Blog
It Is What It Is
Wow, what a week! Our support group had the absolute pleasure of welcoming a surprise guest speaker—one of our members’ moms, who happens to be a retired OBGYN. Her presence brought a fresh perspective to the medical side of living with herpes, and the opportunity to ask her questions was invaluable. But before we dive into all the incredible insights she shared, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the beautiful energy in our community this week.
I was thrilled to see new faces joining our c…
Disclosing Herpes Over Text
Pros, Cons, and Suggestions
Disclosing your herpes status to a partner can be a daunting task, filled with anxiety and uncertainty. Many people consider different ways to approach this conversation, including using text messages. In this blog post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of disclosing herpes over text, provide smart suggestions for doing it effectively, and discuss why an in-person conversation might sometimes be a better option. We’ll also introduce our Tell Your Partner Toolkit, whic…
Do You Need to Take Antivirals if You Have Herpes?
Exploring Your Options for Managing Herpes
Living with herpes can raise many questions about how to manage the condition effectively. One of the most common questions is whether or not to take antiviral medications. The decision to take antivirals depends on several factors, including the severity and frequency of outbreaks, personal preferences, and relationship dynamics.
Severity and Frequency of Outbreaks
When you first contract herpes, your body needs time to adjust to the virus. …
Spreading Herpes to Another Part of Your Body: Is it Possible?
Understanding Autoinoculation and How to Prevent It
Herpes is a common viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It can manifest as oral or genital herpes, or it can appear anywhere else on our bodies. It is not unheard that people get herpes on their fingers (herpetic whitlow), or even in the eye, which can be dangerous for a person to go blind, especially if not treated properly. A common concern for those living with herpes is the possibility of spreading the infection to ano…
Breaking Down the Scapegoat: How Herpes (or Any Challenge) Can Help You Face Your Truth
Life has a funny way of forcing us to face the truths we’d rather avoid, doesn’t it? Sometimes, those truths come wrapped in challenges we didn’t ask for—like a herpes diagnosis. It’s easy to let that challenge become the scapegoat for everything else that isn’t going right in our lives. Trust me, I get it. We all lean on something to avoid digging deeper. Whether it’s substances like drugs or alcohol, or behaviors like binge eating, compulsive shopping, gambling, gaming, smoking, or eve…
Nerve Pain with Herpes Outbreak: Causes, Treatments, and Remedies
Understanding and Managing Herpes-Related Nerve Pain
Living with herpes can be challenging, especially when outbreaks cause not just skin symptoms but also nerve pain. Herpes-related nerve pain, or neuropathy, can be distressing and significantly affect your quality of life. This blog post will explore the causes of nerve pain associated with herpes, various treatments available, and effective home remedies to help you manage this discomfort.
What Causes Nerve Pain During a Herpes Outbreak…
Embracing Every Part of Your Life: Including Herpes
Wow, friends, it’s the first week of 2025, and it feels so good to be back with you all! Don’t get me wrong, I love the holidays, but I’m definitely ready to know what day it is and maybe cut back on the pumpkin pies and cookies. (Although, if you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen I just baked another batch of chocolate chip cookies—oops!)
As many of you know, I had a baby in early November, and life’s been a bit of a blur. But now that Conrad is two months old, I think we’ve ma…
Protecting Your Family from Herpes
Practical Steps to Keep Your Loved Ones Safe from Cold Sores and Genital Herpes
Herpes is a common virus that can cause both oral and genital infections. Understanding how to protect your family from herpes, particularly during outbreaks, is essential for maintaining their health and well-being. In this post, we’ll discuss strategies for preventing the spread of cold sores (oral herpes) and genital herpes within your household, while also ensuring that affection and normal…
Setting New Year's Resolutions: Living Well with Herpes in 2025
Goals and Strategies for Managing Herpes and Improving Your Health
As the new year approaches, it's the perfect time to set resolutions and goals for improving your health and managing herpes. Living well with herpes involves taking proactive steps to support your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. In this post, we'll explore practical strategies for setting and achieving your health goals in 2025.
One of the first steps in setting New Year's resolutions is to reflect on the past year…
The Role of Antiviral Medications in Managing Herpes
How Antiviral Treatments Can Help Control Outbreaks
Antiviral medications play a crucial role in managing herpes, helping to reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks and lower the risk of transmission. Understanding how these medications work and how to use them effectively can significantly improve your quality of life. In this post, we'll explore the role of antiviral medications in managing herpes and provide tips for their effective use.
Antiviral medications such as acyclovir, valac…