I Got Over It

by Aggie
(PA)

I just turned 18 in April and I'm in my second year of college. I've been dating my boyfriend since I met him in April. One morning last month, I noticed it hurt to pee. I brushed it off until it was unbearable. I would scream and cry and punch the walls while I went to the bathroom because it was so painful. I went to the ER and they diagnosed me with Vaginitis.

I got no relief from the medicine so I went back the next day. The doctor looked at me for three seconds and told me I had Genital Herpes and walked out with no sympathy, information, or explanations. My poor mother looked as upset as I did, I thought it was a dream. I was in denial so I got a culture test later that day at the hospital by school. My boyfriend went with me and looked horrified to see me scream and jump out of the hospital bed just to be touched with a Q-tip.

With my luck, they called the next day saying they mistakenly used the wrong swab. I didn't want to go back there so I went to a women's hospital. My best friend went with me and held my hand. Notice that throughout this process, I never went by myself. Support is the best thing you can have through this, don't stay quiet. They cultured my specimen and again, gave me the news a couple of days with a positive result and no sympathy and refused to talk to me about it. I was scared and knew nothing about Herpes.

Still in denial, I went home two weeks ago for a blood test and found out last week that it is definitely positive. I'm going to stay on Valtrex for the rest of my life. I'm still unsure of what type it is. My boyfriend and I don't know if he gave it to me or if I've had it or if he has it now but it hasn't changed my relationship. At first, I was so depressed and alone but the more I talked to people I trusted about it, I learned that I'm not the only one who has it. I've had a lot of support.

The only thing that bothers me is the thought of another outbreak. It was very painful (thankfully the women's hospital gave me a numbing cream for going to the bathroom). It's only been a month and I already make jokes to my friends about it to keep myself in high spirits. My boyfriend still loves me. Even if this relationship doesn't work out, I've come to terms with it and wouldn't be afraid of being rejected because of it.

As long as you understand it, others will, too. Don't be afraid to tell the people you trust. You won't be judged for something that one in four people have. It's a blessing in disguise. Now I'll know if someone loves me for me or my body. I'm over it. It's nothing I can't handle.

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