The Prevention and Management of Genital Herpes: A Community Health Approach

The incidence of genital herpes, a sexually transmitted disease (STD) of epidemic proportions in the community, is increasing. Meeting the health needs of clients and the public concerning genital herpes is a challenge to community health nurses (CHNs). Little information is available concerning both the physical and psychosocial responses of young adults to genital herpes. This article reviews the changing epidemiology of genital herpes and the psychosocial consequences experienced by those living with the disease--emotional distress, stress associated with recurrences, sexual responses, alterations in interpersonal relationships, and coping and adaptation. The Permission-Limited Information-Specific Suggestion-Intensive Therapy (P-LI-SS-IT) model, a model for intervention and referral, can be used with clients who have the disease to prevent the disabling consequences of the disease. Educating the public is necessary to prevent transmission of this silent epidemic among the population.