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Ok, well maybe this thread can be a tiny part of the solution to that stigma. First off herpes comes in two primary variants: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Most humans on Earth (between 60% and 95%) have HSV-1, and it's estimated that around 16% of humans have HSV-2. Herpes is extremely common. If you want references or more info, see the wikipedia page [0].

According to the article, the researchers are currently focused on HSV-1, and may work their way to HSV-2.

[0] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes_simplex

Supposedly they've stopped testing for herpes most of the time because of how likely it is someone has it, how unactionable the information is, and the stress it causes.

Anecdote: Doctors are certainly hesitant. I had to insist my doctor test me when I found out my then partner cheated on me.

At first glance, they're certainly reluctant to do so.

This kinda makes sense. A lot of people are asymptomatic carriers and there's not much you can do about it

There is also the correlation between HSV and dementia and Alzheimer’s.

We are still trying to figure out if some neurodegenerative diseases are caused by herpes viruses.

Having a vaccine is probably about the slowest way to figure that out, but if it turns out to be true then the problem is already solved.