.svg)
National Herpes Awareness Day on October 13 is a great opportunity to celebrate the progress that has been made in herpes research and education. This day was first established in 1995 as a way to increase public awareness of the virus, which affects an estimated 1 out of 6 people ages 14-49 in the United States. With more knowledge about herpes comes greater acceptance, and it's our hope that National Herpes Awareness Day will help end stigma associated with this virus.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1925</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Herpes Discovery</div><div class='timeline-text'>In 1925, the herpes simplex virus was isolated in a laboratory for the first time, paving the way for more concrete research and understanding of the virus.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1982</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Antiviral Medicine</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Food and Drug Administration approved the use of acyclovir, the first antiviral medicine used to treat herpes infections.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1995</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of Awareness Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>National Herpes Awareness Day was first established in 1995 to increase public awareness and counteract the stigma related to the herpes virus.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2003</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Herpevac Trial Launch</div><div class='timeline-text'>In 2003, a major clinical trial for a herpes vaccine, known as Herpevac, was launched with hopes of preventing herpes infections in women.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2012</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Herpevac Trial Results</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Herpevac trial concluded in 2012, unfortunately it was ineffective at preventing genital herpes in women.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2021</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Ongoing Research</div><div class='timeline-text'>As of 2021, researchers continue to investigate potential vaccines and treatments for the herpes virus.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Educate yourself</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take the time to research herpes and learn about its symptoms, treatments, and prevention. Understanding the disease can help reduce the stigma associated with it.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Check in with your doctor</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you think you may have been exposed to herpes or are experiencing any type of symptom, schedule an appointment with your physician to get tested.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Share your story</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>If you’re comfortable doing so, consider sharing your experience with friends, family, or on social media. Your openness could help to reduce the stigma for others.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Support a cause</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Look into organizations that specialize in providing support to those living with herpes or researching new treatments and prevention methods.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Spread awareness</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Encourage friends and family members to practice safe sex and get tested regularly. Sharing this knowledge can help prevent further transmission of the virus.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It helps to reduce stigma and normalize talking about genital herpes</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>One of the most important benefits of National Herpes Awareness Day is that it helps to reduce stigma around genital herpes. By talking openly and honestly about this virus, we can help to end the shame associated with it and create a more open dialogue about sexual health in general.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It raises awareness about the symptoms of genital herpes</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Genital herpes often has no noticeable symptoms or very mild ones, so many people don't even realize they've been infected. By raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of this virus, we can ensure that people are aware of what to look out for and can seek treatment quickly if necessary.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It encourages safe sex practices</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Herpes is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, so practicing safe sex (such as using condoms) is essential for preventing its spread. Herpes Awareness Day can help remind people to use protection during sexual activity and reinforce how important it is to practice safe sex.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There are Two Types of Herpes Simplex Virus</h3><p class='facts-content'>Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is primarily associated with oral infections, while herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is more commonly associated with genital infections.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>HSV Can Be Asymptomatic</h3><p class='facts-content'>Most people infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2 experience either no symptoms or have very mild symptoms that go unnoticed.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Herpes Can Be Transmitted Even Without Symptoms</h3><p class='facts-content'>Herpes can be transmitted from an infected person to an uninfected person even if the infected person has no signs or symptoms. This is known as asymptomatic shedding.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Genital Herpes Infections Increase the Risk of Contracting HIV</h3><p class='facts-content'>Having genital herpes can increase the risk of contracting HIV. The sores give HIV an easy route to enter the body. Thus it's important for those with herpes to take extra precautions to prevent HIV.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There is Currently no Cure for Herpes, but It Can Be Managed</h3><p class='facts-content'>Though we do not currently have a cure for herpes, there are medications available that can prevent or shorten outbreaks and reduce the risk of transmission to others.</p></div></div>
National Herpes Awareness Day is celebrated on October 13th every year. In 2024, it will fall on a Sunday.
2023
Oct 13
Friday
2024
Oct 13
Sunday
2025
Oct 13
Monday
2026
Oct 13
Tuesday
2027
Oct 13
Wednesday
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
