title: Herpes genitalis and the philosopher's stance.
abstract: For many people, living with genital herpes generates not just episodic physical discomfort but recurrent emotional distress, centred on concerns about how to live and love safely without passing infection to others. This article considers the evidence on herpes transmission, levels of sexual risk, when the law has intervened and to what extent health professionals should advise with respect to these issues. It proposes a mechanism by which moral philosophy might provide a rational basis on which to counsel concerning sexual behaviour.
authors.affiliation: West Hertfordshire Sexual Health Directorate, Watford and St Albans Sexual Health Clinics, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Watford, Hertfordshire, UK.
authors.forename: Kilian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dunphy
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D014943:Global Health; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D009014:Morals; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000523:psychology; D012731:Sex Counseling; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology