Jezebel: Herpes

Magic Anti-HIV Gel May Also Protect Against Herpes

Margaret Hartmann — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:40:00 EDT

Last year AIDS researchers gave fellow scientists a standing ovation when they announced they'd developed a gel that reduced HIV infections by 39%. Now a new study has proven that the product can also protect against herpes. The gel was originally intended to cut HIV infection rates in Africa, but now there's talk of bringing it to the U.S. too. More »

Woman Has Affair, Sues Lover For Giving Her Herpes

Irin Carmon — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:05:39 EDT

A Wisconsin woman is suing a man for $350,000 for giving her herpes. She hopes to get a payout from his homeowner and auto insurance. They were both married to other people at the time, but spent a day having an affair in Madison, the suit said. More »

A New Blonde Has Moved Into Hugh Hefner's Bedroom

Dodai Stewart — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 09:00:00 EDT

Rebound! Hef is dating a new Playboy model, 25-year-old Anna Sophia Berglund. She was Playmate of The Month in January, and you will find this absolutely shocking, but she is blonde. Apparently she and Hef are already calling each other "babe," although it's possible that from time to time she may slip up and call him "bank." She's moved into Hef's room, and on movie night, they were seen kissing and cuddling. I almost typed "curdling," which somehow also seems possible. [Showbiz Spy, TMZ] More »

Believing He Got Herpes, Man Kills Self, Three Women

Irin Carmon — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 17:50:00 EDT

College student Alexandria J. Baker Pierce drove to Durham on Friday with two friends to tell the guy she'd slept with that she hadn't in fact given him herpes. Brinton Marcell Millsap, 23, responded by fatally shooting all three and then killing himself. More »

FDA Lambastes Phony HIV, Herpes Cures

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Tue, 03 May 2011 15:20:00 EDT

The Food and Drug Administration announced this week that it's going after over a dozen companies selling non-prescription pills and supplements—like Medavir, Herpaflor and C-Cure—that purport to cure STDs like HIV, Herpes and HPV. Federal health officials say that none of these products have been proven to be effective treatment for such diseases and are in fact a public health hazard, since patients could put off seeking proper medical care by taking the phony pills, allowing their conditions to worsen. More »

Which Shitty Tabloid Should You Waste Money On This Holiday?

Dodai Stewart — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:20:00 EST

Welcome to a Very Special Episode of Midweek Madness, in which we have very little patience for crappy, recycled gossip and really just want to sleep late and eat sweet potato pie. More »

Japan Likely To Reject Ban On Sexualization Of Minors • Playboy Model Jailed For Boob-Grope

Katy Kelleher — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 17:30:00 EDT

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• Lawmakers in Japan are likely to reject a proposed bill on tightening regulations on sexual imagery of minors in animation and comics. The bill also urges distributors to ban minors' access to cartoons or games that depict rape. • More »

Pharma Company Working On Herpes Gel

Katy Kelleher — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 09:40:00 EDT

Drug company Starpharma says they hope to release the world's first herpes-killing gel within two years. Although other companies are working on a vaginal gel to prevent HIV, Starpharma thinks the herp-specific goo will be a better seller. [Business Week] More »

Ha-Ha Headline Of The Day

Katy Kelleher — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:40:00 EST

Science Now reports: "Herpes Never Sleeps." But under the funny heading comes some bad news - herpes may be much easier to transmit that previously believed. [ScienceNow] More »

The Real World: Herpes, Spit, Water, Tears

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT

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On last night's episode, Ayiiia mocked Emo Joey's oral herpes. In retaliation, he spit on her tacos, and antagonized her by singing her a song. She threw water, getting some in his guitar. This made Emo Joey cry. More »

What Insult Did John Corbett Make To Mary Lynn Rajskub?!?

Katy Kelleher — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:00:00 EST

Mary Lynn Rajskub from 24 was on The Tonight Show last night discussing her former career as a waitress and a strange run-in with former Northern Exposure actor John Corbett. More »

10 Best Judge Judy Moments of 2008

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:00:00 EST

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Urinary Tract Infections, abusive husbands and "marginal people" are just a few of the best Judge Judy moments of 2008. More »

20 Best Reality TV Show Moments Of 2008

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 17:30:00 EST

From ANTM's menstrual cramps, to Bobby Brown's farts, to drunk women urinating on couches, we bring you the 20 Best (meaning, sometimes horrifying) Reality TV Show Moments of 2008.
More »

Sores Subject

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:40:00 EST

Wanna give someone herpes? Now you can, minus all the resentment, burning and the pricey Valtrex prescription! This company is selling a Giant Microbes Herpes stuffed toy, that's supposedly "soft, cute, durable, well made, and educational." [BWE] More »

A Pot Psychology Summer: Looking Back At The Things You Never Saw

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EDT

Summer will officially be over in a few days. :( So for this installment of Pot Psychology, the "advice" column in which we attempt to solve everyone's problems with an herbal remedy, Rich and I take a look back at our favorite things you never saw, and answer some questions that were pretty stupid. Got a burning question? Send it to potpsych@jezebel.com. (Please keep them short; they're verrrry hard to read when stoned.) More »

Judge Judy Says "Whatevs" To Spreading Herpes On The Internet

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:00:00 EDT

Judge Judy is always talking about how she doesn't like computers and she doesn't use the internet, but even though she's not technologically savvy, she still seems to have a pretty good grip on the milieu of internet commenting, particularly that of MySpace. In a case today, a man was counter suing a woman who posted on his MySpace page that he has herpes. The glitch is that he told her he did. Basically, according to JJ, we just have to understand that the internet is a place where people will be mean assholes, and they can pretty much say whatever they want, so long as they believe what they are saying is true. Clip above. More »

"Is Believing In Creationism Grounds For A Breakup?"

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:20:00 EDT

It's time for another installment of Pot Psychology, the "advice" column in which we attempt to solve everyone's problems with an herbal remedy. (Remember, kids: Don't do drugs!) In this episode, Rich, the judge to my Judy, helps me answer questions about golden showers, pizza dough, and affectionate cats. Got a burning question? Send it to potpsych@jezebel.com. (Please keep them short; they're verrrry hard to read when stoned.) More »

Sores Subject

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:40:00 EDT

Herpes: It's not whatevs to oysters. Apparently there's an outbreak of OsHV-1 (Oyster Herpesvirus type 1) that's killing almost all of the young oysters in France. According to the peeps in the lab coats, it has something to do with the fact that the baby oysters "spent too much energy developing their sexual organs rather than their natural defenses." Heh. Isn't that how most of us contract herpes? [Reuters] More »

"If You Punch Someone Really Hard In Their Fake Boob, Will It Explode?"

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:20:00 EDT

It's time for another installment of Pot Psychology, the advice column in which everyone's problems are solved with an "herbal" remedy. (Remember, kids: Don't do drugs!) In this episode, the Mariah to my Whitney, Rich, and put together a clips reel of outtakes with some of the dumber and more offensive questions. Got a burning question? Send it to potpsych@jezebel.com. (Please keep them short; they're verrrry hard to read when stoned.) More »

Sore Subjects

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:20:00 EDT

OMFG! Word on the street — or on science websites, rather — is that doctors might be close to finding a cure for herpes! Researchers have discovered that a mysterious gene carried by herpes simplex-1 allows the virus to "lay low in the nerves it infects." Now that they've been able to detect this, they feel that it's possible to "wake" up the virus, in order to kill it with standard antiviral drugs. Good news, in no small part because one strain of herpes may cause brain cancer. [Reuters, Science Daily, Sciam] More »

Yeah, People Wore Condoms…When The Naked Gun Was In Theaters!

Moe — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:30:00 EDT

The Naked Gun Was In Theaters!" alt="Click here to read Yeah, People Wore Condoms…When The Naked Gun Was In Theaters!" src="http://cache.jezebel.com/assets/images/39/2008/06/be/fe/befe5fe7e9d59b3a18256a28c72a16cd.jpg"/>

Remember how, like, back in the day people were so super vigilant about wearing condoms? I grew up in the eighties and think I learned about condoms before I learned about sex. But anyhow, times change and a new survey out says 40% of New Yorkers did not use condoms during their last sexual encounter. This shocked my friend Jessica, who immediately IMed me to get my theories. It turned out that I was quite the expert in this sort of…stuff? She posted the IM on her website, and I encourage you to read it, because it is at least as funny as the Herman's Hermits human condom love scene montage from The Naked Gun, which I found for you just in time for the TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY of that movie. Watch it after the jump. [NY Mag] More »

Let's Talk About Sex(ually Transmitted Diseases)

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:00:00 EDT

I feel like I'm constantly talking about the STDs I have/had, to the point that I'm pretty sure my friends are sick of hearing about it and I'm paranoid that people I first meet (who might know about it, thanks to the internet) give me weird looks when I sit on their furniture. And even though I'm burdened with forever being identified with this onetime blemish outbreak on my vagina (that's really all herpes is, BTW) that happened three years ago, I think it's important to talk about, so I'll continue to do so. However, it would be way easier on me if you all would share your STD stories. (You're all anonymous anyway!) Anyway, I'll get the party started, by going in depth — literally and figuratively! More »

"Does The Horrific Taste Of Vagina Become Less Vomitous As I Get Used To Oral?"

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:20:00 EDT

It's time for another installment of Pot Psychology, the advice column in which everyone's problems are solved with an "herbal" remedy. (Remember, kids: Don't do drugs!) In this episode, the Molly to my Nomi, Rich, helps me dole out advice on stuff like smegma, internet sex, and incest. Got a burning question? Send it to tips@jezebel.com with "Pot Psychology" in the subject line. (Please keep them short; they're verrrry hard to read when stoned.) More »

Florida Outlaws Truck Nuts? • Congo Arrests Cock Snatchers

maria — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:30:00 EDT

• Being a tool just got harder: Florida may fine drivers with truck nuts. • EHarmony ditches one-night stand advice after super-prudes protest. • Pervy dude peeps on roommate using teddy bear camera. • Superstitious Congolese police arrest suspected "penis snatchers"; men must find new excuse for small dicks. • Pasha Grishuk, a former Olympic figure skater, was slipped GHB in hotel bar. • Is schoolyard sexual harassment is more harmful than bullying? • Yet another teenage girl commits suicide after being bullied. • Domestic violence is associated with chronic malnutrition in India. • Indian-Americans use email to get to know future spouses in arranged marriages. • Duh: TMZ uses exciting headlines to get hits on banal videos. • Earth Day = Forced Abortion and Sterilization Day? • Women nurse pain after a break-up by selling jewelry from ex-boyfriends for cash. • Fliering an ex's town accusing her of giving you herpes is a-ok in Florida, as long as the allegations are true. More »

Do You Tell Sex Partners About Your STDs?

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 18:30:00 EDT

I have herpes. I've written about it on the internet before, and that fact comes back to bite me in the ass way more frequently than any blisters do. But it's somewhat of a relief that it's out there, because I feel less of a burden of having to tell new people I bang, since these days, the people I sleep with tend to have read up on my sexual history. But I never used to tell people, mainly because I only ever had that one outbreak, so it just didn't really seem like a part of my life. I was with my last boyfriend for a few years and we never wore condoms and he never broke out in blisters. (I also never told him about having herpes until like right before we broke up, after we hadn't slept together for a few months.) But I wonder if anyone tells the people they're sleeping with about their past or presently-dormant STDs. Let's figure it out by taking the poll after the jump! More »

"How Do I Tell A Casual Sex Partner I May Have Given Him Herpes?"

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:20:00 EDT

It's time for another installment of Pot Psychology, the advice column in which everyone's problems are solved with an "herbal" remedy. (Remember, kids: Don't do drugs!) In this episode, the wind beneath my wings, Rich, and I dole out advice on stuff like low libidos, virgin friends, and how everyone is probably gay. Got a burning question? Send it to tips@jezebel.com with "Pot Psychology" in the subject line. (Please keep them short; they're verrrry hard to read when stoned.) More »

One in four teenage girls has an STD! And...

Moe — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:20:00 EDT

One in four teenage girls has an STD! And the rate isn't much lower for teenage girls who haven't had sex, since...um...not all sexually-transmitted diseases are sexually-transmitted? The math is still sorta fuzzy to us, but one thing is not! It's SINEWY BLACK THUGS who are infecting these virginal young virgins. Or anyway, this is the stock photo CNN used to illustrate this alarming new trend story. [CNN] More »

Flavor Flav Draws The Line At Herpes

Slut Machine — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:00:00 EST

On last night's episode of Flavor of Love 3, the girls were split into two teams and given the sadistic task of "roasting" one girl of their choice from the opposite team. Thing is, because the roast wasn't coming from a place of love and respect, it was just a bunch of girls telling mean jokes. One of the girls roasted was Hotlanta, and after sitting through jokes about her weight, vagina odor, and career as a stripper, she was then accused of having oral herpes. Flav got freaked out by the whole thing (guess he didn't get the memo that herpes is so whatevs) and had a doctor perform a weird test on her. Weirder than that is the idea that Flav managed to avoid contracting herpes during the first two seasons of this show. Clip above. More »

Would You Rather Have A Baby Or Herpes?

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:00:00 EST

Herpes Vigilante: Innocent Or Asshole?

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:00:00 EDT

By now, you may have heard about the Brooklyn woman who, after contracting herpes during a condomless one-night stand, was angry enough to start both a a blog about the perpetrator and plaster her neighborhood with 400 fliers. Since herpes is sorta my beat here, I really wanted to weigh in on this thing and say that I think this girl is a giant asshole. I understand that she thinks that she's doing some sort of service by alerting the public to this "dangerous" guy, but really I think the worst thing you can do as a person with herpes is to further perpetuate the stigma associated with it by telling people not to fuck someone who has it. It's like she's cutting off her nose to spite her blistered crotch. She says:

i am not being unfair. and while i am driven by revenge and anger, i am also driven by the desire to stop drew (and other people) from knowingly spreading STDs around.

Herpes: It may actually not be so whatevs...

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:45:00 EDT

Herpes: It may actually not be so whatevs anymore. Researchers at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine believe that the herpes virus could potentially help fight breast cancer. There's a big scientific explanation about why it's beneficial (something to do with cell replication and the immune system) that you can read about here, but essentially, it says that the herpes virus can be used to kill tumors. There's also potential for it to work as a vaccine. But don't worry, people treated with the herpes-cancer-killer wouldn't actually contract the virus. [Science Daily] More »

Victoria's Secret model Adriana Lima tells...

Jennifer — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 12:45:00 EDT

Victoria's Secret model Adriana Lima tells New York magazine that she is best known for "my breasts... and my virginity." Her virginity? How did we miss this one? Then again she is one of Derek Jeter's exes, so maybe it was the fear of herpes that turned her towards chastity. [NYMag] More »

The 'Us Weekly' Hookup Guide: How To Get Herpes

Dodai Stewart — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 10:30:00 EDT

Our little sister once sent us a text message that read, "Herpes is everywhere. Like God." Then we started working at Jezebel and we knew it was true. And, if a certain feature spread in the new Us Weekly is any indication, every one in Hollywood has it. See, there's this "Meet The King & Queen of Fling" lovechain — kind of a rip-off of the herpes tree — except it centers around John Mayer and Cameron Diaz. Between the two of them, pretty much anyone going to the MTV awards is probably infected. Why? Derek Jeter is on the chart. Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Jake Gyllenhaal, Diddy, Jessica Biel — the gang's all here! We never buy stocks but we're totally investing in whoever makes Valtrex. The full spread, after the jump. More »

Porn Star Belladonna Gets The Herp, Retires

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 14:30:00 EDT

Porn stars! They're just like us! They have herpes, too. Adult film actress Belladonna, she of Black Dicks in White Chicks fame, and the girl most likely to do double anal [Jesus Christ. I just ate lunch!—Ed.] is retiring from performing on-camera with others and from now on will only do solo (as in masturbation) scenes after discovering a herpes rash on her ass, she said on her MySpace page recently. More »

Contrary To Popular Belief, Herpes Is So Whatevs

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 18:30:00 EDT

In a recent poll about relationships, genital herpes was ranked the second highest social stigma—HIV came in first—ahead of gonorrhea, mental illness, obesity, substance abuse, and cancer. Of the 2000 people surveyed, 503 were adults with genital herpes. That actually makes sense because, according to the CDC, one in five adults have had a genital herpes outbreak. And the stats are even higher for women (approximately one in four). In fact, two of five Jezebels has the herp. So why all the shame? Given that herpes is so common, that it can be contracted while wearing a condom, and that outbreaks are for the most part, few and far between (and for some of us, never recur), we're admittedly offended that people are, well, offended by our infection that is comparatively so fucking benign. More »

Did Derek Jeter Gave Poor Jessica Alba Herpes?

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 18:00:00 EDT

So rumor has it that Jessica Alba is chasing the Valtrex dragon and that it was that damn Yankee Derek Jeter who gave it to her. More »

Reese Witherspoon's Lopsided Lip: Simple Stress Or Cold Sores?

Anna Holmes — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 12:20:34 EDT

When It Comes To Women's Health, WebMD Is Still Living For, Well, Yesterday

Jennifer — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 17:20:19 EDT

Apparently the folks over at WebMD didn't get the memo today about new recommendations for women at risk of one of the deadliest types of cancer. We know this because we went to WebMD to type in some of the newly-identified symptoms — "bloating", "fullness" "pelvic pain" and "tenderness to touch" — and instead of coming up with, say, ovarian cancer, we got the following: More »