The following resources may be of interest to our site visitors.
RESOURCE DISCLAIMER:
Any views expressed through listed Herpes ResourceCenter are those of the respective organizations themselves and are not necessarily endorsed by the AHF.
The AHF regrets that we cannot give medical advice or referrals, nor are we able to offer a medical question-and-answer service.
For the layperson, bear in mind that it is not possible to diagnose diseases (or to diagnose them yourself) over the Internet. If you suspect you might have a herpes infection or you have any related health or prevention concerns, the best thing to do is seek medical attention and/or advice from your physician right away. If you receive a diagnosis, he or she will tell you what steps (if any) you should take.
Please click on the appropriate links for your needs. Listings are by no means comprehensive.
Centers, Organizations, and Hotlines
- American Social Health Association (ASHA)
Your Resource for Sexual Health Education Since 1914.
ASHA is a comprehensive resource for patients and their partners, doctors, nurses, and health educators, offering herpes prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, disease management, and communications information. Regarded as America’s authority on sexually transmitted disease patient education and advocacy, ASHA’s publications cover the latest research and every aspect of the infection and its effect on people. Spanish publications are available. To order a free catalog, call (800) 783-9877. - Herpes Resource Center
Contact information for the Herpes Resource Center (HRC) sponsored by the American Social Health Association (ASHA). The HRC offers a variety of materials to assist people in learning about herpes and ways to manage the disease. Telephone (800) 230-6039. - Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood offers educational programs related to the diagnosis and treatment of genital herpes and living with a herpes diagnosis. Telephone (800) 230-PLAN. - National Herpes Hotline: (919) 361-8488
The National Herpes Hotline is operated by ASHA as part of the Herpes Resource Center. The hotline, which currently answers more than 30,000 calls a year, provides free counseling on herpes and offers referrals. The hotline is open from 9 AM to 7 PM, Eastern time, Monday through Friday. ASHA coordinates more than 90 local support groups, called HELP groups, in the United States, Canada, and Australia. - National STD Hotline (NSTDH): (800) 227-8922
Health information hotline dedicated to providing accurate basic information, referrals, and educational materials about a wide variety of sexually transmitted diseases, including gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital warts, herpes, and human papillomavirus. NSTDH information specialists answer basic STD questions, refer callers to local public health clinics or other local resources, and send written information. Topics covered include transmission, prevention, treatment and follow-up. The hotline operates from 8 AM to 11 PM Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
Herpes-Related Web Sites for Clinicians
For information on herpesviruses, the following web sites may be of interest.
1998 Guidelines for Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Disease
The treatment guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The International Herpes Alliance
This site provides extensive patient-focused information, including regional support group listings, issues and events, shared experiences of people living with herpes, and patient educational information available in multiple languages.
The International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI)
The oldest international organization in the field. Its objective is the achievement of international cooperation in the control of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection. Material primarily is of interest to members, but site includes a selection of herpes images.
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Provides major support for scientists conducting research aimed at developing better ways to diagnose, treat, and prevent the many infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases that afflict people worldwide. The genital herpes fact sheet can be found here.
From the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Infection and Immunity
This wide-ranging and detailed article examines herpes infections and man’s attempts to cope with them, from the days of Hippocrates to modern times.
New Zealand Herpes Foundation
Patient section includes herpes and pregnancy, recognizing genital herpes, and information for partners. Physician section contains downloadable treatment monographs and images of herpes outbreaks. Site is supported by GlaxoSmithKline New Zealand.
Herpes-Related Web Sites for Patients
For information on herpesviruses tailored to the needs of patients and laypersons. The following web sites may be of interest.
The American Social Health Association
ASHA’s main web site with a comprehensive, categorized list of links to various sites on sexually transmitted disease. The site has a glossary of sexual health terminology as well as information on the various ASHA programs and hotlines.
Anonymous Testing Services – tSTD.org
tSTD is a new anonymous testing service that offers Focus Technologies’ HerpeSelect® 1 and 2 ELISA IgG tests to detect herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2. tSTD also offers confidential testing for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia.
ASHA Herpes Resource Center
ASHA’s patient advocacy site with questions and answers for patients infected with herpesvirus, on-line educational materials, referral information for local support groups, and telephone numbers for counseling services.
Genital herpes fact sheet
Prepared by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Genital herpes fact sheet
Prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Varicella (chickenpox) information
Prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Healthcheckusa.com
Another anonymous testing service, HealthcheckUSA, also offers HerpeSelect® testing. Test pricing and lab availability vary, so comparison shopping is suggested. IMPORTANT: Interpreting test results should always be done by a qualified clinician, who can also offer counseling and treatment strategies.
Herpes.com
Interesting, although somewhat technical listing of facts about herpes (in some detail), including testing, theories for its cause, symptoms, occurrence during pregnancy, prevention, transmission, and its relationship to AIDS, among others. There is a section on treatments with links to informative sites. Nutrition is featured, with a table on lysine/arginine ratios of some foods. There is also a listing of local health groups.
Herpes Resource Center (Canadian)
Established in 2003, the Vancouver-based Herpes Resource Center reviews the myths and misconceptions surrounding herpes infections and offers tips on how to practice safer sex. A key offering: their 90-minute “teleclasses”, which serve as a forum for people with herpes who wish to obtain information and support in a confidential, anonymous manner. Telephone: 604-herpes-4
The International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections (IUSTI)
The oldest international organization in the field. Its objective is the achievement of international cooperation in the control of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection. Material primarily is of interest to members. The site does include a selection of herpes images.
Iwannaknow.org
Designed to answer questions about teen sexual health and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. The site also covers general sexual and relationship issues and features a moderated chat room where visitors may ask questions anonymously and share their concerns with others. Site is supported by ASHA and the Merck Company Foundation.
From the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Infection and Immunity, this wide-ranging and detailed article examines herpes infections and man’s attempts to cope with them, from the days of Hippocrates to modern times.
Original Herpes Homepage (HHP)
A support site created by and for people with herpes. The HHP has an interesting and varied list of links, but its premiere feature is its lively discussion forum. The content has not undergone medical review (the site is not affiliated with any medical organizations or pharmaceutical companies), so the visitor will want to check with his or her physician before acting on any advice found within.
Yoshi2me.com
A very informative site run by a HELP group facilitator, who was diagnosed with genital herpes in 1995. The site offers information and facts about genital herpes, cold sores (also known as oral herpes), herpes support groups, herpes social groups, herpes dating sites, herpes stories, as well as information on HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Yoshi2me.com has also compiled a comprehensive list http://www.yoshi2me.com/herpes-hpv-ssna.html of support groups from across the world.