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Saturday, August 11, 2012

Herpes Stigma: Shocking Results From a Harris Poll Show Public Ignorance

The herpes stigma attached to the genital herpes virus is completely out of proportion with the actual physical virus. Genital herpes is an extremely widespread virus infecting roughly 45-50 million men and women in the United States. However its side effects, although occasionally uncomfortable, Torker unicycle are hardly ever greater than annoying or painful. Herpes is among the most ridiculed and stigmatized viruses today.

A Harris Interactive opinion poll that was conducted in 2007 with almost 2000 participants. They consisted of 1,400 individuals who said that they did not have genital herpes as well as approximately 500 that stated that they were positive for herpes. The interactive poll exposed a number of unbelievable results.

The participant's were asked about their relationships and their particular common opinions about the herpes simplex virus - 2. Out with all the different sexually transmitted diseases in the United States, most people jointly rated it second for social stigma. Basically HIV rated more significant.

Among the many individuals who had genital herpes, 39% stated they were bothered by social stigma surrounding genital herpes.

From the 500 individuals who reported having herpes outbreaks, 38% said they had actually made up a reason in order to avoid having sex during an outbreak, rather than informing their partner about their condition.

Regrettably due to the very negative stigma, many people stated they'd steer clear of having a romantic relationship with somebody and split up with a partner that has HSV-2.

If this type of study is an accurate representation of the viewpoint of the majority of the Americans, then it quite frankly saddens me to learn that many people are so ignorant and misguided that they might avoid having a romantic relationship with somebody with herpes or split up with a partner who has the virus. Out of all the stuff that will go wrong within a relationship, this virus should to be so far down the list that it's almost hidden.

Genital herpes can be safely and successfully treated, and outbreaks can be considerably lowered through a variety of medicines, healthy and balanced eating habits, as well as, a normally healthy lifestyle. Nevertheless there is absolutely no treatment plan to cover up the herpes stigma that is covered upon those of us that have this particular aggravating skin condition.

If you have the genital herpes virus and are currently in a romantic relationship with someone who is negative then you are invited to participate in our own herpes stigma poll. Click Here to answer the poll question

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