- Categories:
- Health
- Tags:
- Awareness
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every October 13
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Herpes Awareness Day spotlights the importance of education and dispelling myths every October 13. This day is a crucial opportunity to start conversations about herpes infections, understand treatment options, and work to destroy the pervasive stigma. Join the movement by sharing accurate information, supporting advocacy groups, and fostering empathy.
Want to sponsor Herpes Awareness Day? Learn how
Expected Herpes Awareness Day Deals
Herpes Awareness Day, observed on October 13, focuses on education and destigmatization rather than commercial deals. Organizations like the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) lead awareness campaigns, often partnering with healthcare providers and public health initiatives to distribute educational resources and promote testing. Brands like FemiClear, a sponsor of National Herpes Awareness Day, support the cause by highlighting their symptom relief products and contributing to public education efforts. Many local health clinics and non-profits offer free or reduced-cost screenings and consultations during this period. We encourage everyone to visit official health organization websites for verified information and ways to support the ongoing efforts to reduce stigma and improve public health outcomes.
Platform Guide for Herpes Awareness Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #HerpesAwarenessDay. Share infographics, personal stories, or educational content to spark conversation and reduce stigma.
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Mention @NatlToday and use #HerpesAwarenessDay. Engage in real-time discussions, share expert insights, and amplify messages from health organizations.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #HerpesAwarenessDay. Join community groups, share supportive messages, and promote local awareness events.
Herpes Awareness Day Hero
Dr. Anna Wald
History of Herpes Awareness Day
Herpes has been one of the most misunderstood (and mistreated) ailments in history. It has been around for millions of years and affected nearly every species of human along the evolutionary scale. In fact, in 2017, scientists discovered the ancient primate believed to have been herpes patient zero. Needless to say, we hominids have been dealing with the itching, burning, tingling pain of herpes for millennia.
However, the stigma around herpes is relatively new. Throughout most of modern medical history (ie. the 20th century) the stigma of herpes was relatively low. Yes, it was a sexually transmitted infection, but it was also transmitted through other forms of contact and it wasn’t considered a discrete type of infection until the 1960s.
By the 1980s, herpes, particularly Herpes Simplex II, the virus known to cause most genital cases, became a very real source of public shame and embarrassment. Time Magazine labeled it “the new sexual leprosy” bringing with it the expected stigma and turning it into a boogeyman on the level of other sexually transmitted diseases.
The fact is, having herpes shouldn’t dramatically change a person’s self-worth and sexual health. Herpes Awareness Day was created to start a conversation around the condition and encourage people to seek treatment for the symptoms (there’s currently no cure) and promote healthy, reasonable discourse about the virus’ actual impact on people’s lives. It’s an important conversation that is long overdue and the folks at FemiClear are taking the lead as they try to help women living with genital herpes get their lives back.
Herpes Awareness Day timeline
Nearly one and a half million years ago, HSV-2 made the leap from African Apes to one of our early human ancestors. It’s been with us in one form or another since then.
It is believed that due to an outbreak of herpes, Roman Emperor Tiberius temporarily banned kissing. It would be the first of many overreactions to the disease throughout history.
The first reference to Herpes Simplex is found in Richard Boulton’s A System of Rational and Practical Chirurgery (a real page turner, we’re assured).
Despite being part of human culture for millenia, the exact nature of herpes wasn’t discovered until the 1940s when it was identified as a virus.
Aciclovir is the first widely-used antiviral medication for the treatment of HSV-2. It would be followed by several others in subsequent decades.
Time Magazine contributed to genital herpes sensationalism with a cover story inaccurately describing Herpes as an epidemic.
FemiClear hits shelves in the U.S. providing women with herpes symptom relief and leading the charge against the stigma of herpes.
Herpes Awareness Day - Survey Results
Herpes Awareness Day FAQs
When is Herpes Awareness Day?
Herpes Awareness Day 2026 falls on Tuesday, October 13. It’s a key date for public health campaigns aimed at education and destigmatization.
How common is herpes in the United States?
Herpes is quite common; according to the CDC, approximately one in six people aged 14 to 49 years in the U.S. have genital herpes. The input text notes it impacts nearly 16% of women in this age group.
What is the stigma surrounding herpes?
The stigma around herpes often stems from misinformation and societal judgment, leading to feelings of shame, isolation, and reluctance to seek testing or treatment. Herpes Awareness Day aims to challenge these negative perceptions.
What is the difference between HSV-1 and HSV-2?
Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1) typically causes oral herpes (cold sores), while Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2) is usually responsible for genital herpes. However, both types can infect either area.
How to Observe Herpes Awareness Day
Educate yourself about genital herpes
What do you really know about HSV-1 and 2? Probably less than you thought. Take the time to educate yourself about these viruses and the stigmas around them.
Have a conversation about genital herpes
It may sound difficult but the more taboo we make talking about genital herpes, the longer the stigma will continue to impact those with the virus
If you think you have it, seek treatment
This is a no-brainer but it's easy to feel too embarrassed to see a doctor. If you’re experiencing symptoms, get treated, and hopefully kick some of that embarrassment because you’re not alone
Why Herpes Awareness Day is Important
Because one in six women have the virus and many don’t know it
Women are twice as likely to have genital herpes compared to men. It is estimated that 16% of women have herpes while just slightly over 8% of men have the condition. National Herpes Awareness Day hopes to bring some of that to light.
It can often go untreated due to embarrassment
It’s not easy to admit that you have herpes, even to a doctor, so many don’t seek the treatment they need because the stigma is too great.
Because this stigma needs to go
The genital herpes stigma is pervasive and ill-deserved. It is a very common disease and while it can’t be cured, it can be well treated. The conversation needs to happen to bring this pernicious stigma down.
Herpes Awareness Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | October 13 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | October 13 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | October 13 | Friday |
| 2029 | October 13 | Saturday |
| 2030 | October 13 | Sunday |
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