Understanding and Addressing the Stigma Around Herpes

The stigma surrounding herpes simplex virus (HSV) stems largely from misinformation and cultural attitudes about sexually transmitted infections (STIs). HSV is a common virus, with over two-thirds of the global population under 50 having HSV-1 and about 13% having HSV-2, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Despite this, herpes often carries a disproportionate social stigma compared to other similar conditions.