Herpes support groups
Encyclopedia
For information about the disease see Herpes simplex
.
Herpes Support Groups are organized groups, some grass roots and some official nonprofit or medical groups, that provide support and information for people who have been diagnosed with genital herpes. Genital herpes is a viral disease caused by Herpes simplex virus
es; both herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV–1) and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV–2) can cause genital herpes.
During the 1970s, there was an increase in sexually transmitted diseases. One of the diseases that increased dramatically was genital herpes. In response ASHA created the National Herpes Resource Center in 1979. The HRC was designed to meet the growing need for education and awareness about the virus. One of the project of The Herpes Resource Center (HRC) was to create a network of local support (HELP) groups. The goal of these HELP groups were to provide a safe, confidential environment where participants can get accurate information and share experiences, fears, and feelings with others who are concerned about herpes.
While the HELP groups provided education and emotional support, they had limited offerings in the area of socializing or dating. The advent of the Internet came a grass-roots movement to create online social support and dating. Groups started forming around the country on yahoogroup, meetup and other social networking sites. In addition to these informal, local groups, a number of online social networking and dating sites were created. The first of which was Antopia in 1979. In addition to Antopia there are a number of other sites that also offer forums to help individuals deal with their condition.
In the UK, the Herpes Association (now the Herpes Viruses Association) was started in 1982, becoming a registered charity with a Dept of Health grant in 1985. The charity started as a string of local group meetings before acquiring an office and a national spread.
In a 2007 study, 1900 people (25% of which had herpes) ranked genital herpes second for social stigma, out of all sexually transmitted diseases (HIV took the top spot for STD stigma).
Herpes simplex
Herpes simplex is a viral disease caused by both Herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 . Infection with the herpes virus is categorized into one of several distinct disorders based on the site of infection. Oral herpes, the visible symptoms of which are colloquially called cold sores or fever...
.
Herpes Support Groups are organized groups, some grass roots and some official nonprofit or medical groups, that provide support and information for people who have been diagnosed with genital herpes. Genital herpes is a viral disease caused by Herpes simplex virus
Herpes simplex virus
Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 , also known as Human herpes virus 1 and 2 , are two members of the herpes virus family, Herpesviridae, that infect humans. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are ubiquitous and contagious...
es; both herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV–1) and herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV–2) can cause genital herpes.
History of Herpes Support Groups
Support for people with herpes arose from the work of the American Social Health Association (ASHA). The organization was created in 1914 to in response to the increase in social diseases that had spread during World War 1.During the 1970s, there was an increase in sexually transmitted diseases. One of the diseases that increased dramatically was genital herpes. In response ASHA created the National Herpes Resource Center in 1979. The HRC was designed to meet the growing need for education and awareness about the virus. One of the project of The Herpes Resource Center (HRC) was to create a network of local support (HELP) groups. The goal of these HELP groups were to provide a safe, confidential environment where participants can get accurate information and share experiences, fears, and feelings with others who are concerned about herpes.
While the HELP groups provided education and emotional support, they had limited offerings in the area of socializing or dating. The advent of the Internet came a grass-roots movement to create online social support and dating. Groups started forming around the country on yahoogroup, meetup and other social networking sites. In addition to these informal, local groups, a number of online social networking and dating sites were created. The first of which was Antopia in 1979. In addition to Antopia there are a number of other sites that also offer forums to help individuals deal with their condition.
In the UK, the Herpes Association (now the Herpes Viruses Association) was started in 1982, becoming a registered charity with a Dept of Health grant in 1985. The charity started as a string of local group meetings before acquiring an office and a national spread.
The Stigma
A major concern for people with genital herpes is the social stigma attached to having the virus, despite the fact it is generally harmless. Among genital herpes patients, 39% said they were troubled by societal stigma about genital herpes. Far more genital herpes patients—75% -- were troubled by bothersome symptoms of genital herpes outbreaks.In a 2007 study, 1900 people (25% of which had herpes) ranked genital herpes second for social stigma, out of all sexually transmitted diseases (HIV took the top spot for STD stigma).
External links
- HC Support Network Herpes Forum and Chat Room Highly active herpes community helping people connect with others who also have the condition.