Dating with Herpes

By Jayde Johanssen

You're back from your physician with some bad news: you've been diagnosed as a carrier of the herpes virus. Take a few moments to compose yourself with the fact that you'll carry herpes forever, but then realize: this isn't the end of the world. You'll still be able to lead a rich, fulfilling life with wonderful friends and family. Herpes carriers aren't different from the unaffected person standing next to them; the main contrast is that increased honesty and restraint is required when you think about having sex with a new partner.

Let's begin with an introduction to basics of herpes. Herpes is a viral infection that's transmitted when a "carrier" has sex with a partner. Make sure to understand that, as of right now, herpes isn't curable. That means that the sooner you come to grips with it, the better. Every once in a while, the virus will result in symptoms such as sores and blisters. Often these are quite itchy or irritable.

So, how does having herpes effect your dating? From the beginning, you need to remain completely honest with your potential partners. Before you even get close to getting into bed, tell your partner about the infection, how it works, what it means to them, and their chances of contracting herpes if you have sex with each other. This doesn't have to be discussed over the first date. However, you will want to make sure that you handle it relatively soon. Above all, you don't want to get yourself into the situation where you're back at your lover's apartment or home, ready for some hot action. This kind of behavior will nearly always cause your partner to steam out of the room, and usually they won't return. Avoid this kind of situation by being honest and upfront.

Also, be sure to check out sites and services tailored specifically to people who carry the herpes virus. Think about the many benefits associated with going through these kinds of sites; there's nothing left to chance. Everyone knows upfront the risks of getting involved with another infected person, and you'll never have to endure the awkwardness of explaining what herpes is all about. This could also be your chance to find someone who can provide emotional support.

People who carry herpes only show their symptoms every once in a while. Don't let that fool you; you'll still need to tell potential partners that you have herpes, because even if you don't have any blisters or sores at the current moment, you can pass the virus along.

You'll want to avoid having sex while you're suffering from an outbreak, because the chances of transmission to your partner are much greater during this period. Though anti-viral drugs that limit and control outbreaks are quite expensive, you should definitely consider them if you want to limit herpes' effect on your life.

And of course, always wear protection. Condoms aren't bulletproof in this situation, but they certainly go a long way towards keeping you and your partners safe. Herpes is just one of the many STD's out there; others include AIDS and Hepatitis, both of which have very serious consequences.

When everything's said and done, remember that the person you're meant to spend the rest of your life with will love without regard to whether you have herpes or not. This is only one bit of your life, and not something that needs to define you. - 32510

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