Debunking Myths: The Science vs. Socialization of Herpes
People loooove to talk. I made a similar post that generally addressed the science vs. socialization of herpes that was well-received by this audience, so I wanted to revive the series with a more fixed focus for this post—the science versus socialization of people with herpes.
These are common exchanges you might here among friends upon learning someone has herpes, or even in friend group discussing the latest gossip around a celebrity speculated to be living with herpes or another STI.
Socialization: “she told me she had herpes so she’s definitely slept around.” (Someone’s herpes status isn’t an indicator of their sex life, sexual frequency, or number of partners. Plus, someone sharing their status with you is a sign of a sex-positive partner!)
Science: people contract herpes through human-to-human, skin-to-skin contact, with or without presenting symptoms. Herpes can transmit through a variety of means that aren’t always sexual (ex. A kiss from a family member in childhood ➡️ oral herpes).
Socialization: “he has herpes so he must not have used any type of barrier method. Always use a condom!!” (This is an assumption. Someone can use internal or external condoms or dental dams and still contract herpes due to the nature of its transmission.)
Science: since barriers don’t cover the entire genital area, and because herpes transmits through skin-to-skin contact, someone could use barriers and still contract herpes.
Socialization: “they’re cool and all but I don’t want to get herpes, it’d kill my sex life.” (You can sleep with someone who is aware of their herpes status and never contract herpes. Many people with herpes still have fulfilling sex lives and partners.)
Science: the @who (2020) estimates 3.7 billion people under 50 are living with HSV-1 globally (67%), and estimate 491 million between 15-49 (13%) living with HSV-2 worldwide. It’s likely you’ve already encountered someone with a herpes infection that can present with or without symptoms.