“Jersey Shore” and the Herpes Stigma

Gossip blogs lit up this week with talk about the reality show "Jersey Shore", quoting the show's creator about the STD status of the cast. In a round-table discussion of reality show, Sally Ann Salsano was quoted to say, "We hand [Valtrex] out like M&Ms! 'Hey kids, it's time for Valtrex!' It's like a herpes nest. They're all in there mixing it up." Herpes nest? While it's not difficult to imagine the fist-pumping, hard-partying cast with names like Snooki, The Situation, and J-WOWW behaving irresponsibly, we're not thrilled with the stigma surrounding herpes that continues to get played out in the media. Here are some facts:

• Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections around the globe.


• The vast majority of people living with herpes don't know it.


• Multiple studies have shown that Herpes 2 infection increases the risk for HIV infection by at least twofold


• It's spread by skin-to-skin contact, so you don't necessarily have to have intercourse to spread it or catch it


• There's no cure but there are anti-viral medications available to manage it and live a happy, active life

The only way to know if you have genital herpes or any other STD is to get tested. The continual negative messaging around sexual health and stigmatizing herpes doesn't help. After the show's creator blasted about "herpes nests", the cast felt the need to tell the press that they don't have herpes. Your sexual health is private. Know your STD status. Share this private information with your partners. No need to alert the media. That's the Situation.

• Find out more about private herpes testing-http://www.stdtestexpress.com/herpes-test/


• Top 10 STD Myths-http://www.stdtestexpress.com/std-myths/