STDs/STIs

Herpes

The Basics
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Treatment
Living with Herpes

The Basics

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Herpes Can Be a Sore Spot—but Doesn't Have to Be

Billions of people worldwide have herpes simplex virus type 1. Do we have your attention now?

by Ally Sweeten

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A History of Herpes Stigma

The timeline of herpes stigmatization is long, dating to ancient Greece, and complex.

by María Cristina Lalonde

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Why Isn't There a Herpes Vaccine Yet?

Before COVID, a virus had already infected the globe. We might fix it the same way.

by Helen Glenny

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How Can Herpes Affect Your Brain?

Learn the symptoms of HSV-1 or HSV-2 and how herpes can affect or cause damage to the brain.

by Erica Garza

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Symptoms and Diagnosis

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Herpes: Is It Good to Be Symptomatic?

To avoid transmitting an infection, you first have to know you have it.

by Thea Engst

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I Have a Cold Sore—Now What?

Here’s how to manage oral herpes breakouts and prevent them from reoccurring.

by Erica Garza

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When is it Time to Schedule a Herpes Test?

Surprise: Your regular STI screening doesn't include one. Here's why it's best to be proactive.

by Martha Kempner

Blood droplets are scattered against an off-white surface.

Overview of Herpes Simplex: Symptoms and Diagnosis

A common infection with a wide variety of symptoms and severity, HSV can be easy to miss.

by Madeleine Williams, MPH

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Treatment

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The Surprising Link Between Herpes and Shingles

These similar viruses have some very important differences.

by Wendy J. Meyeroff

A man is putting white ointment onto his lips.

Treatment Options for Oral and Genital Herpes

Herpes infections last a lifetime. Thankfully, there are effective treatment options.

by Madeleine Williams, MPH

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What's the Best Diet for Managing Herpes?

Try these tips to help prevent outbreaks and learn which foods to avoid.

by Ebony Purks

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Treating Cold Sores Caused by Herpes

Herpes can't be cured, but you can treat cold sores caused by the virus.

by Shayne Tyrpin

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Living with Herpes

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How I Date With Herpes

Finding the right partner is already difficult. HSV-2 doesn't have to make it harder.

by Giddy Contributor*

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What a Herpes Outbreak Looks Like for Women

HSV-2 has different considerations for people born with vaginas than for people with penises.

by Rachel Crowe

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Here's What a Herpes Outbreak Looks (and Feels) Like

Predicting the timing of an HSV recurrence is impossible. Knowing what to look for isn't.

by Rachel Crowe

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The Internet Is Pushing to Destigmatize HSV-1 and HSV-2

Content creators are fighting back against herpes' longtime stigma.

by Meggie Gates

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