I'm currently on my third outbreak and its getting less and less severe. I feel like this disease has made me realize what is truly important. Loving myself and the people that matter. I gave up the party lifestyle and dangerous ways and now the man I love (my ex before I caught HSV) and I are making a fresh start, herpes and all. The new me has a heart and thinks before I act.

I hope you can all find a silver lining like I have.

I'm 21, recently diagnosed and have been pretty depressed. I found out and was terrified to tell my boyfriend. I got it from the guy I was talking to before I met him. To my surprise he has been accepting and still says he's going no where. He tells me I'm beautiful and perfect despite all of this. He cares about me for me. Herpes is just an annoying skin condition. Nothing more. I hope he never decides to leave because of it, but if he does at least I know there is hope. I'm not gonna let a little skin condition rule my life.

Tears are pouring down my face right now but that face also has a big smile on it because whoever wrote this post is an angel. The things you said, right down to the simple "It's going to be OK", are the very things I needed to hear when trying to figure out how to wrap my mind around how to even begin to deal with this. I laughed out loud at "A few cold sores on your lady bits is nothing"!! HAHA!! Thank you....very much...for posting your story and your encouraging words. You are a beautiful soul with a wonderful outlook on life and you are an inspiration to us all!! It IS going to be OK!!
:-)

This story really made me smile and very much so coincides with many of my beliefs about having this condition. For someone who's always had self-esteem issues, it's quite ironic how something that many would find shameful would bring about such inner strength and make me appreciate the person I am inside. I have more confidence now than I ever did so in the past. At the end of the day, all I can say is that if someone can't love me or accept me because of my condition in spite of my many great qualities than I have no reason to keep them in my life anyway. Over the short amount of time that I have had this virus, I have learned to appreciate and garner up enough love for myself.

Hi, I'm 22 yr old male I just found out I have both type 1 n 2 so it's that bad. I'm like crying n I can't stop I have two kids n I don't know what to do any more can some one give me advice?

I was just diagnosed with type 2 two days ago. I'm 21 years old, I've been feeling so depressed because it's so crazy how quickly it went from being completely healthy to having this condition and even more because it could have been avoided. I made a huge mistake but only God knows why things like these happen. I am talking to this guy right now he's amazing but I know that if things keep on going better and he asks me to be his girlfriend in the future, then sooner or later I will have to tell him, and I'm so scared that I am gonna send him running for the hills the minute I tell him. I read that you have told some guys, do you have any advice on how to have the talk? I really care about this guy and I'm really new at this I don't really know what to say or do :(

I was diagnosed 3 months ago and having my second outbreak. I go through positive and negative thoughts about it everyday. I feel as though there is a negative voice trying to break through but the positive side is trying to beat it down.

I'm still going through a pretty hard time but I hope to be as positive as you are soon. I guess everything takes time and my time will come.

There are a lot more worse off people and sometimes I look at the less fortunate people and feel selfish that I worry about herpes. After all it is only a skin condition.

Lets hope for a happy future xxx

I was looking for some comfort from someone who had found dating success with Herpes. I've had it for a long time but just recently started dating with it, and after some disappointment I'm feeling scared about the future. But your story is the first positive one I have found and it has given me hope. Read my story (12 years later...It's not that bad). It may encourage you too!

Your story is so uplifting and I wanna thank you!!! I was recently diagnosed just a few short days ago. I keep crying and I feel like I am not me sometimes. The medicine I'm on has me feeling really weird but I'm a little worried that apart of me is slipping away. Since I've found out I've joined a few groups and they've been really helpful. So thank you so much for sharing your story. If you could please email me(I'm not crazy LOL). I just want to be able to talk to someone who is going through the same thing I'm going through.