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Should You Date Somebody with Herpes – Because You Have Herpes?

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Let's Talk About the Question That Keeps Too Many People Single

I see it all the time in our community and from people that reach out, or write comments on social media. "I've been diagnosed with herpes and now I feel like I should only date people who already have it. It would be easier, right? No awkward conversations. No fear of rejection."

And every time I read that, something in my heart sinks. And I'll be honest - it makes me a bit mad. Because what society has done to this virus is inco…

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Oral Herpes: What Should I NOT Do If I Have It?

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First: You're in Really, Really Good Company

Before we get into the "don'ts," let's get one thing straight: oral herpes is incredibly common.

According to the World Health Organization, two out of three people under age 50 carry HSV-1—the virus that causes cold sores. That's 3.7 billion people worldwide. In some regions, the number is even higher.

What does that mean for you? It means you're normal. It means the majority of people you meet probably have it too—they just don't talk about it. I…

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Can You Be a Nurse With Herpes?

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Spoiler alert: having herpes doesn’t disqualify you from a nursing career. But let’s talk about what actually matters — patient safety, standard precautions, and your peace of mind.

We've seen this question enough times to decided it needs to be put in a blog, and to explain what it means to be a nurse with herpes.
On the other hand, we've seen people being afraid whether they can be cared by somebody with herpes - being a nurse, or a family member.

 

Let me give you the short answer first:…

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Why Is There Never a 0 Result on a Herpes Test?

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A number on your herpes test. But it's not 0.00. It's 0.4. Or 0.7. Or maybe 0.2.

And your brain immediately goes: Wait. I thought I was negative. Why isn't it zero? Does this mean I have some herpes in me? Is this a false negative?

Let's get the basics of testing.

How Herpes Blood Tests Actually Work

First, it helps to understand what the test is actually measuring. A herpes blood test doesn't look for the virus itself. It looks for antibodies—proteins your immune system produces when it's …

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Life After Herpes…and Dreams Coming True

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I married the love of my life in May 2026. I found out I was pregnant in June 2026. And as a closure of my single season, shortly after that, I released my first song, Love story, all about the journey of wrestling through my single season.

If I could have told my “2017-newly-diagnosed-herpes-self” how I’m living now, I don’t think she would have believed me.

My life was never over after I had a herpes diagnosis. Instead, it was the precursor to the most amazing season I’ve ever lived. (And it’s …

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Why Doctors Won't Even Test You for Herpes, Unless You're Showing Symptoms

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Imagine. You go in for your annual exam, you ask for the "full panel" of STI tests, and you leave feeling responsible and relieved. Then you get your results back and may notice something missing. Herpes. They didn't test you for it.

Or, more commonly: you notice all negatives and you're happy with that. I'm clear, you say. Right?
Right?

Whether you notice or not, whether you call your doctor and ask why, or you simply think they have a good reason for it, it does feel a bit weird, doesn't it…

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What If You Didn't Have Herpes? How Much Would Life Really Change?

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Let's do a little thought experiment.

Imagine you wake up tomorrow and somehow, magically, the herpes virus is gone. Poof. Vanished. You test negative on every blood test. No more outbreaks. No more shedding. No more disclosure conversations. No more stigma.
How different would your life actually be?

If you're like most people, your brain immediately jumps to all the ways it would be so much better. Dating would be easier. Sex would be less stressful. You wouldn't have to have that awkward co…

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So You Tested Positive for Herpes But Never Had Symptoms

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Let me paint you a picture. You went in for a routine checkup. Maybe you asked for a "full panel" of STI tests because you're responsible like that. Or maybe a new partner asked you to get tested before things got physical. You weren't worried. You felt fine. No weird bumps, no itching, no pain.
Then the results come back. Positive. For herpes.

Your first thought is probably something like: But I've never had a single symptom. How is this possible? Did they mix up my results? Am I actually …

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It's Easier for Men Having Herpes... No Wait, It's Easier for Women Having Herpes...

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Or: The grass is always greener on the other side.

I can't tell you how many times I've heard this. Someone in a support group says, "Honestly, it's so much easier for women to disclose. Men don't care as much." And then someone else chimes in, "Are you kidding? It's way easier for men. Women are more understanding and forgiving."
Sound familiar?

We've all done it. We look at someone else's situation and think, If only I had what they have, this would be so much easier. The single person envi…

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Does Herpes Live in Bodily Fluids?

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If you've ever found yourself googling at 2 AM whether you can catch herpes from a shared drink, a toilet seat, or a casual hug—you're not alone. The internet is full of conflicting information, and let's be honest, some of it is straight-up terrifying.

So let's clear things up. Here's the real deal about how herpes spreads, what's actually a risk, and what you can stop worrying about.



Can I get herpes by sharing?

The Short Answer: Yes, But It's Complicated

Herpes simplex virus can be p…

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