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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Herpes / April 2005437737...Why those numbers?
Hello everyone, I am finally starting to be able to accept my condition and be able to go on with minimal problems. Things have really calmed down alot and I feel almost "normal". I was doing some research and heard that there is a code for herpes called 437737, and at first I saw this a couple of weeks ago in reference to finding people on dating sites, but I think it seems that it is a code in general. Does anyone have knowledge as to why these numbers are used to secretly identify people with herpes? My other question is that if this is a code for genital warts (hpv) also or just genital herpes? I guess this is a good way to let others know you have it without coming right out and saying it. Tom >Does anyone have knowledge as to why these numbers are >used to secretly identify people with herpes? It's a secret ;-) ..... or at least it used to be, so I'm not letting the cat out of the bag here. Like most secret codes, it's becoming more and more common knowledge. It started on AOL years ago as a way for people with Herpes to indicate their status in personal ads without outing themselves to the non-herpes world. Look at the dial pad on your telephone. The numbers 437737 spell out Herpes on the dial pad. >My other question is that if >this is a code for genital warts (hpv) also or just genital herpes? No, the code for Genital Warts would be 4364825 92787 ;-) ..... kidding.... I haven't seen a code for Genital warts. >I guess >this is a good way to let others know you have it without coming right out >and saying it. Yep. If you have a profile on Yahoo or AOL or anyplace else, just plug it in there somewhere. If anyone does a profile search on that keyword, they'll find you. M2 Okay, and do you think it would be risky to get a license plate holder that has 437737 on the back of it? I mean I don't want people to start attacking me or anything because they have some hate against people with herpes. I have seen people that have rainbow pyramids and other rainbow decals on cars for the code for gay/lesbians, so I guess this is no different. I am sure most people don't even know what 437737 means anyway. You could just tell them its your lucky numbers or something like that if you want to keep it a secret. > >Does anyone have knowledge as to why these numbers are > >used to secretly identify people with herpes? [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > M2 Why would you need to do that??? There are plenty of people who have outed the numbers online. So, if you think it is a secret, it isn't. ar >Okay, and do you think it would be risky to get a license plate holder that >has 437737 on the back of it? I mean I don't want people to start attacking [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] >> >> M2 I don't know, just trying to come to terms with it I guess. I feel like I am coming out of the closet, kind of the same way that a person who is gay comes out of the closet with that lifestyle. I just don't want the world to know, but want to feel like its not a horrible, shameful thing to have. The emotional trauma was almost as bad as the physical things I had. > Why would you need to do that??? > > There are plenty of people who have outed the numbers online. So, if you think > it is a secret, it isn't. > > ar >I don't know, just trying to come to terms with it I guess. I feel like I am >coming out of the closet, kind of the same way that a person who is gay >comes out of the closet with that lifestyle. I just don't want the world to >know, but want to feel like its not a horrible, shameful thing to have. The >emotional trauma was almost as bad as the physical things I had. Have you checked out "Infectious Awareables"? Here's their HSV aware catalogue: http://www.5clickstore.com/iawareables/product.cfm?ProductID=39 http://www.5clickstore.com/iawareables/product.cfm?ProductID=97 http://www.5clickstore.com/iawareables/product.cfm?ProductID=98 http://www.5clickstore.com/iawareables/product.cfm?ProductID=14 http://www.5clickstore.com/iawareables/product.cfm?ProductID=160 http://www.5clickstore.com/iawareables/product.cfm?ProductID=153 http://www.5clickstore.com/iawareables/product.cfm?ProductID=39 Their home page: http://www.iawareables.com/home.htm I'm not affiliated, either! Take care, Mike >> Why would you need to do that??? >> There are plenty of people who have outed the numbers online. So, if you >think >> it is a secret, it isn't. >> ar Okay, thanks, I'll look at that. Tom > Here's their HSV aware catalogue: > [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > >> ar >Have you checked out "Infectious Awareables"? For some reason, not sure why, I feel the need to voice an opinion. Not sure why, not expecting to change anybody's mind, but I have a minute and need the typing practice so here's fair warning. Don't bother reading further unless you're just bored. Over the last few years, I've been seeing lots of people advocating getting the truth out about Herpes and I think that's a worthy objective. But some ideas of how to do it are more effective than others and some, in my opinion, can do more harm than good. Maybe it's just me, but a printed message that merely states "Stop the SPREAD!" doesn't really educate the uneducated. In fact, it seems to be saying "Run for your lives! There's a Herpster in our midst!!" You see what I mean? Like yelling "Fire" in a crowded theatre when someone has only rubbed some sticks together. And if not that, it seems to indicate, at first glance, that Herpsters should at least be segregated into colonies like Lepars used to be. Granted, anyone with an open mind or a bit of prior HSV knowledge won't take the message like that. But most non-H people have no clue and I don't think getting their attention in this manner is effective unless it is follwed up very quickly with some actual facts, which a Tshirt (or tie) wearer will seldom have the opportunity to do. On the other hand, something like the magnetic signs I mentioned earlier, doesn't use the "scare/shock/jolt attention getting strategy" and works better in my opinion. Says something simple like "Want to separate common myth from the fact about Herpes? Call the Herpes Help line at xxx-xxxx" or words to that effect. First, it immediately suggests that common herp knowledge may be untrue, and it also diddles with the curiosity mechanism of a previously uninterested reader. Hopefully diddles it enough to get them to check it out. I dunno. I'm no marketing expert by any stretch. But that's my take on it for what it's worth. >I'm not affiliated, either! I know your not. And thanks for bringing it up. I've seen the site referenced in other herp venues but just never felt the urge to voice my opinion until now. Don't know what's come over me this morning ;-) Seems I've run out of time though... .... so much for my typing practice... M2 >>Have you checked out "Infectious Awareables"? >For some reason, not sure why, I feel the need to voice an opinion. >Not sure why, not expecting to change anybody's mind, but I have a >minute and need the typing practice so here's fair warning. Don't >bother reading further unless you're just bored. I'm neither bored nor bothered, and it looks like you're getting the hang of that typing thang, so I'm just going to go ahead and read! >Over the last few years, I've been seeing lots of people advocating >getting the truth out about Herpes and I think that's a worthy [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >first glance, that Herpsters should at least be segregated into >colonies like Lepars used to be. Well, maybe. I mean, I see your point, and no doubt "Stop the SPREAD" is alarmist sounding and therefore may serve to reinforce the stereotypes of fear and disease, but it could also be an ice breaker, a conversation piece, or an awareness raiser. It could make people think. Yeah, they'd have to think on their own, which could be dangerous, but I think it's a danger we have to accept. Some may recall that I ordered the HSV t-shirts from IA a few years ago, but intrepid as I am, have yet to wear either one out where the public had a chance to see 'em, except briefly by accident. I see them more as novelties than anything else, but must confess I never considered any aspect other than the "HSV" on them. Now I have something else to be afraid of. ;-) I do think that part of the message about HSV has to do with stopping the spread, however. If fear gets people to find out a little more about the disease, to get educated, to get the facts, to protect themselves from something that they'd rather not have to deal with, then that's good, too. >Granted, anyone with an open mind or a bit of prior HSV knowledge >won't take the message like that. But most non-H people have no clue >and I don't think getting their attention in this manner is effective >unless it is follwed up very quickly with some actual facts, which a >Tshirt (or tie) wearer will seldom have the opportunity to do. How about, "Don't be afraid of HSV. Call Mike at 555-xxxx"? Kinda catchy, don't ya think? >On the other hand, something like the magnetic signs I mentioned >earlier, doesn't use the "scare/shock/jolt attention getting strategy" [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >with the curiosity mechanism of a previously uninterested reader. >Hopefully diddles it enough to get them to check it out. >I dunno. I'm no marketing expert by any stretch. But that's my take on >it for what it's worth. My man's intuition tells me you're probably right, though I feel that both t-shirts and magnetic signs are small potatoes in the larger gnocchi of HSV awareness promotion, though I also tend to think that any kind of exposure is good exposure. Some people will use any message to reinforce their negative stereotypes, and others will always take a more empathetic approach. The people in the middle are up for grabs, and I think that between TV, the internet, and the odd happenstance of t-shirt, ball cap, or mag sign, the awareness level, and understanding of the disease, can only go up, and that can only be good in the long run. >>I'm not affiliated, either! >I know your not. And thanks for bringing it up. I've seen the site >referenced in other herp venues but just never felt the urge to voice >my opinion until now. Don't know what's come over me this morning ;-) It's SPRING! When a young man's fancy turns to thoughts of Love, and therefore STDs and marketing! >Seems I've run out of time though... >.... so much for my typing practice... Pretty soon we'll be calling you M-not-2slo2cht. Mike ps. Any resemblance between one not and another is purely coincidental. Yeesh. >I see your point, and no doubt "Stop the >SPREAD" is alarmist sounding and therefore may serve to reinforce >the stereotypes of fear and disease, but it could also be an ice >breaker, a conversation piece, or an awareness raiser. It could >make people think. If the positive effect would outweigh the negative reinforcement, I'd be all for it. But I'm skeptical. How's about "Stop the Ignorance!" instead? M2 >>I see your point, and no doubt "Stop the >>SPREAD" is alarmist sounding and therefore may serve to reinforce >>the stereotypes of fear and disease, but it could also be an ice >>breaker, a conversation piece, or an awareness raiser. It could >>make people think. >If the positive effect would outweigh the negative reinforcement, I'd >be all for it. But I'm skeptical. >How's about "Stop the Ignorance!" instead? If you have it in bright red, I'll take two, please. Size: medium. Mike >I don't know, just trying to come to terms with it I guess. I feel like I am >coming out of the closet, kind of the same way that a person who is gay >comes out of the closet with that lifestyle. I just don't want the world to >know, but want to feel like its not a horrible, shameful thing to have. The >emotional trauma was almost as bad as the physical things I had. Well, do what you think you have to do. But all you really have to do is come to terms with it in your own head. You are the only one that can make it not horrible and shameful. ar Well one of the reasons I thought of the signage is to show everyone that even "regular looking" people driving pretty nice cars can have "H" in my case both H's. I think there is a feeling that people with herpes and hpv are people that are out of the mainstream, and that's just not true. I'm kind of tired of the stigma that people have and sometimes snicker or laugh when they are aware that another person has "H". > >I don't know, just trying to come to terms with it I guess. I feel like I am > >coming out of the closet, kind of the same way that a person who is gay [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > ar >Well one of the reasons I thought of the signage is to show everyone that >even "regular looking" people driving pretty nice cars can have "H" in my >case both H's. I think there is a feeling that people with herpes and hpv >are people that are out of the mainstream, and that's just not true. I'm >kind of tired of the stigma that people have and sometimes snicker or laugh >when they are aware that another person has "H". Then don't hide it behind a secret code that only other herpsters will know. If you want to "come out" and tell everyone that normal people have herpes too, then you'll have to actually "come out" to do it. :) Hiding behind a secret code won't do a darn bit of good. ar Well I suppose you have a point and I did make it known to my family and friends (closest ones), but I am really too shy to talk about it more than that. I wouldn't want to let anyone at work know about it for instance. I'm a shy person and I don't like confrontation or being the center of attention. I just figured a code could let other herpsters know as well as a select few people who also know about it and they would probably be people dating others that have it. My girlfriend, who also has herpes said that she wanted to come out and give speeches at schools to try to counsel teenagers about herpes. That's a great idea, but I'm just not that personality. > Then don't hide it behind a secret code that only other herpsters will know. If > you want to "come out" and tell everyone that normal people have herpes too, > then you'll have to actually "come out" to do it. :) Hiding behind a secret > code won't do a darn bit of good. > > ar I look at it this way, I don't tell my friends, family, coworkers, etc, about any of my other diseases. I don't sit around talking about it with people who don't know me. So, I lump herpes into that category as well. The only people who need to know are the people who might be effected by it. Just like my other ailments. I do understand what you're saying, and who you tell is up to you. ar >Well I suppose you have a point and I did make it known to my family and >friends (closest ones), but I am really too shy to talk about it more than [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >wanted to come out and give speeches at schools to try to counsel teenagers >about herpes. That's a great idea, but I'm just not that personality. >do you think it would be risky to get a license plate holder that >has 437737 on the back of it? I know a pretty young lady in Detroit that drives around with rather obvious magnetic door signs on her car to advertise the name and telephone number of a local Herpes Help group. She sometimes takes the signs off when she's carrying passengers but other than that, they're on there 24/7. I think you'll be safe with the license tag thingy ;-) M2 |
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