Psychosocial outcomes in individuals living with genital herpes.

Genital infection, a common chronic sexually transmitted infection, is associated with physical and psychosocial concerns. While recognizing that some patients are able to take advantage of medication to chronically suppress the virus, researchers have examined the role that stress and other variables play in the frequency of outbreaks a patient might experience. In this article, several theories are reviewed from the stress literature that relate to patients' experience with herpes: the adjustment issues associated with having herpes, the role of social support, and the issue of disclosure. These theories and their clinical implications are discussed within the context of nursing interventions.