How the Herpes Stigma Was Cultivated: Media, Medicine, and Morality
The stigma surrounding herpes simplex virus (HSV), a common condition affecting millions worldwide, did not materialize out of thin air. It is a product of historical, social, and economic forces, with a significant push from media narratives and pharmaceutical interests in the latter half of the 20th century. This overview explores how these elements converged to transform herpes from a relatively ignored condition into a source of social shame and fear.
The Role of Media in the 1970s
In the 1970s, the United States witnessed a significant shift in the public perception of herpes. Media outlets, most notably Time magazine, began to publish articles that cast herpes not just as a medical condition, but as a damning moral verdict on individuals' sexual behavior. These articles were sensational in nature, emphasizing the lifelong, incurable aspect of the virus, and framing it as a punishment for promiscuity. This narrative served to amplify social anxieties around sexuality, which were already heightened by the recent sexual revolution and the growing awareness of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Pharmaceutical Companies' Influence
Concurrently, pharmaceutical companies recognized an opportunity in the burgeoning public fear. The development of antiviral drugs such as acyclovir (marketed under the brand name Zovirax) provided a new avenue for treatment—and profit. However, for these drugs to become lucrative, there needed to be a market. By funding studies on herpes and its impact, and through aggressive marketing strategies that highlighted the despair associated with living with herpes, pharmaceutical companies helped to medicalize and pathologize a condition that had been relatively normalized or overlooked in human history. This is not to say that herpes does not have real symptoms and implications for those affected, but the intensity of the stigma attached to it was, in many ways, artificially inflated.
Fear of Sex and Moral Judgments
The backdrop to this push by both media and pharmaceutical companies was a broader societal fear of the liberalization of sex. The 1970s and 1980s were periods of significant change in sexual norms, but also of backlash against these changes. The emergence of HIV/AIDS only intensified these fears. In this context, herpes became a convenient vehicle for moralizing about sex, with the stigma serving both to control sexual behavior and to delineate the boundaries of acceptable conduct.
The Lasting Impact
The consequences of this orchestrated stigma have been profound. Individuals diagnosed with herpes often experience feelings of shame, isolation, and anxiety, compounded by the fear of disclosing their status to potential partners. The stigma has also affected the medical community's approach to the virus, with testing and discussion of herpes still fraught with discomfort.
Moving Forward: Destigmatization and Support
Efforts to destigmatize herpes involve challenging the narratives constructed in the late 20th century. This includes promoting accurate, compassionate information about the virus, its prevalence, and its impact on individuals' lives. Support networks and advocacy groups play a crucial role in this process, providing spaces for individuals to share experiences and resources for managing the condition. Ultimately, the goal is to shift the conversation from one of blame and shame to one of understanding and empathy.
While this overview cannot encapsulate all the nuances and individual stories within the broader history of herpes stigma, it highlights the critical intersections of media, pharmaceutical interests, and societal attitudes that have shaped current perceptions. Recognizing these factors is the first step towards dismantling the stigma and fostering a more informed and compassionate dialogue about herpes and sexual health.
The stigma surrounding herpes simplex virus (HSV), a common condition affecting millions worldwide, did not materialize out of thin air. It is a product of historical, social, and economic forces, with a significant push from media narratives and pharmaceutical interests in the latter half of the 20th century. This overview explores how these elements converged to transform herpes from a relatively ignored condition into a source of social shame and fear.
The Role of Media in the 1970s
In the 1970s, the United States witnessed a significant shift in the public perception of herpes. Media outlets, most notably Time magazine, began to publish articles that cast herpes not just as a medical condition, but as a damning moral verdict on individuals' sexual behavior. These articles were sensational in nature, emphasizing the lifelong, incurable aspect of the virus, and framing it as a punishment for promiscuity. This narrative served to amplify social anxieties around sexuality, which were already heightened by the recent sexual revolution and the growing awareness of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Pharmaceutical Companies' Influence
Concurrently, pharmaceutical companies recognized an opportunity in the burgeoning public fear. The development of antiviral drugs such as acyclovir (marketed under the brand name Zovirax) provided a new avenue for treatment—and profit. However, for these drugs to become lucrative, there needed to be a market. By funding studies on herpes and its impact, and through aggressive marketing strategies that highlighted the despair associated with living with herpes, pharmaceutical companies helped to medicalize and pathologize a condition that had been relatively normalized or overlooked in human history. This is not to say that herpes does not have real symptoms and implications for those affected, but the intensity of the stigma attached to it was, in many ways, artificially inflated.
Fear of Sex and Moral Judgments
The backdrop to this push by both media and pharmaceutical companies was a broader societal fear of the liberalization of sex. The 1970s and 1980s were periods of significant change in sexual norms, but also of backlash against these changes. The emergence of HIV/AIDS only intensified these fears. In this context, herpes became a convenient vehicle for moralizing about sex, with the stigma serving both to control sexual behavior and to delineate the boundaries of acceptable conduct.
The Lasting Impact
The consequences of this orchestrated stigma have been profound. Individuals diagnosed with herpes often experience feelings of shame, isolation, and anxiety, compounded by the fear of disclosing their status to potential partners. The stigma has also affected the medical community's approach to the virus, with testing and discussion of herpes still fraught with discomfort.
Moving Forward: Destigmatization and Support
Efforts to destigmatize herpes involve challenging the narratives constructed in the late 20th century. This includes promoting accurate, compassionate information about the virus, its prevalence, and its impact on individuals' lives. Support networks and advocacy groups play a crucial role in this process, providing spaces for individuals to share experiences and resources for managing the condition. Ultimately, the goal is to shift the conversation from one of blame and shame to one of understanding and empathy.
While this overview cannot encapsulate all the nuances and individual stories within the broader history of herpes stigma, it highlights the critical intersections of media, pharmaceutical interests, and societal attitudes that have shaped current perceptions. Recognizing these factors is the first step towards dismantling the stigma and fostering a more informed and compassionate dialogue about herpes and sexual health.
Vitamin D is also important for our immune system.
There are many studies showing low vitaminD will increase your chances of getting viruses including Herpes. It also can increase chances of Herpes infections/outbreaks if low.
Vitamin D is not a vitamin — it is a pro-hormone. Pro-hormones are substances that the body converts to a hormone. A very small amount of vitamin D the body needs comes from food (such as dairy products and oily fish). Your body also makes vitamin D when direct sunlight converts a chemical in your skin into an active form of the vitamin. This reaction produces cholecalciferol, and the liver converts it to calcidiol. The kidneys then convert the substance to calcitriol, which is the active form of the hormone in the body.
There are various forms of vitamin D. It starts out as a cholesterol molecule, which we can call vitamin D1. Near the skin’s surface, it gets zapped by sunshine and becomes vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). Then it gets transformed by activating enzymes, usually in the liver, to vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and by the kidneys to its most active form, vitamin D4 (Calcitriol).
What does Vitamin D do or help with?
Researchers have found that vitamin D helps regulate adrenaline and dopamine production in the brain; as well as helping to protect from serotonin depletion. For this reason, low vitamin D levels can cause a more depressed attitude. Possibly why people get more depressed during the winter time. Less sunlight.
Vitamin D causes calcium to be absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream. When vitamin D is not present, calcium is also not abundant and the parathyroid gland cannot do its job.
Vitamin D in your body interacts with hormones from your parathyroid glands. It secretes parathyroid hormone, which helps to regulate calcium in your body. The release of parathyroid hormone promotes the activation of vitamin D within your cells, which in turn leads to calcium regulation. A vitamin D deficiency can lead to the abnormal release of parathyroid hormone.
It also helps to fight infection. Maybe that’s why we get more colds and flu in the winter time when there’s less sun.
Professor Carsten Geisler from the Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology explains that "when a T cell is exposed to a foreign pathogen, it extends a signaling device or 'antenna' known as a vitamin D receptor, with which it searches for vitamin D. This means that the T cell must have vitamin D or activation of the cell will cease. If the T cells cannot find enough vitamin D in the blood, they won't even begin to mobilize. "
T cells that are successfully activated transform into one of two types of immune cell. They either become killer cells that will attack and destroy all cells carrying traces of a foreign pathogen or they become helper cells that assist the immune system in acquiring "memory." The helper cells send messages to the immune system, passing on knowledge about the pathogen so that the immune system can recognize and remember it at their next encounter. T cells form part of the adaptive immune system, which means that they function by teaching the immune system to recognize and adapt to constantly changing threats.
It also helps with blood sugar balance and insulin control.
The amount of vitamin D your skin makes depends on many factors, including the time of day, season, and your skin pigmentation. Vitamin D production might decrease or be completely absent during the winter months. Sunscreen and medications can decrease vitamin D production. Gut health and other deficiencies such as low K2 or magnesium may cause issues with vittamin D absorption.
There is controversy on what your vitamin D levels should be. Allopathic doctors say 30-100. Some holistic and Functional Medicine doctors state between 60-80.
Vitamin D comes in two forms: D2 and D3. D2 (ergocalciferol) comes from plants. D3 (cholecalciferol) comes from animals. You need a prescription to get D2. D3, however, is available over the counter. Your body more easily absorbs D3 than D2. You may need 5-10,000 IU for a short amount of time for supplementation. Here are a few I recommend:
The human body is a complex and intricately connected system of various organs and functions. One of the key players in this intricate symphony is the endocrine system, which regulates hormones responsible for numerous bodily processes. In this blog, we'll explore the fascinating relationship between the endocrine system, particularly the hormone progesterone, and the occurrence of herpes outbreaks.
Understanding the Endocrine System: Before delving into the connection between progesterone and herpes outbreaks, let's grasp the basics of the endocrine system. This system consists of several glands, including the thyroid, adrenal, and pancreas, that produce hormones crucial for bodily functions. Hormones are chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream, affecting various organs and systems. The hormone progesterone, mainly produced by the ovaries in women, plays a significant role in the female reproductive system and pregnancy.
Progesterone and Its Role: Progesterone is commonly associated with the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. It helps prepare the uterine lining for potential embryo implantation and maintains a healthy pregnancy. This hormone also influences the immune system and can have varying effects on the body.
Herpes Outbreaks and Immune System: Herpes is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of HSV, HSV-1 and HSV-2, which can cause oral and genital herpes, respectively. Herpes outbreaks occur when the virus becomes active and replicates in the body, leading to visible symptoms such as sores, blisters, and itching.
The Link Between Progesterone and Herpes Outbreaks: Research suggests that progesterone may have a modulatory effect on the immune system, potentially influencing the frequency and severity of herpes outbreaks. Progesterone can affect the balance of immune cells, making it easier for the herpes virus to reactivate.
For women, fluctuations in progesterone levels during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause can influence the occurrence of herpes outbreaks. Many women report experiencing more frequent outbreaks during specific phases of their menstrual cycle.
Managing Herpes Outbreaks: Understanding this connection can be helpful for those living with herpes. While it's challenging to control the body's hormonal fluctuations entirely, there are ways to manage herpes outbreaks effectively. Antiviral medications, lifestyle changes, and stress management techniques can all contribute to reducing the frequency and severity of outbreaks.
The endocrine system is a complex web of hormones and functions that influence various aspects of our health. Progesterone, a key hormone in this system, may have an impact on herpes outbreaks by influencing the immune response. By better understanding this connection, individuals can work with healthcare providers to manage and reduce the frequency of herpes outbreaks, improving their overall quality of life.
If struggling with chronic pain, autoimmune diseases, outbreaks, than inflammation could be a cause.
If you're dealing with chronic pain, autoimmune diseases, frequent outbreaks, or getting sick multiple times a year, I strongly encourage you to consider checking inflammation markers.
Inflammation occurs when your body responds to infection or injury, known as acute inflammation. However, when your body releases inflammatory cells without any sickness or injury, it may indicate chronic inflammation.
While acute inflammation usually has a specific cause like an injury, infection, allergen, or toxic exposure, chronic inflammation can persist for months or even years. It develops gradually due to poor diet, environmental toxins, chronic stress, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, and other lifestyle factors. Chronic inflammation involves your body sending inflammatory cells even when there is no immediate danger.
There are 12 inflammatory markers, but we'll focus on 6 that are particularly important:
C-reactive protein: Produced in the liver from inflammatory cytokines, this marker reflects chronic inflammation, especially in the mouth and gums. Functional medicine suggests an optimal value of less than 0.55 for males and less than 1.5 for females. Higher values may indicate increased risk of heart attacks, Alzheimer's, dementia, and depression especially in men. It indicates also increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Sugar, peiodontal disease, smoking and oral contraceptives can increase it.
Since blood sugar imbalances are a significant cause of inflammation, checking Hgb A1C and fasting insulin is crucial.
Hgb A1C: This measure reflects glucose levels over the past 3-4 months. The standard value is less than 5.7, but the optimal range is 4.6-5.5. Hypoglycemia is detected at levels below 4.6, while diabetes is indicated at levels greater than 6.5.
Fasting insulin: Another essential lab check for blood sugar imbalances. The standard range is 6-27, but optimal levels should be below 5. Measuring your insulin levels can reveal imbalances that occur long before glucose or HbA1C levels indicate a problem. This test can be used as a pre-diabetes screening.
Here's a study linking insulin resistance to inflammation: [URL]
Ferritin: This is a protein that helps store iron in your body. It measure the level of ferritin in your body to help identify iron deficiency anemia and is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, and liver disease. The standard range is 24-307. A level of 200 to 300 nanograms per milliliter is too high for optimal health. The range should be closer between 30 to 60 ng/ml for adult male or non-mentruating female. Values greater than 160 (female) or 200 (male) indicate iron overloaad.
Inflammation occurs when your body responds to infection or injury, known as acute inflammation. However, when your body releases inflammatory cells without any sickness or injury, it may indicate chronic inflammation.
While acute inflammation usually has a specific cause like an injury, infection, allergen, or toxic exposure, chronic inflammation can persist for months or even years. It develops gradually due to poor diet, environmental toxins, chronic stress, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, and other lifestyle factors. Chronic inflammation involves your body sending inflammatory cells even when there is no immediate danger.
There are 12 inflammatory markers, but we'll focus on 6 that are particularly important:
C-reactive protein: Produced in the liver from inflammatory cytokines, this marker reflects chronic inflammation, especially in the mouth and gums. Functional medicine suggests an optimal value of less than 0.55 for males and less than 1.5 for females. Higher values may indicate increased risk of heart attacks, Alzheimer's, dementia, and depression especially in men. It indicates also increased risk of type 2 diabetes. Sugar, peiodontal disease, smoking and oral contraceptives can increase it.
Since blood sugar imbalances are a significant cause of inflammation, checking Hgb A1C and fasting insulin is crucial.
Hgb A1C: This measure reflects glucose levels over the past 3-4 months. The standard value is less than 5.7, but the optimal range is 4.6-5.5. Hypoglycemia is detected at levels below 4.6, while diabetes is indicated at levels greater than 6.5.
Fasting insulin: Another essential lab check for blood sugar imbalances. The standard range is 6-27, but optimal levels should be below 5. Measuring your insulin levels can reveal imbalances that occur long before glucose or HbA1C levels indicate a problem. This test can be used as a pre-diabetes screening.
Here's a study linking insulin resistance to inflammation: [URL]
Ferritin: This is a protein that helps store iron in your body. It measure the level of ferritin in your body to help identify iron deficiency anemia and is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, and liver disease. The standard range is 24-307. A level of 200 to 300 nanograms per milliliter is too high for optimal health. The range should be closer between 30 to 60 ng/ml for adult male or non-mentruating female. Values greater than 160 (female) or 200 (male) indicate iron overloaad.
While there are 8 other tests available, these are the ones I would recommend for now. It's crucial to detect and address any inflammation in your body to maintain your overall health and well-being.
Before my diagnosis, I faced many rejections. However, the only person I opened up to about my diagnosis was my husband. Looking back, I realize that those rejections were not a reflection of my worth, but rather a sign that those individuals were not meant for me. Although it was disheartening at the time, I am now grateful for those rejections. Remember, you only need one partner who truly appreciates and accepts you. While dating, you may encounter obstacles, but try not to view rejections solely based on your herpes diagnosis. Instead, see them as opportunities for God to eliminate the wrong matches from your life. When I prepared to disclose my condition to my husband, I prayed that if he wasn't meant to be, God would guide him to reject me, and vice versa. If I had been rejected that day, I would have been okay, knowing it was God's way of guiding my path. Give it a try, shifting your perspective from rejection to divine intervention.
