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Just Diagnosed

It’s tough, lonely, and it feels like your whole world has crashed down on you from one moment to the next. Feeling ashamed is normal when it comes to coping with this. When you’ve spent almost your whole life being told that STDs are THE WORST THING EVER (tm) and that only “whores”, “sluts”, and low-class people get them, it’s tough not to internalize it. And then when you get your own diagnosis, it can feel like you’re suddenly one of those undesirables that no one wants to be with because again, STDs are THE WORST THING EVER (tm). 

The good thing is that none of this is true. Herpes, like every other STD, is just something that is passed through sex and it’s just doing what it’s…

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Featured

 Genital herpes is a 'forgotten' virus. But that doesn't mean it's gone away.

Genital herpes infections are very common. There are 42 million new infections each year — that averages out to one new person infected each second. While treatments can help with symptoms, there's no cure. So once someone gets infected, they've got the virus for life. In the 15-to-49-year-old age range, 1 in 5 people are living with a genital herpes infection — that's about 846 million people.

 Genital herpes is on the rise. Here’s what to know about this common infection

Genital herpes causes a substantial disease burden and economic cost to health-care services. With such a large proportion of the world’s population infected with HSV-1, evidence this virus is increasingly causing genital herpes is concerning. There’s no cure for genital herpes, but some medications, such as antivirals, can help reduce the amount of virus present in the system. While this won’t kill it completely, it helps to prevent symptomatic genital herpes recurrences, improve quality of life, and minimise the risk of transmission.

Articles of Interest

Everything You Need to Know About Herpes and Sex

Herpes infects more people worldwide than any other sexually transmitted infection—and it spreads through a simple equation: One partner has the virus. Another partner doesn't. Any sexual contact between the two can infect the uninfected.

The Oral and Genital Herpes Viruses Are Having 'Sex.' The Result Is Worrisome.

There's a lot more "sex" going on between the oral and genital herpes viruses than scientists previously thought, according to a new study. The study... found that the two herpes simplex viruses — known as HSV-1 and HSV-2 — mix their genetic material together, or "recombine," more often than thought. (HSV-1 classically causes oral infections and HSV-2 causes genital infections.)

A Common Secret: Struggling With The Stigma Of Herpes

Meeting girls at the bar didn't come as easily for Adrial Dale as it did for his friends. Standing on the sidelines, Dale watched his pals saunter up to women, cool and confident, perfect for the pickup scene. But Dale could never bring himself to do it. He was terrified about having to reveal a secret, one that had brought him shame for years. In 2005, Dale was diagnosed with herpes simplex type 2, a virus that causes genital herpes. He first noticed a lesion on his genitals when he was taking a shower. In that moment, he said, the world went blank.

Difference Between Genital Herpes & Genital Warts

Although they both affect the genitals and are transmitted through sexual contact, genital herpes and genital warts are two very different sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Here’s Why Doctors Don’t Usually Test for Herpes

It’s basically a SELF mantra at this point: Getting tested for sexually transmitted infections is hella important. Is it the most delightful way to spend your time? No. Is it a vital part of looking after your health, sexual and otherwise? Absolutely. When you go in for routine STI testing, you might realize that your doctor doesn’t test you for herpes. What’s that about? As it turns out, testing for herpes isn’t as straightforward as testing for something like chlamydia or gonorrhea.

Herpes 'Isolates People,' But A Vaccine May Be On The Way

"We should have a vaccine for the disease, given its prevalence," he said. Globally, a staggering 500 million people carry the virus, though only about 40 million have chronic symptoms. "For people who have [herpes], it can devastate their lives: It cuts into people's ability to have sexual relationships... It isolates people."

How to Date With Herpes, According to Doctors and Someone Who Has It

Your sex life isn't over. Seriously.

Living with Herpes: Diagnosis, Management, and Dating Advice

It's not the end of the world!

Teens Now More Likely To Get Genital Herpes Because They Didn't Get Cold Sores As Kids

Kids these days! Strangely enough, they are less likely to have been exposed to herpes simplex virus type 1 in early childhood, according to a new study. That means they don't get cold sores as elementary schoolers, but it also means when they become sexually active, they don't have immunity to help protect them against the virus in… other regions of their bodies.

The strongest herpes support group is on Tumblr

You feel a burning and tingling sensation and notice uncomfortable bumps on your skin. Where do you turn? Friends might gossip. Lovers might freak. WebMD might leap to cancer. Yahoo! Answers is written by 12 year olds. Googling around will just give the NSA something to laugh at. If you think you have herpes, your best bet (before a doctor or STD clinic) might just be Tumblr.

What It Feels Like to Give Your Partner Herpes

Many people will tell you it's the stigma, not the disease itself, that's most painful. In becoming knowingly herpes-positive, not only does one have to come to terms with being a person that society has erroneously categorized as "bad," but one also has to contend with one's ability to pass it on. It's a burden most people would rather live without.

Resources

10 Myths About Herpes That Are Totally False

False rumors about herpes can be as contagious as, well, a virus. While most people know that it's a common sexually transmitted infection, many don’t understand what the herpes virus is, how people get it, and how they can protect themselves.

3 herpes myths to stop freaking out about

A surprising number of people you know probably have herpes. Shocked? You shouldn’t be, since the virus is very common. According to the World Health Organization, 3.8 billion people under age 50 have herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) — that’s 64 percent of the global population in that age bracket. Another 519 million people (13 percent) between ages 15 and 49 worldwide have herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Many people consider HSV-1 more benign, but it turns out there’s not much difference between the two types of virus. While it’s true that HSV-2 is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and can cause genital sores or blisters, type 1 can do the same thing.

5 Myths about Herpes, Busted

This virus may be super-common, but there's still a lot most folks don't know about it.

6 Things You Need to Know About Herpes Tests, According to Doctors Who Administer Them

Without a herpes outbreak present (such as a cold sore), it's extremely difficult to know whether or not you're HSV-positive, and herpes testing is so flawed and misunderstood that doctors say it leads to unnecessary stress.

Top Tips for Pregnant Women with Herpes Simplex Virus

Midwife & leading women’s health expert, Elizabeth Stein CNM, MSN, MPH of Ask Your Midwife (http://www.AskYourMidwife.com), sheds light on this infection and explains what pregnant women with herpes can do to ensure a safe and healthy pregnancy and birth.

Earth, Wind and Herpes

Hi! I'm a 25 year old city girl who was diagnosed with HSV2 (aka genital herpes) four years ago but who refuses to give up on the idea of love (and really good sex) despite it. I'm on a journey of self-acceptance, self-love and self-discovery.

Happy with Herpes

There are lots of things on this blog to help you find happiness, health, and love with Herpes. Loads of success stories from other people, plus some personal stuff about me and what I'm doing. Happy reading!

Herpes Opportunity

Welcome to the Herpes Opportunity Support Forum, a supportive and positive group of people to help you discover and live your Opportunity. Together, we can shed the shame and embrace vulnerability and true connection. Because who you are is more important than what you have ...

Herpes Viruses Association

Genital herpes? It's not what you think. It is misunderstood. But having it is normal. We help people to get the facts straight.

Pink Tent

Pink Tent™ is a virtual community for YOU! A gathering of mothers, friends, and sisters dedicated to supporting women living with herpes and helping them to live, love and thrive.

GenitalHerpesTreatment.co

It will just take 5 minutes to read this research report. By the end of 5 minutes you will know how to eliminate outbreaks caused by Herpes Simplex Virus using effective treatments that provide results fast.

CDC

Genital herpes is a common STD, and most people with genital herpes infection do not know they have it.

Getting Genital Herpes from Oral Herpes & Vice Versa

HSV-2 is usually the strain of herpes responsible for causing genital herpes, but genital cases caused by HSV-1 are becoming more common as oral sex is becoming less taboo. Approximately one-fifth of the U.S. population older than the age of 13 has genital herpes. Genital herpes is most commonly spread during vaginal or anal sex, however, an individual with genital herpes can spread it to their partner’s mouth, causing them to contract oral herpes.

Patient

Genital herpes is usually a sexually transmitted infection. Many people infected with this virus never have symptoms, but can still pass on the infection to others. If symptoms occur, they can range from a mild soreness to painful blisters on the genitals and surrounding area.

TeenSource.org

Herpes is an infection caused by a virus, either Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) or Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2.) Although most Genital Herpes infections are caused by HSV-2 and most Oral Herpes infections are caused by HSV-1, we now know that either virus, Type 1 or Type 2 can cause blisters or sores known as Genital Herpes.

The Overblown Stigma of Genital Herpes

For many people living with this common disease, the most debilitating symptoms are shame and isolation.

UpToDate

Being diagnosed with genital herpes can be an emotional and distressing experience, and it is important to speak with your healthcare provider about how to manage symptoms and avoid passing the virus to sexual partners. Counseling and support groups can also be beneficial to individuals living with genital herpes infection.