There's absolutely no way...
- I have a huge outbreak. I'm only fourteen. I've never had sex, and I've never even made out with anyone. The last time I kissed someone was a peck, and it was a month before my outbreak. I'm experiencing about 80% of the symptoms, and this "rash" can't be anything other than Herpes. I'm pretty, smart, athletic, artistic, and I'm a good singer, and I feel like I've always done everything right. But I've been punished with Herpes. Now, thinking that my friends and family may loo at me differently makes me feel disgusting; what if I become a friendless loser? What if everyone stays away from me? And now I know I can't have sex without telling my partner in the future, which will most probably end everything. I just can't believe that I may be having Herpes. Right now, I'm waiting for the doctor to arrive, and I'm just hoping that I'm wrong, but something tells me I really do have genital herpes.
- —Guest I Did NOTHING Wrong
Read this to help you through it
- This graphic novel, Monsters, by Ken Dahl, is a fantastic story about a guy that contracts HSV2 and all the emotional baggage that comes with this diagnosis. It's easy to believe that "you're nothing but the disease," which is exactly what this character struggles with. If you're having a hard time with HSV2 and living with the consequences (I know I am), check out this graphic novel. It really helped ease my burden to know someone out there *really gets it.*
- —Guest MplsGuy
changed my life for the BETTER .
- 19 year old college student, attractive and outgoing. Diagnosed with hsv2 almost ago. The physical had nothing on the emotional pain. I cried for days, i could barely keep it together in class or work. I looked to friends and family for support. A week later my bestfriend was also diagnosed with hsv2, another friend of mine had been diagnosed weeks before me, and my mother told me she's been living with it for over 20 years. Slowly my attitude changed and began to feel normal again. If my mother can have two healthy children, a husband who is hsv1and2 NEGATIVE, and live happy why can't I? Its more common than I even knew and I take valtrex daily to avoid the future outbreaks as much as possible. Herpes has made me realize that my emotional pain was not just the diagnoses but because there was a void in my life. My faith was lost and I have found it since my diagnosis. Herpes has helped me return to a path a faith that I put on hold for sex. So I'm not sad or depressed. I'm living ! !
- —Guest walkbyfaith
just found out
- i had a red bump on my inner labia i thought was a cut. i looked up herpes on the internet and thought the picture looked similar, but it was only 1 bump so i was confused. i went to the ER and they gave me acyclovir, but said not to take it until i saw more bumps. well, i didnt see more bumps but i did have a cut in between my labia, i figured i accidentally pulled them apart too rough. after a week of groin pain, sharp leg pains ,swelling ,painful urination, redness and itching, 3 blisters appeared. i had to face facts. im nervous about the medicines side effects. i dont want to have sex, im really afraid of passing it to someone, or causing an outbreak.ive been crying on and off for 2 weeks. im finally accepting that this has happened to me at 33 years old. i am alone with my son and he saw how sick i was, of course i can tell him. i feel so guilty. im getting tested tomorrow to confirm it. please protect yourself! i wish i did
- —Guest nikki77
holey shit
- i was just diagnosed with herpes 2. i am scared, humiliated and feel dirty. i am a good looking, divorced female with no children. i have dated more men than i can count and i feel so stupid for making such a big mistake. with who i have no idea. atleast it's not aids, right? Any advice on where i go from here? i'm on suppression meds but they make me so sick to my stomach.
- —Guest wendy
herpes hell
- So basically I thought that I had thrush and did my own research as to what these sores where and it got to the point that I couldn't walk or sit or sleep! It was horrific! So I decided to go and get checked out! I prepared myself for the worst and got told yes I do have herpes! Now trying to realise and understand that I have this now for life is hard! How do you ever tell someone oh yeah I have herpes! I can't even tely frienfs or family as I am so ashamed! And the thought of telling the guy who I've caught it from and him telling everyone embarasses me the most! Help what do I do?
- —Guest guest1256
my life changed in an instant
- I am a 41 year old woman. Had not dated in years but met someone and with one stupid decision my life has changed drastically. I just found out 6 weeks ago about my diagnosis. I have been miserable pretty much most of that time. This is the most physically and emotionally devastating thing to happen to me ever! I feel like my life is over and I don't know how or if I will ever be able to move forward. In the short time I have known I have had 2 outbreaks and the second one has been worse than the first. Even with medication the symptoms and pain continue to linger and I don't know if I will ever be "normal" again. I want to get past this and be on a maintenance dose and try to live my life, but at this point I am starting to wonder if it will ever happen for me. Also I don't think that I can handle "several" outbreaks in a year like the literature says can happen. I am not mad at the person who passed it on because he had no idea-but just feel like I have no one to turn to.
- —Guest alone and sad
There is hope!!!
- There is hope in living with herpes. I have had herpes for about 18 yrs. now. With Facebook and other social media sites you will get a chance to meet people from all walks of life living with herpes. On FB alone there are over 20 secret groups.
- —Guest virgostarr35
confused as well
- im 18 and was diagnosed with herpes about 5 months ago after waiting on my boyfriend to get out of prison. I was a virgin up untill then and my mother had recently passed away. I have never been so scared and worried about my body in my life, and somedays i dont know what to do. i have panic attacks just thinking about rejection from someone once i tell them. and i just really am depressed because of this. i want everything to be better but honestly everything is hitting me at once. reality is setting in that this is my life, without my mother, with this burden, and with the million other things that are on my plate i have no idea how im still walking half the time. i would give anything to change the past, but i cant. how do i get over this, and how do i not allow it to control my life?! :(
- —Guest life
There is hope - part 2
- So this new guy that I met who I really could see I could share a future with. After about one month of dating it was time to tell him. Anyway - to my surprise and disappointment (but now I'm wondering if it is for the best) he told me that he couldn't handle it and that he was 'clean' and that he only would be with people who were 'clean'. Jeez - way to make me feel bad. When I told my past boyfriend the story he actually got up and hugged me. Nothing from this new person. So - I think it is for the best (at least I'm trying to tell myself that). People in a long term relationship need to accept you for who you are and the relationship has to be based on so much more than just SEX!! So I go back and live my happy life and hopefully will meet someone. I have hope. And I know it is possible to meet someone that hasn't been infected who will accept you for who you are, will accept the small risk (and protect themselves). Have hope and faith.
- —Guest Guest
There is hope
- Wanted to share my story. I am a 49 year old single mom who is smart, educated, and successful. 5 years ago I made a mistake with a guy I met and had unprotected sex without asking any questions (I was naive and was only worried about getting pregnant). I contracted Type 2. I was devasted. Just like everyone says - the initial break out is the worst. And perhaps for the next 2 years I would have the occassional breakout. But since then (and I take Valtrex every day) I have basically had NO symptoms. I am recently out of a 3 year relationship with a man that I eventually had unprotected sex with. I did not pass anything on to him. But here is where the story gets frustrating. I just met someone new. Things just clicked and it was amazing how much chemistry and how much we had in common. I don't meet that many guys that I'm interested in so this was pretty amazing for me. Just last week however I decided to have 'the talk' with him. See next story
- —Guest Guest
Herpes and lonely
- I'm 17 my birthday is in a week and today I was diagnosed with herpes. I feel aweful. And I don't have anyone to talk to. I'm just a kid! I had sex once and I was protected. That was three years ago!!!! I was tested a year after when I told my mom and it came back negative. Now it's been three years since I've had a boyfriend and a year since I had been tested for all stds and I found a sore. Now my doctor says she thinks it's herpes and I don't know what is to come of the rest of my life a's far a's speeding it dating and kids or finding someone to love me. And Im so confused on how a year after having sex a blood test didn't show I was positive for herpes and now three years later i am? If anyone has anything encouraging for me it would be helpful.... I can't stop crying.
- —Guest Lost and confused
Herpes lives in your skin, not fluid
- Most of the posts here mention a suspicion of contraction from unprotected sex. This could be true, but could also be an oversimplified truth. A condom helps to protect you form bodily fluids -- from blood, semen, and vaginal fluid. So condoms help against diseases spread by fluids, such as HIV. Herpes is NOT a virus that lives in your body fluids. It lives in your SKIN. Many people contract oral herpes as children, from sharing drinks or chapstick or kissing their parents or whatever. Oral herpes can be transmitted to your genitals -- and technically other areas as well, but most often your genitals. Some of you may have contracted herpes from a partner through genital contact, yes. Others of you may have contracted it through oral. I did. Knowledge is Power. The more you know about your condition, the less scary it is to own it, to talk about it, to share the knowledge. For instance, you can spread herpes even if you do not have an outbreak. Herpes is spread skin-to-skin.
- —Guest Knowledge-Is-Power
Having a break out now....
- I am 40 years old and found out 8 months ago I have type 2. The pain is horrible and the emotional pain is even harder. I'm very lonely and have no desire to date because I don't want to have to disclose this to a new partner. My fear is that I will really like this person and I don't want him to think I'm a dirty woman. It was hard enough looking my doctor in the eyes. I'm so embarrassed and have become OCD when using the restroom, showering, drying off with a towel, because I don't want to pass off to my loved ones. I use Lysol on everything! It's making me crazy. Im afraid that my poor decision to have unprotected sex has left me with bad consequences that I feel that I deserve. I feel depressed, and it's controlling me. My self esteem is at an all time low. I am extremely happy for those of you that can move passed the emotional barriers. As for me, the baggage is becoming heavier each passing day. Take care everyone.
- —Guest Sad and Lonely
i dont know what to do now
- about 7 months ago i got my self involved in this relationship with this man i intend on being with for a very long time but shortly before meeting him i found out i had herpes i was wrong for not telling him we've had conversations based on stds and he thought it was disgusting just thinkin of the fact of having herpes now i feel like its time for me to take a step back and let go cuz if i reveal this information about myself i just dont think he'll take it lightly im confused and sadden by this and i know alot of these emotions is my fault cuz i shouldve been upfront with everything i was just afraid of being rejected and still am :-(
- —Guest me
