Blog
Embracing Self-Worth and Acceptance: Transforming Life with Herpes through Support and Self-Discovery
This week on our support group call, we had some great conversations about acceptance, self-worth, and dating. Of course, it started off with talking about herpes and some herpes-related questions, but as we dove deeper into the conversation, I wanted to outline how getting herpes was an opportunity given to us to learn our self-worth.
Understanding Self-Worth Through the Pennies Analogy
Let's use the example of pennies. It takes 100 pennies to make one dollar. Our goal is to get to the do…
Does Herpes Have a Smell?
Understanding Symptoms and Hygiene Practices
One common question about herpes is whether it has a distinct smell. Understanding the symptoms of herpes and maintaining proper hygiene can help you manage your condition more effectively. In this post, we’ll explore whether herpes has a smell and provide tips on hygiene practices to keep you comfortable and confident.
Herpes itself does not have a specific smell. The herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes outbreaks of sores and blisters, which ca…
Navigating Herpes Outbreaks – Insights from Our Support Group
This Week's Highlights on Herpes Management and Support
Welcome, everyone! This week, our support group was thrilled to welcome several new faces. Seeing the community grow is always heartening—it means our message is reaching further and that more individuals are ready to find support and understanding about living with herpes. If you're new here or have been with us for a while, remember, being diagnosed with herpes is not the end of the road. It doesn't confine you to loneliness nor does…
Navigating Resentment and a Herpes Diagnosis: Understanding and Overcoming Emotional Challenges
Navigating Resentment: My 13-Year Journey with Herpes and Emotional Healing
This week on our support group call, I opened up about my herpes diagnosis. This week marks my 13-year anniversary of being diagnosed with herpes. I'm not going to say time flew by, and I'm not going to say time heals. In fact, time does not heal the situation; it just allows you to pick up more situations in your life that need more immediate attention. Think of it as a compounding effect. What heals the situation …
Navigating Disclosure: How to Tell Your Partner About Your Herpes Status Despite Their STI Jokes
Empowering Yourself to Have the Conversation You Deserve
This week on our support group calls, we had some new members. Welcome!!! As you know, I love our Monday support group calls, and I get so excited when we have new members. To me, this means that someone is ready to heal their deep wounds, begin learning how to handle their diagnosis, and start changing their life. When we're diagnosed, we feel like we've been given this huge curse and that it's something we will never get over. It's …
How Soon After Suspected Exposure Should You Test for Herpes?
A Guide to Timing Your Herpes Test for Accurate Results
If you suspect you've been exposed to herpes, one of the first questions that might come to mind is, "When should I get tested?" The timing of your test is crucial for obtaining accurate results, and it depends on the type of test you choose. In this post, we'll break down the different types of herpes tests, including swab tests and blood tests, and explain the best timing for each.
Understanding Herpes Testing
Herpes testing can be…
Why You Might Be Getting Back-to-Back Herpes Outbreaks
Identifying and Managing Factors That Cause Frequent Outbreaks
Experiencing frequent herpes outbreaks can be frustrating and concerning. Understanding why you might be getting back-to-back outbreaks is crucial for managing your condition effectively. In this post, we'll explore common factors that can trigger frequent herpes outbreaks and provide strategies for reducing their frequency.
Stress
One of the most common reasons for frequent herpes outbreaks is stress. Stress can weaken your i…
Understanding Herpes Symptoms: Common, Misunderstood, and Equivocal Answers
Taking the First Steps: Understanding Herpes Symptoms and Testing
This week we welcomed some new faces to the group, and I absolutely loved supporting each of you. I know that it can be scary and maybe even paralyzing to join a support group for herpes, but by joining, you're beginning to heal your emotional wounds from your herpes diagnosis. This week, many people talked about what it's like to get diagnosed and the dark thoughts that go along wi…
Getting Herpes from a Virgin Partner: Understanding Transmission Risks
How Herpes Can Be Contracted Even from a Partner with No Previous Sexual Experience
Herpes is a highly contagious virus that can be contracted in various ways, often leading to confusion and misconceptions about its transmission. One common question is whether it’s possible to get herpes from a virgin partner. The answer may surprise you, as herpes can indeed be transmitted even if your partner has no prior sexual experience. In this post, we’ll explore how this can happen and what steps yo…
Understanding Rejection and Disclosure in Herpes Conversations
Embracing Rejection: Building Confidence and Navigating Relationships with Herpes
I know I say it weekly, but our Monday support groups are amazing! It was so special to hear people in the group talk about how they found the community within weeks of being diagnosed and how joining our support groups has helped tremendously with their mental capacity to go through the herpes journey. We have people in the community who've had herpes for 30+ years who are able to share their advice and sup…