Why is there such a stigma for genital herpes?

Question

If a cold sore in the mouth is viewed as a temporary discomfort and is generally accepted...
Why is a cold sore on the genitals something that ruins your life?
Don't anyone try to tell me that they are different. Because they are not. Both HSV1 and HSV2 can be in either the mouth, genitals, fingers, or eyes. If you don't know this, then look it up. It is true.
So... why the stigma? Most genital herpes cases are caught from oral sex, usually man to woman.
So, why the stigma? Why is a genital cold sore a "life ruining" event? I just don't get it.

Answer 1

I think there is a big stigma about it because it's the genital area which is kind of a "hush hush" area to begin with, and because it's a private area for that person and anyone they have sex with.

I think people see "genital herpes" and automatically think "STD" and that the person must have slept around and is dirty (which is not true at all). Yes, it is a STD, but that doesn't mean the person slept with 100s of people. All it takes is having sex with ONE person to get genital herpes (or any STD for that matter).

I personally think it is one of the better STDs out there. Of course having no STDs is the best, but genital herpes is nothing compared to other STDs out there! It's not deadly, it doesn't cause cancer, it won't cause infertility or sterility, and it doesn't cause PID and ectopic pregnancies. The sores can be VERY painful, don't get me wrong, but they heal!

I have had genital herpes for 7 years and although it hasn't been a walk in the park, it certainly hasn't "ruined my life" like some people like to think. I have had several, healthy, great, relationships including a 4 year relationship with a man who never even contracted the virus from me, and my current relationship with my fiance of 2 years. I have a wonderful life, with a great family and friends and I couldn't be happier.

People just like to be judgmental, plain and simple. If they would take the time to educate themselves about the virus or even get to know someone who has it I'm sure they would be more open and more accepting about it. Take care!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

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Answer 5

I agree. The social stigma is absurd ... but remember it stems from ignorance and a lack of education about the virus.

I have genital herpes type 1 which I contracted from someone who was prone to cold sores (and no they didn't have an outbreak at the time). It is exactly the same virus, just that the location of the outbreaks are different.

Sometimes I think people are more tolerant of the AIDS virus than they are of genital herpes ... but then there have been mass campaigns in the media to educate people about aids and anti-discrimination laws to protect them.

I actually run a dating site in Australia for people with herpes. While telling a male friend about my website he asked "What happens when you meet a guy? I mean you can't exactly tell them you run a herpes dating site."... to which I answered "Why not? I wouldn't want to go out with someone that was so narrow in their thinking that they couldn't accept it".

Re: the earlier post, I have heard that babies can die from the virus - but they can also die from the common cold! You can also protect your baby by having a caeserian rather than natural delivery.

There is actually a great herpes awareness campaign being run in Australia at the moment by the Australian Herpes Management Forum. It puts it in a positive light and positions it as a very common and everyday part of life - which it is given that 1 in 8 adults have genital herpes. Have a look at this link (it's a PDF file so will ask you to open or save): http://www.ahmf.com.au/media/AHMF_Media_Kit_National_Herpes_Awareness_Day_2007.pdf

Harmony
http://www.harmonyonline.com.au

Answer 6

My best friend has had genital herpes for about eight months now, and it's been really rough. She's had about 7 outbreaks. Everywhere I read it says it stops flaring up so much after time, but its not getting less frequent for her. She's been on Antiviral meds the whole time, too. She also has type 1 diabetes which she has had her whole life, which really weakens her immune system. Will it ever get better?

But after a friend share this video everything has changed.
Natural Safe Herpes Remedy?

Answer 7

No one said either was a life ruining event. You can plainly see when someone has a cold sore on their lip and make a conscious decision not to kiss them...unless you do a thorough search before engaging in risky unprotected sex, you may never know if a partner has herpes. HSV can have serious implications during pregnancy and to a newborn-that is why most women who are HSV positive are delivered via C/S so that the infant is not unduly exposed coming thru the birth canal. A herpes infection can be fatal to a newborn...

Chlamydia can be easily treated with antibiotics much like strep throat, but that doesn't mean I want it...

Answer 8

herpes is more inconvenient than life ruining because of the pain and itchyness people go through while having an outbreak. i aggre with the above answer specially the dating part. my bf has been wonderful because i may have herpes. i think the stigma comes from how people were taught about sex ed some people continue to think that if u have an std u must be a sl*t or have slept with someone dirty. i wish people would stop being ignorant about this. i think herpes is more common than aids, i read somewhere that 75-85% of the poplulation has some form of it.

Answer 9

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Answer 10

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