The Absence of Herpes in Film and Television

Hi, thank you very much for posting this sharepost. I very much agree that herpes should be represented more in the media. Believe it or not, even though the media's job isn't to educate us, that is where lots of people get their information and they do believe what they hear (evidently not everyone...but lots do). So, when the only time they hear about herpes is by some bad joke no wonder people stigmatize the disease. Bad information creates unnecessary fear (such as: only prostitutes get herpes). It is so publicized that "only dirty people have herpes" that people who wind up contracting the disease buy into the stigma which potentially leads to depression and isolation. I can't speak for others, but I definitely did. I felt dirty for weeks until I talked to my doctor about it and she brought me back to earth - giving the real facts that the disease is really common and it is a cold sore in the genital area. Ignorance is not bliss since that is how many of us found out about having the disease when a partner didn't tell us they had it. Ignorance is not bliss when the public knows very little about the disease other than the fact that it is a common joke theme throughout television.

This might be more of a rant than it is answering your questions and for that Im sorry but I do thank you for continuously reminding us that we are not freaks, that this is common and the public/media needs to wake up and learn something about its prevalence.

Last night I saw an episode of House that featured a patient who had genital herpes. The title was "House vs. God". The character was teenage religious "healer" hiding his herpes from his father. He was portrayed as a pure, straight-laced young man which I found to be a refreshing and powerful image for someone with an STD.

The film is called "The Last Days of Disco".  The main character contracts herpes. Dane Cook also discusses herpes through his most recent comedy routine "Rough Around the Edges". Dane Cook went about discussing it in a very human and normal way. It was so refreshing to hear somebody talk about it in a way that doesn't proliferate the stigma. I applaud Dane for his comical ability to make light of the issue. Thank you!