Governing the contagious body: genital herpes, contagion and technologies of the self

Abstract

a b s t r a c t Genital herpes is a prevalent sexually transmitted viral infection. While genital herpes is not life-threatening, it can cause physical discomfort and psychosocial diffi culties, and may increase the risk of contracting HIV. Given that genital herpes cannot be cured, both the condition itself, and the possibility of passing it on to others, becomes a part of the everyday reality of those individuals diagnosed with genital herpes. In this article we explore the ways in which people with genital herpes attending the Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) clinic govern their 'contagious bodies'. The discussion draws on the Foucauldian concept of governmentality, and uses Foucault's idea of ethics as a framework to identify the technologies of the self by which individuals with genital herpes govern their own thoughts and behaviours in relation to the contagiousness of the condition. Implications for practice and other ways of thinking about what happens in the STI clinic context are suggested.k e y w o r d s contagion; genital herpes; governmentality; technologies of the self a

Healthcare experiences of women who have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection

“…The majority of participants expressed that they had not received sufficient information and support from their consulting physicians. This concurs with previous research that found insufficient information was received from physicians among women with chlamydia (Faxelid 1993), and literature that has suggested healthcare professionals provide ambiguous information pertaining to STIs (Oster & Cheek 2008). Likewise, in more recent literature, it has been reported that lack of support and counselling by physicians was expressed among a Brazilian sample who had contracted STI/s (Malta et al.…”

Diagnostic classification, viral sexually transmitted infections and discourses of femininity: limits of normalisation to erase stigma

“…Discursive norms of shame and stigma are powerful in impacting on women’s experience of STIs. Similar findings by Australian researchers Oster and Cheek (2008) indicate that for some women with genital herpes being perceived as sexually desirable by a potential sexual partner supersedes other goals such as negotiating safer sex and considering whether it is morally desirable to tell a partner.…”

Disrupted sense of self: young women and sexually transmitted infections

“…STIs influence sexual behaviour and contraceptive choices within relationships and may create strong emotional responses such as fear of rejection (Newton & McCabe 2005), guilt associated with STI transmission and concern that others are aware of an individual’s STI status (Rosenthal et al. 2006, Oster & Cheek 2008, Scrivener et al. 2008).…”