Marian Nicholson

Director, Herpes Viruses Association

Marian Nicholson (she/her) is the director of the Herpes Viruses Association. She is on a mission to provide correct information in a user-friendly way and work to reduce the stigma that has been linked to cold sores, when they are on the genitals.

Marian Nicholson MBE runs the Herpes Viruses Association, an independent charity with two staff plus volunteers. Since 1985, it provides the public with patient-friendly, accurate information on many aspects of herpes simplex. These include transmission, pregnancy, emotional resilience, etc. as well medication and self-help advice. She is optimistic that this can help reduce stigma and normalise patients’ lives. The charity has a website, social media, daily helpline, Zoom chats twice a month, and organises ‘telling a new partner’ training days, and more. Marian has run surveys and published articles on patient experiences in four medical journals. She has spoken many medical conferences.

Marian is based in London in the United Kingdom.