For some people, the prospect of finding a compatible man or woman for a lasting relationship can prove challenging. If you have been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease like herpes, or are HIV positive, you might wonder if you should bother looking at all. Regardless of how or when you came to acquire an STD, it's important to note that you can still lead a fulfilling, active life doing what you wish, and that includes dating.
Before You Search, Get the Facts
If you are considering entering the dating scene post-STD, it's important to educate yourself completely on your health and the risks involved in being sexually active should the occasion arise. Consult with your doctor about the severity of your condition, and know what you can and can not do in order to ensure the safety of a non-STD partner, or to prevent a partner with a sexually transmitted illness from getting sicker.
If you are required to take medication or topical ointments for the treatment of your virus, you will want to be honest with anybody you date if you feel the attraction is strong enough to last. Using condoms during moments of intimacy may prevent the spread of viruses, but no form of protection beyond abstinence can be considered a hundred percent effective. Know what you're dealing with, so you are able to talk with potential partners.
Dating with STD
Once you are prepared to date, you must determine how to find a suitable partner. There are Internet dating sites devoted entirely to matching people with STD to hopeful mates. Some may concentrate entirely on people who are HIV-positive, while others cater to men and women with herpes or HPV, the Human Papilloma Virus, among other venereal illnesses. Many sites offer free registration, charging fees only for premium services.
If you wish to retain some degree of anonymity as you search online, be sure to thoroughly browse each dating site you join before giving your personal information. Know the terms offered, and be yourself as you meet people interested in you.
Above all else, be honest with yourself and with potential life partners. HIV dating and herpes dating don't need to be scary prospects. Educate yourself, and be careful, and enjoy your romantic life.
K. Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on relationships.
