Is a herpes outbreak really that bad?

We’re all familiar with monsters and demons. We were taught to fear them. At Halloween, while fear is still part of the equation, I’ve noticed what seems to be a cultural shift toward embracing what we fear.

In the suburban area that I currently call home, the same area I grew up and trick-or-treated in as a kid, I’ve noticed more scary Halloween decorations and costumes, versus cute and classic. How are so many people drawn to what they fear, versus staying away from it?

There is something alluring about the unknown and forbidden. When we apply the concept of fear to sex and sexuality, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) immediately come to mind.

When people hear or read about “STI spikes” or herpes outbreaks (or, more recently, a potential monkey on the loose with herpes) the almost immediate response is avoidance, usually followed by shame and distancing.

Despite how common it is to get an STI like herpes, people do everything they can to separate themselves from it.

Sometimes, it’s in the form of a joke, sometimes shame. All of the rhetoric is a form of stigma resulting from misinformation and a lack of education.

In the spirit of spooky season and monsters, it begs the question: is a herpes outbreak really that bad? Let me tell you from the point of view of someone who is currently having an outbreak.