Herpes support groups play a huge role in helping single people infected with genital herpes lead normal and productive lives. Despite a growing awareness of this disease, there is still a negative stereotype associated with it. A vast majority of the public still believes that herpes is a "deserved" condition and those that are infected with it are promiscuous people with no moral value.
Under normal circumstances, dating is a challenge. For those with genital herpes, it becomes even more challenging. Emotional issues, such as embarrassment, fear of rejection, and worry about spreading the virus may keep people from reaching out. They may have a lower self-esteem and withdrawal from dating completely. Herpes support groups are wonderful forums for finding companionship among other herpes sufferers.
People often use a variety of emotional responses to cope with a herpes diagnosis. Secrecy is a big one. They refrain from telling people that they have herpes, hide their symptoms, and may even deny it to themselves. Withdrawal from society is another one. People may stay in a bad relationship, emotionally distance themselves, and avoid forming new relationships.
Statistically, people who are coping in this manner tend to fair poorer overall in managing their herpes than people who use approaches that are more positive. Better coping skills can mean a more satisfying life overall and a higher degree of control over herpes outbreaks.
This includes self-help sites that promote sincere sharing of personal stories, giving emotional support, and acceptance. Open acceptance, where a person is honest in admitting their herpes, is another important factor. In this way, the person's friends and family become better educated about the virus.
The central debate around dating with genital herpes is that the virus is highly contagious and those who do not have it are at risk of contracting it (even with a condom). Unbelievably, there is a positive side to this. It encourages people to practice safer sex and to learn to manage their herpes outbreaks effectively.
While it is true that there is no cure for genital herpes, it is also true that it is possible to live life without passing it on and for going intimate relationships. There are treatments. By working with a sympathetic physician to control outbreaks and understand transmission, people can develop strategies that allow them to cope with success.
Herpes support groups offer emotional support, friendship, and dating opportunities. By dating someone that already has the virus, much of the worry is eliminated. These people can relate to each other because they share a commonality. Open acceptance within a community can foster peace of mind. There are websites, such as Love, H Style that welcome people to share, learn, and explore together.
Monti Robinson is the owner / CEO of http://www.Lovehstyle.com, which was created as a powerful resource not only for people living with Genital Herpes, Oral Herpes, Genital Warts, and HPV; but also for their partners, families, support groups, managers, counselors, and medical professionals.
Love, H Style is an online Social Networking Community where you can find plenty of helpful information about Herpes (HSV-1, HSV-2) and HPV. We also allow you to meet singles throughout the world that come here to gather in search of information, support, friendships, and romance.
