BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Synchronicity - ECPv6.15.20//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://syncconference.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Synchronicity
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20250309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20251102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20260308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20261101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20270314T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20271107T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260320T104500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260320T121500
DTSTAMP:20260524T024436
CREATED:20260120T164536Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T174034Z
UID:10000159-1774003500-1774008900@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:Reframing Herpes Prevention\, Treatment\, and Care Through a Strengths-Based Lens: A Call to Normalize Herpes and Advance Stigma Informed Communication
DESCRIPTION:Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the most common yet misunderstood sexually transmitted infections\, often framed through a deficit-based lens emphasizing stigma\, fear\, and distress. This presentation issues a strengths-based call to action; reimagining HSV prevention\, treatment\, and care as opportunities to foster resilience\, agency\, and self-compassion among patients and providers. \nDrawing from two complementary studies\, the presentation will highlight how individuals living with HSV demonstrate strength\, empathy\, and adaptability while calling on healthcare providers to improve stigma-informed care\, patient engagement\, and normalization of HSV in sexual health communication. The first study\, based on qualitative interviews with healthcare providers across New York State\, explores how clinicians navigate patient anxiety and misinformation following a diagnosis. Providers emphasized empathetic communication\, reframing herpes as a manageable and common condition\, and using trust-building dialogue to reduce stigma\, underscoring how affirming\, person-centered clinical encounters can model best practices in care. The second study\, a national survey of over 1\,000 adults living with HSV\, identifies trends in disclosure behaviors\, treatment practices\, and mental well-being. Many respondents reported proactive engagement in safer sex practices\, timely treatment\, and open disclosure despite emotional challenges\, highlighting resilience and ethical commitment. Findings also point to the need for improved educational materials\, communication trainings that include communication strategies when delivering an HSV clinical diagnosis\, and acknowledgment of antiviral therapy’s psychological benefits. \nTogether\, these findings advance a reframing of HSV prevention\, treatment\, and care from pathology to possibility. This session will invite healthcare and public health professionals to embrace strengths-based\, stigma-informed strategies.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/reframing-herpes-prevention-treatment-and-care-through-a-strengths-based-lens-a-call-to-normalize-herpes-and-advance-stigma-informed-communication/
LOCATION:Terrace
CATEGORIES:Track Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://syncconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/TrackHero-STIs.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR