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The stigma of HSV2
Every time I come on this site, and read some of the answers from other members, I get a little peeved at some of the things I see. I understand the social stigma that surrounds having HSV2. People think you're dirty, nasty, very promiscuous. But it's not like that! If you look at statistics, about 1 in 4 women and 1 in 5 men have this!! Walk into a crowded theater, and there will be someone else there who knows exactly what you're going through. Yes, it ***** to have outbreaks every now and then, and yes it ***** to have to tell a partner. Yet, it's not that bad. I'm 22 now, and was diagnosed 2 years ago. In 20 years, I'll have lived with this half my life, and completely forgotten what it's like NOT to have it. I have told HSV2 negative men about what I have. And they accepted it just fine. That's my point of view. I understand what it's like to feel so totally alone when you first hear your results, but it is NOT the end of the world, and life will still go on.
Look at this video. It deals with how to tell someone and is very insightful. Really good folks. Hope this helps: http://www.westoverheights.com/images/media2.wmv
Whether we like it or not having HSV particularly Genital Herpes is a shock initially and the anxiety and fear for the future is brought about purely because of the stigma and the fact tht most people are not willing to talk about it for fear they will be rejected and made to feel dirty,in all things in life a problem shared is problem halved but for most it is very very difficult to talk bout this openly to people who don't have it,even to a close friend which is why we encourage anyone with such fears to come on here and talk to us about them so that we can help them through those difficult early days,and often we can take away a lot of the anxiety and hurt they feel which much of is borne from not knowing anything or very little about the condition,of course it's not the end of the world but for many it feels that way because people who don't have it themselves do not fully understand the impact an HSV2 diagnosis has in the beginning it takes time to accept and feel Ok with,and that does not happen overnight for the vast majority.
It is the way it makes you feel emotionally rather than the condition itself that causes the upset,in some ways most feel that their freedom and privacy has been stolen and a lot also find it difficult to understand why they got it from one single episode of unprotected sex when perhaps their friends have done a whole lot more of that and have never contracted it there is an element of "why me" involved in it also.
I am glad to hear that you re coping well it will be an inspiration to other young newly diagnosed people here to have you help them through the initial fear and dispair they may be feeling and how well you are coping by not allowing this skin condition to affect your life and happiness simply because of it's location,but we must at all times remember how we felt ourselves when first diagnosed and help others through wht can be very dark and lonely time for them.
Daisy
It is the way it makes you feel emotionally rather than the condition itself that causes the upset,in some ways most feel that their freedom and privacy has been stolen and a lot also find it difficult to understand why they got it from one single episode of unprotected sex when perhaps their friends have done a whole lot more of that and have never contracted it there is an element of "why me" involved in it also.
I am glad to hear that you re coping well it will be an inspiration to other young newly diagnosed people here to have you help them through the initial fear and dispair they may be feeling and how well you are coping by not allowing this skin condition to affect your life and happiness simply because of it's location,but we must at all times remember how we felt ourselves when first diagnosed and help others through wht can be very dark and lonely time for them.
Daisy
I never said that it's a bad idea to come on the board and deal w/ those feelings, and get compassion and some info. That's a great idea. But it's still not the end of the world.
While it isn't the end of the world, and life will go on, it's still a shock for people when they get this diagnosis. Part of the reason for that is because of the social stigma surrounding herpes. Before I was diagnosed, I didn't know a lot about herpes and yes, it got to me. I "got over it" but it did take awhile.
When someone first gets diagnosed, there is nothing wrong when they come on the board and express those feelings that we all had when we got our diagnosis.
A little compassion along with factual information can go a long way in helping someone deal with the news that they have herpes.
When someone first gets diagnosed, there is nothing wrong when they come on the board and express those feelings that we all had when we got our diagnosis.
A little compassion along with factual information can go a long way in helping someone deal with the news that they have herpes.
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
