![]() ![]() Furthermore, many people suffer or have suffered from other infections in the herpes category, including chickenpox ( varicella zoster virus), shingles, and mononucleosis. Herpes symptoms can be troubling and more severe in some cases, but the virus itself only poses life-threatening health risks in those with weakened immune systems, and even then, the virus is treatable. The stigma has deep roots around the world, especially in America – despite the fact that herpes is a virus more of physical discomfort than medical complication. The study recommended using a new tool, the Genital Herpes Stigma Scale, in clinical settings to reduce herpes patients’ negative feelings. The higher these subjects’ psychological distress, the more likely it was that they had low perceived social support, among other variables. Similarly, a 2018 study examined the many aspects of patients’ psychological distress, including negative self-image, concern about public attitudes, fears of disclosing their status to sexual partners, and their own stigma. In short, the stigma not only led patients in the study to hide their diagnosis but also worsened their condition, prolonging their silence. The higher recurrence rate then reinforced the stigmatic cycle. A 2010 study published in The Journal of Health Psychology reviewed the psychological health of herpes sufferers and found a correlation between patients’ poor coping mechanisms (due to perceived negativity from others) and higher recurrences of outbreaks. This aspect of herpes infection warrants the scientific and medical communities’ attention. Additionally, none of the above treatment options take into account herpes’ invisible side effect – stigmatization and its psychological impact. However, antivirals are the only treatment option currently available to patients and don’t have 100% efficacy in stopping outbreaks or other herpes-related symptoms. There has also been some early progress regarding preventative vaccine development and experimentation with CRISPR/Cas9, a breakthrough gene editing tool. These efforts have faced multiple roadblocks because scientists have struggled to identify the exact target that would trigger the T cell response for herpes specifically. Recent years have also seen the development of potential therapeutic vaccines, which elicit a T cell response to fight infection. ![]() However, these antivirals, known within the medical community as nucleoside inhibitors, are limited in scope they improve symptoms but fail to stop virus transmission or improve more severe cases. Doctors typically take one of two treatment courses: intermittent treatment, in which patients take medication once an outbreak begins, and suppressive treatment, in which patients take antivirals every day. Antivirals like penciclovir and valacyclovir are widely prescribed. Researchers and pharmaceutical companies have worked tirelessly to treat herpes’ most obvious symptoms. It’s these lesions – both their appearance and others’ reactions to them – that induce serious psychological side effects for those with herpes diagnoses. Regardless of the strain, either HSV-1 or HSV-2, the most common complications involve genital or oral lesions, which can be quite visible, painful, and embarrassing for patients. Yet, despite the high incidence rate and many high-profile attempts to revolutionize care, a dearth of effective treatments and a widespread stigmatization of the virus have forced sufferers to endure their pain in silence. ![]() Herpes is one of the world’s most prevalent viruses – nearly half a billion patients worldwide suffer from genital herpes and billions more report oral herpes infections. New treatment alternative offers discreet and effective way to help patients
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