Education ends stigma.
We're here to inform, support, and advocate for better understanding of herpes in Aotearoa.
The NZ Herpes Foundation supports over 500,000 New Zealanders, by educating communities, combating stigma, and ensuring no one faces their diagnosis alone
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is incredibly common and almost always medically insignificant. Most people will have HSV-1 or HSV-2 at some point, often without ever knowing. No symptoms doesn't mean no virus.
Up to 80% of people will carry HSV-1 or HSV-2 in their lifetime. Only around 20% ever get symptoms, and even then, they're usually mild and manageable.
The virus affects the mouth (cold sores) or genitals. It's the same virus, but stigma makes genital herpes feel worse than it medically is. You're not contagious all the time.
Transmission risk is highest during outbreaks and very low (around 2%) in between. Antiviral medication reduces this further. Most partners respond to disclosure with respect, not rejection.
Many people who believe they don't have herpes actually do. It's commonly passed on by those who don't know they carry it.
What you need to know on herpes
When people understand the facts about herpes, it doesn't need to be feared
