In another study, psychological effects of first attack of genital herpes were assessed by the team of Catotti, and the Departments of Genitourinary Medicine and Dermatology in the Middlesex Hospital, London were collaborated during the study. In this regard, patients from the abovementioned departments were chosen for the study, and recruitment of two control groups was done. Specifically, the GUM Department was attended by patients with no herpes attacks, as well as, patients with constant dermatomes. Thus, these patients with diverse conditions were studied during the survey.
A psychological questionnaire was filled by the respondents in which, eighty-seven items were enlisted for the analysis. Moreover, this questionnaire was filled out by the patients for a year at the intervals of three months. Specifically, the general Health Questionnaire, as well as, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire were included in the questionnaire. Questions regarding the sexual behavior of the patients were also inquired from them. In detail, ninety-one patients contributed in the study for a period of one year.
Moreover, fifty-six dermatology controls also participated in the survey. However, patients and controls did not provide any significant differences demographically. At first visit, similar results were observed in the classification of GHQ regarding the proportion of patients with the term of cases during their comparison with the dermatology controls. It was observed in the study that more concern towards the sickness was expressed by the primary herpes group, as compared with the other experienced groups in the study.
In the result, significant reduction was observed in the proportion of classification of term of cases for the primary herpes patients, with subject to a period of three months. Moreover, significant reduction was observed in the concern of illness that was shown by the primary herpes group after the first three months. Thus, it was evaluated that the patients are affected emotionally by the treatment and analysis of a first attack of genital herpes. If attacks are not repeated, improvement is observed in their emotional, as well as, psychological conditions.
On the other hand, higher extent of anxiety and stress is expressed by the patients with recurrences. In this regard, this learning should be taken seriously by the clinicians. (Catotti, 2003) A study for the assessment of psychological effects of repeated genital herpes infection was undertaken by Carney. Moreover, the effect of long-term acyclovir on morbidity was also determined during this study. In this regard, the study considered the frequent attacks of genital herpes during the selection of respondents for the study.
In detail, an eighty-item psychological questionnaire was completed by the patients, which continued for a year with the intervals of three months. A pause was given in the treatment of the selected patients, and a further questionnaire was given to these patients after a period of three months. Specifically, the General Health Questionnaire, as well as, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Questionnaire were included in the questionnaire. In addition, test of McNemar was utilized for the analysis of changes in proportions, and the changes in scores were analyzed by the utilization of test of Wilcoxon.
Recruitment of around more than hundred patients was done in the study, which constituted forty-seven and fifty-five women and men respectively. In detail, three months treatment was completed by approximately eighty-two patients. Moreover, follow-up of three months after the treatment was completed by only forty-nine percent of the patients from the selected 102 patients during the study. In the result, the proportion of HAD anxiety cases from one visit was decreased significantly, and concern regarding the personal illness was decreased.
Thus, it was concluded that frequent attacks of genital herpes are closely associated with considerable morbidity. However, illness concern, as well as, anxiety is reduced significantly by the acyclovir containment. (Carney, 1994) Dealing and management of genital herpes infection by the individual patients has been pointed out by the team of Sandler during the study related to the psychological impact of genital herpes on personal lives. In this regard, employment of cognitive, as well as, social support instruments was done in the study.
In addition, approaches of psychological adjustment, as well as, sexual adjustment were associated by the coping mechanisms. During the study, recruitment of around more than one hundred fifty respondents was done. In addition, several theories and implications were supported by the results, which were also taken from the previous similar researches. It was observed that poor psychological alteration was significantly caused by depression, reduction in self-esteem, negative thoughts, etc. In addition, poor psychological alteration was also interlinked with utilization of strategies related to disease management repeatedly.
The study suggested that further research in the same area should be carried out in the future. (Sandler, 1994) Hugh extent of effects has been observed in the personality of a child due to herpes infection. In this regard, psychosocial difficulties, as well as, consumption of high amount of drugs by the children have been stated as some of the major causes of the higher frequency of such disease in the children. As earlier discussed in the paper, children, as well as, families are adversely affected by the herpes disease.
Thus, it has been a serious concern for most of the experts and researchers in this field. It has been proved by a number of clear evidences that poor outcomes of herpes disease are caused by the emotional appearances, as well as, family behaviour with the children. In the result, unpardonable burden on the family is the outcome of stress and tension-filled environment. Moreover, most of the experts have indicated that management of herpes is greatly influenced by the family social environment. Conductive environment of the patient suffering from herpes infection has been a new question for the experts.
It has been an observation that the social characteristics of Herpes infection should not be forgotten, as the avoidance of tension-filled environment is required and suggested usually by the professionals. In this regard, patient, as well as, family members should know the hazards and detailed information regarding the treatment related to the disease. Moreover, patients should not be kept in isolation during this infection, and social support should be given to them. Thus, education regarding the herpes infection is a must for the effective treatment of a patient.