoughtful, and educational support – can be the difference between an emotional tailspin upon a new diagnosis and a calm, worry-free reaction. It’s never easy to share one’s story, and each person must decide with whom to share it and how to do so (anonymously, with a […]
Genital Herpes & Vaginitis – My Perspective Changed – STI Interviews
A lot of folks tend to focus on the who, what, and why when diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection or disease. They want to know who they got it from, what they did (or didn’t do) to put them at risk, and why them. While it’s understandable to want answers, often, the details are […]
Herpes – My Biggest Fear is Judgment from Friends – STI Interviews
Interviews like this one remind me how important it is to continue advocating for comprehensive safer sex education. Unfortunately, it’s the norm rather than the exception that people get diagnosed and know very little about how they contracted an infection – testing, transmission, risk, you name it; most people know very little about STDs, in […]
What is my risk of contracting herpes? Herpes Transmission Risk II
Acquired Immune Response This is where herpes transmission risk gets a little more complicated. There are 9 types of the human herpes virus: HHV1 and HHV2 are the types known as herpes simplex viruses (HSV type 1 and HSV type 2); HHV3 is know as varicella-zoster, the type that causes chickenpox and shingles, or herpes […]
What is my risk of spreading herpes? Herpes Transmission Risk
One of the most common questions we receive is about herpes transmission and the risk of spreading the virus to a new partner. HSV1 & HSV2 is transmitted via skin-to-skin contact – not bodily fluids, blood, surfaces, towels, bedding, toilets, or otherwise, just skin-to-skin contact. From there, inoculation must also occur for the infection to […]
How many outbreaks will I get? Herpes Outbreaks
HSV affects everyone a little differently. Some people are bothered by frequent cold sores and/or genital herpes outbreaks, and others are not. How much of a physical impact the virus has on someone’s body is primarily the result of four factors: how well a person’s immune system is able to combat the infection, how long […]
What is the difference between HSV1 & HSV2? Oral and Genital Herpes
In telling a new partner about a genital herpes infection, it’s common to compare cold sores – an oral herpes infection – with a genital one. However, is that really a good comparison? The emotional and social attitudes surrounding the two infections are wildly different, and those perceptions alone can make an objective comparison and […]