Living in the Moment

by Claudia
(Cape Town)

Hi Gary,

I contracted the herpes virus from my very first sexual partner at the age of 19 (1999). I was devastated and horrified, as the outbreak was extremely bad and I was extremely ignorant at that age, not knowing what I had.

My visit to the doctor was very embarrassing, but she was Fantastic and helped me through my situation. I was on medication for about two years, as my outbreaks were frequent.

At the end of the second year, I was relieved when the outbreaks had stopped and I could relax (in my head) about it. I changed my diet and became almost completely vegetarian and I took up yoga to sort myself out.

Relationships were scary to me, as I would always have to tell my potential partner about the herpes. I have been truelly blessed that I have not had one partner reject me because of it and I can happily say that I have led a perfectly normal life, dispite the herpes.

It is now 2011 and I haven't had any symptoms or outbreaks since 2001, after I finished my two year course of medication.

I feel very lucky, as I do understand that there are many people out there that have frequent outbreaks throughout their entire lives.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my story with you.

Take care
Claudia