Herpes 101

A herpes diagnosis can have a significant emotional impact, leading to feelings of anxiety, depression, and shame. The stigma associated with herpes can exacerbate these emotions, making it challenging to maintain a positive outlook. However, it's essential to recognize that you are not alone, and there are strategies and resources available to help you cope with the emotional impact of herpes. In this post, we'll explore how herpes affect…

Finding Connection and Understanding in a Supportive Community

Living with herpes can be isolating and challenging, but you don’t have to face it alone. Building a strong support system is crucial for managing your condition and maintaining your mental health. Joining a herpes support group can provide you with the connection, understanding, and resources you need to navigate your journey confidently. In this post, we'll explore the benefits of joining a support group and how it can positiv…

Debunking Common Misconceptions About Herpes

Herpes is a common condition, but it’s surrounded by numerous myths and misconceptions. These false beliefs can create unnecessary fear, stigma, and misunderstanding. In this post, we’ll debunk some of the most common myths about herpes and provide accurate, fact-based information to help you understand the condition better.

One prevalent myth is that only promiscuous people get herpes. This is simply not true. Herpes can affect anyone, regard…

Navigating the Initial Shock and Finding Support

Being diagnosed with herpes can be overwhelming and scary. You might feel a mix of emotions—fear, confusion, and even isolation. But remember, you are not alone, and there are resources available to help you navigate this new chapter in your life. In this post, we'll guide you through the first steps after your diagnosis and provide valuable resources to support your journey.

The first thing to do after receiving a herpes diagnosis is to t…

Everything feels so out of reach when you are first diagnosed. Everything comes crumbling down and you feel like you're never going to be able to come up for air. It's suffocating and terrifying at the same time. Would love to tell you after I was diagnosed I picked up and was able to straighten my life out right away. That wasn't the case and I did not have a rebound in one day or even the week later.

Back when I was diagnosed I was really struggling. So now it's the 4th of July. I had pla…

In case you missed it, we're in the middle of the Oh Shit Anniversary. It was 11 years ago I was diagnosed with herpes. This is the exact day 13 years ago....

Now it's Tuesday and I know something is wrong. This is the same day as it was eleven years ago. By now the blisters had fully shown up and I was in unbelievable pain. I felt so sick and could not imagine what was going on. Today was supposed to be just a regular physical but instead it turned into the day to go to the doctors and get…

This week we're going to do something different.

13 years ago I was diagnosed with genital herpes.

This week is the same week as in 2011. I've shared things here and there but I've never walked you through exactly what I did and how I felt. Share what I can remember and the good, the bad and the ugly. My intention for this week is to bring awareness to herpes: your life moves on and you forget how big of a deal it is. Talk you through the exact week 13 years ago, build awareness and hand…

Introduction

The decision to undergo herpes testing can evoke a mix of emotions, including anxiety, uncertainty, and anticipation. For many individuals, the waiting period post-exposure can feel like an eternity, filled with questions and doubts about their health and future. In this guide, we'll explore the nervousness surrounding herpes testing, particularly the waiting period, and offer strategies for navigating this challenging time with the IGG blood test.

Understanding the Emotio…

As we observe National Mental Health Awareness Week, it's crucial to spotlight not just general mental health challenges but also those conditions often cloaked in stigma and misunderstanding, like Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). A diagnosis of HSV can be a profound emotional upheaval, leading to a myriad of psychological challenges that can affect overall well-being.

Rece…