Cultural attitudes towards herpes bothers me. Herpes is not that big a deal for most people, most people have it and are also asymptomatic (yes that means probably you), and the shame associated with it is so disproportionate. I don't have herpes (as far as I know, maybe I do?)..
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but I've always pledged to do my part and, if I find out a potential romantic partner has herpes, to not let that affect my relationship with them (beyond avoiding outbreaks/medication etc.,). We can end the herpes stigma by simply choosing to, individually.
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I think the stats are, 1/5 people will get genital herpes at some point in their life? And roughly half of people have oral herpes. And something like 70-90% of people with genital herpes never show any symptoms. It's been a few years since I did in-depth research on this tho.
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There are multiple kinds. Most people don't have herpes simplex one or two, the kinds that cause visible sores on the genitals and mouth.
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Some people can apparently alter their body's preferences to match their moral preferences, and some simply cannot. We should neither shame people with herpes, nor shame those who are germophobic and choose to respect their body's intimacy preferences.
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I think most people would be appalled to discover that the occasional cold sore they get in their mouths is none other than 'oral herpes'. It needs s rebrand!