Herpes is just a skin rash — with Debbie Barish, NP

Most adults in the world carry the virus that causes herpes. Most of them don't know it. And the shame around it is doing more damage than the virus.This week I sit down with Debbie Barish, DNP, MS, WHNP-BC — a board-certified women's health nurse practitioner with 32 years in sexual and reproductive health — for a no-shame, no-bullshit conversation about herpes (both HSV-1 and HSV-2). We get into what it actually is, how it's actually transmitted, why your standard STI panel doesn't test for it, what suppression therapy can (and can't) do, how to talk about it with a partner, and why this one virus carries so much more shame than other, often more serious, STIs.I also share my own diagnosis story for the first time on the show.We cover:What HSV actually is — and the difference (or lack of one) between HSV-1 and HSV-2Why most new genital herpes cases today are HSV-1How transmission really happens, and why 70% of cases come from people who don't know they have itWhy HSV is not part of a standard STI panel — and the one situation where a blood test is actually usefulWhat a first outbreak feels like, and how to take care of yourself through itSuppression therapy: how it works, how effective it is, what the side-effect profile actually looks likeDisclosure: when to tell a partner, how to say it, and what to do if they react badlyWhy herpes carries the stigma it does — and where that stigma comes fromHSV in pregnancyDebbie's own diagnosis story (including a 26-year-later reunion with the firefighter who gave it to her)Resources mentioned:World Health Organization — Herpes simplex virus fact sheet — global stats and overviewWashington University in St. Louis HSV research — Debbie's go-to source for current, accurate herpes informationAmerican Sexual Health Association (ASHA) — US, but the patient-facing info is universalPlanned Parenthood — STI information — US-based, info applies globallySF City Clinic — STI-specialized clinic in San Francisco (model for what to look for locally)If you're outside the US: Search for your country's national sexual health service. In the UK, Terrence Higgins Trust and the NHS herpes page. In Australia, Better Health Channel or Family Planning Australia. In Canada, Sex & U. Most public health systems have free or low-cost sexual health clinics — use them.Find Debbie: @thenewdebbieb on Instagram — where she posts zines and art journals about sexual and reproductive health.Citation for the transmission number: The 50% figure I give at the end of the episode is from Corey et al., 2004, New England Journal of Medicine — the landmark study on daily valacyclovir as suppression therapy for HSV-2 transmission. Read the study here.Heads-up: This episode talks openly about shame, self-image after diagnosis, and mental health. If those topics are heavy for you right now, take care of yourself listening.Connect with Shaun:Retreats and latest offerings: https://bit.ly/m/thelovedriveRead my blog: https://shaungalanos.substack.comThe Love Drive Podcast: https://shaungalanos.com/podcast/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelovedrive/More About Shaun: https://shaungalanos.com/about/Buy me a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thelovedrive