Connecting COVID-19 and Herpes: A Simple Comparison
Never did I ever think that I would be connecting herpes to a global pandemic, but here I am🤷🏻♀️🌎. After @dating_in_seattle’s informative article in @seattletimes, I wanted to provide a basic (like, suuuuper basic) overview connecting COVID & Herpes, because their connection matters in how we inform & educate the global population.
There is a lot of information in this diagram so I’ll break everything down below:
Similarities:
•Currently no cure
•Can present with or without symptoms
•Can transmit with or without symptoms
•Positive diagnosis linked with stigma and potential shame
•Barriers (masks, condoms, dental dams) help reduce transmission
Herpes:
•Transmitted through skin-to-skin contact (ex. Penetrative sex, oral sex, kissing, etc.)
•Not deadly to adults, but can be deadly to a baby during delivery if birther has herpes (AKA neonatal herpes AKA why it’s important to discuss a birthing plan with your doctor); managed by antivirals and treatment can lower risk of complications
•Testing methods include culture, PCR, and type-specific serology
COVID:
•Transmitted through close personal contact through touch and/or air particles (coughing, sneezing, etc.)
•80% recover without needing hospital treatment, 20% become seriously ill and need oxygen, and 5% become critically ill needing intensive care
•Testing methods include PCR and rapid tests
Receiving either a herpes or COVID diagnosis is likely to bring up feelings around one’s self-worth. Especially how they are both discussed in the media. Receiving a positive herpes or COVID doesn’t make you a shitty human being, and it doesn’t equate your worth to the virus or infection, either.
Ella Dawson (@brosandprose) was one of the first to really make the connection around how triggering COVID is for those with herpes, and any condition or diagnosis, really. So please consider following & supporting her work!
PS I am NOT a COVID expert. I retrieved this information from @who & @cdcgov