Herpes stigma affects both the infected and uninfected. “The stigma associated with genital herpes may influence a person’s decision to seek care or disclose the infection to others,” (Fortenberry, 2004). For those who have not yet been infected, the stigma of the infection of the sexually transmitted infection can be an illegal tool in controlling and preventing the infection. Stigmatization towards herpes infection varies from one ethnic group background to another.
Psychological distress also adds to the inability of the individual to accept the realities about the disease and thus seek medication, and emotional help (Rodway and Wright, 1988). In the societies where women are supposed to show chastity before marriage cannot be able to inform their partners that they have been infected with the virus for fear of being seen as less desirable mates. In some communities, like China it has been found that education increases STI stigmatization but it does not delay seeking medication.
According to Rosenberg (2002, “Among men with STIs being treated at clinics in China, eight in 10 felt stigmatized because of their infection and three in 10 had had STI symptoms for more than a week before seeking medical attention. Men who had attended college and those with greater knowledge about HIV and other STIs were more likely than others to feel stigmatized”, (pp1) Furthermore, religious beliefs have also play an important role in contributing to stigmatization. Those who have been infected with herpes are seen as being punished for indulging in sexual activities outside marriage.
People holding hedonistic values may be disinclined in helping the prospective casual partner or change the way of former life. As Rodway and Wright (1988) argues, “the importance of the worker’s taking a person’s cultural or ethic background into account in the assessment and treatment of psychosocial response to genital herpes cannot be over emphasized,” (pg 93). Trust and communication among partners can highly contribute to the stigma of disclosing information concerning herpes infection.
In a relationship that has poor communication members who are infected may feel angry and be suspicious of their partner’s infidelity. Communication may open up more intimacy in the relationship while to others, they might be compelled to remain in the relationship longer than they had planned with the feeling that the disease had reduced them to less desirable partners. Those already married or are in a long term relationship may experience a loss of sexual interest. Taking a self concept of the individuals, the infected person may feel as being dirty and inferior especially during the frequent recurrence of the disease.
Due to this, many will fear rejection and thus feel as if they have a permanently ruined life. “The perception that having herpes simplex was a possible handicap in personal relationships was clearly an important motivation for joining the HA and going to group meetings. ” (Posner, pp 70). HA (Herpes Association) has tried to bring together those who have been infected with herpes in the society so that they can share their views, thoughts, and have discussion with people who have the same problem as them without being stigmatized or viewed as being people who are not straight forward.