OptimisticGal

@carlos that was beautifully written and hit home. I felt, and still feel, like I'm undatable. I feel like I'm "in the closet" hiding a secret that people will never understand (I read that in another post and thought they hit it right on the head). In reality that is not the case. There is nothing we should be ashamed of. What is really positive is finding out that there are people like us out there. A lot of them from all walks of life!! EVERYWHERE. HSV could very easily happen to anyone. I had mentioned in another post that the doctor I went to this week also has herpes. I felt relieved in some way! She told me her story and we were able to share how we felt. I felt a little more human again. Slowly and surely I am becoming more accepting of this. Being single, at 27 when all my friends are getting married, it just makes dating a little more complicated than what it already is. There are positives to this too. I take my time to get to know someone on a deeper level. I'm actually more selective than I ever was, and have stepped away from relying on my looks or first impression. It has made me mature in the best way possible, so there is a silver lining. The only thing I miss is just having that care-free attitude when I just want a casual experience...but its something we have to own up to. It could be worse, right? Take care.

Thank you @judith, @hope42morrow and @WCSDancer2010 -- According to my doc, I am outbreak free going on 1 year now! I take 500 mgs a day, but will try splitting it so it levels out. Thank you all for the advice. I will continue to try to stay healthy and well rested so my immune system is strong, and take all the necessary precautions.

Hi @bmshas and @wcsdancer2010 Thank you both for the reply :) I agree...A. Dont be a drunkard and B. DISCLOSE! Lesson learned. I will talk to him this evening to have "the talk"... It will be shameful on my part, but maybe he'll wake up and realize how easy it is to get something. But I do have some GOOD NEWS: I had a gyno (who also has herpes, which was really cool to talk to someone who has been there and done that) check out my sore and she said it didn't appear to be herpes. She said stay on the meds, and use lube :) phew. Thanks again!

Hi All - I'm new to the forum. I was diagnosed with HSV2 a year ago, and have been on Valtrex daily since then. I have not had an outbreak since my initial, but I think I might have a sore now. I can't tell if its a cut or sore, since it is not in the spot of my breakout the first time. I am going to the doc tomorrow to confirm, but I was also curious how well the drugs have worked for you. Please share:)

Alright I am brand new to the forum and need to vent because I've done something horrible. I am 27 years old and was given the virus a year ago by an at-the-time boyfriend who didn't disclose. He tried to pass along his OB as a yeast infection so we wouldnt be sexually active, but it was too late, he had given it to me. I have had pretty good experiences since then with relationships and disclosing, but this past weekend I had a one night stand with a long time guy friend. We used a condom, in the beginning. I was completely intoxicated, and he took off his condom. I am on daily antivirals and had not had a single outbreak since my initial occurrence/diagnosis. So I thought I would learn from this experience and move on. WELL, I am pretty sure I have a sore, and I was sexually active with him 2 days ago. I have a doc appointment tomorrow to confirm, because the sore is no where near where my original OB was, and I think it MIGHT be a cut from the activity. But if it is herpes, I am ABSOLUTELY TERRIFIED that I have given it him, not to mention completely ashamed of myself. I have no idea what to do. He is friends with my family and I'm afraid he will tell everyone. I should have never put myself in that situation.

Hi! I am brand new to this forum, well really any forum relating to this. I am a 27 y/o female and was diagnosed with HSV2 almost exactly a year ago. I developed the Virus after a boyfriend at the time gave it to me without disclosing he had it. He tried to cover his outbreak as a yeast infection. I have had relationships, with full disclosure, and have not had an official breakout since my initial -- which was AWFUL! My initial was severe and painful. I have A LOT of questions, specifically on shedding and signs of a an outbreak. I would love to chat with another female to compare notes. I am on daily antiviral therapy (Valtrex), but think I might currently have a sore. I need to schedule a doc appt to confirm, but would love to still have someone to chat with to share stories.