sweet66

I was just watching the Ella Dawson interview video. I actually found her long before I found this website. She has since retired from herpes blogging (if i understand correctly) and now concentrates on sexual health. She received so much abuse and hate over the internet for essentially becoming a face of herpes. I'm wondering if Arial has experienced anything similar. I'm wondering if simply being a woman makes one more of a target once she has disclosed. As someone who has kept very private about my diagnosis, I would love to hear about anyone's experience publicly disclosing? Arial, how has your "face of herpes" experience been as compared to Ella? Thanks.

i've had HSV1 genitally (and probably orally) for 11 years. it's not easy for me. here's why. i've had a struggling bone marrow for many years so my immune system is not as ready to work as most other people's. i'm at the point now where they are looking for a match in case i need a stem cell transplant. what that means is that i am prone to outbreaks even with daily suppressive meds. all in all this seems to mean i have to avoid getting HSV2 since it is another virus altogether, and the whole thing just complicates dating life. I am a 51 yo female. i feel like my life was robbed out from under me and i rarely put myself out there. i'm thriving in my life otherwise, but romantically it feels like a disaster. encouragement and a fresh perspective would be great. US north east coast.