[Video] Growing through the yuck of having herpes

Guest author from our community: Ashley

It is easy to get sucked into the negative when you get a herpes diagnosis. I remember the day that I was diagnosed. I was at the health center at my university and I had the most horrific first herpes outbreak anyone could imagine. Two solid weeks of not being able to sit, lay down, use the bathroom, or shower without excruciating pain. Not to mention the accompanying nausea, fatigue, and general feelings of misery. The nurse gave me the diagnosis and I felt my heart hit the floor. Who would want me now since I have herpes? With shaking hands I dialed my then boyfriend’s cell phone number. “The rash I have? It’s herpes,” I said, cringing with every word. “I had a feeling that’s what it was,” he replied calmly. “Are you mad?” I asked. “No sweetie,” he said, “you’re still the same person you were an hour ago. It’s just herpes. It’s not life-threatening.”

“Healing is not a linear path. There are twists and turns, forks and loops. It took a lot of tears, many sleepless nights, and a lot of support to get me to where I am now.”I was shocked. I was expecting anger — even fury. I spread herpes to him unknowingly because I didn’t recognize the symptoms, and here he was reassuring me! Together we researched home remedies and information on herpes that was now a part of both of our lives. We supported each other through our first outbreak and subsequent herpes outbreaks, until we finally went our separate ways a few months later. It was wonderful to have someone who understood what I was going through. It was even more incredible to have a partner who cared about me and supported me through a period of pretty intense anger and self-loathing. I felt dirty. I felt unlovable. I felt unattractive. He helped me get through those feelings, at least temporarily.

It wasn’t until I attempted to get back into the dating scene that I realized that not everyone was so understanding. I was rejected countless times. It got to the point that I started disclosing on the first date just to get it over with. My reasoning was at least if (and when) he rejected me, at least we would have only wasted one date. All those feelings of inadequacy, self-loathing, and depression came flooding back. I became convinced that I was never going to find someone who would want to “deal with” my condition. I felt myself descending into what I have now termed, “the yuck.”

The yuck is a place of toxic feelings. It harbors the helpless victim mentality and feeds into feelings of anger, resentment, blame, and sorrow. It is easy to get trapped in the yuck. It’s like quicksand. One minute you’re doing okay and then as soon as you have a bad date, an outbreak, or even hear a herpes joke, you’re right back down in the pit of despair. I felt broken, worthless, and alone.

Gradually, I started to learn more about herpes. I learned about herpes transmission rates and ways to keep outbreaks under control. I learned that there were herpes dating sites and herpes support sites for people with herpes. I found a therapist and did some hard work with her, including letting go of my anger at the guy who raped me (which is how I ended up with herpes). I started to grow. I decided that I needed something to represent my new outlook on life. I’m a firm believer in body reclamation, and for me, that sometimes takes the form of tattoos.

The tattoo of the lotus flower on my right shoulder.

Halloween 2009, three months after my rape and one month after my herpes diagnosis, I decided to get a lotus tattoo on my right shoulder. The lotus flower grows in the mud in shallow water and does not bloom until it reaches the surface. While it’s growing, the flower petals are safe inside the blossom, which keeps them from getting stained by the mud. I always loved the symbolism of the lotus flower, but I didn’t realize how accurate the metaphor was for me until about two years later. I battled my anger, my resentment, and my self-consciousness many times over those two years. Healing is not a linear path. There are twists and turns, forks and loops. It took a lot of tears, many sleepless nights, and a lot of support to get me to where I am now.

Underneath the lotus is a Tibetan Buddhist mantra: “Om Mani Padme Hum.” This mantra is a devotion to Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. It serves as a daily reminder that I cannot know where someone else has been or what has led them to this point. It encourages me to show compassion to others as well as myself.

Thanks to Adrial and the Herpes Opportunity, I found the strength to “come out” about having herpes. I told my friends, family, and the internet. I have to say, I have never felt so free in my entire life. It feels wonderful to be able to speak openly about having herpes, instead of saying the word in hushed tones while constantly looking over my shoulder wondering who might be listening and judging. I look forward to talking about herpes during my weekly Skype call with Adrial. I get excited that other people will see our videos and hopefully crack a smile or giggle at our silliness. I feel genuine and authentic, which is a huge improvement over the way I felt when I was still “in the yuck.”

I encourage everyone to take time to reflect on where they are in the growth process. Are you still in the yuck? Don’t worry, there are others there too and you can help each other grow. Are you growing but not quite at the surface? Reach out and let people help you. And to those who have blossomed: Share your beauty with the world. Don’t be afraid of your roots. Remember them; because they are a testament to your strength and perseverance throughout this journey.

Ashley Manta is a feminist sexuality educator, certified consulting hypnotist, and sex-positive pleasure advocate. She has given presentations on topics including sexual violence awareness, positive body image, and sexual empowerment. She is available for a variety of  workshops which you can find on her website or you can follow her on Twitter @ashleymanta.

______________

Added by Adrial:

Our herpes community forum member DrSuz emailed me this after watching the video:
“Adoring the Skype party with you and Ashley. Pure positivity! Here is a favorite poem very pertinent to topic of this video. Enjoy!”

Sweet Darkness

When your eyes are tired
the world is tired also.

When your vision has gone
no part of the world can find you.

Time to go into the dark
where the night has eyes
to recognize its own.

There you can be sure
you are not beyond love.

The dark will be your womb
tonight.

The night will give you a horizon
further than you can see.

You must learn one thing:
the world was made to be free in.

Give up all the other worlds
except the one to which you belong.

Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet
confinement of your aloneness
to learn

anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive

is too small for you.

— David Whyte
(House of Belonging)

View the original article here

[Video] Growing through the yuck of having herpes

Guest author from our community: Ashley

It is easy to get sucked into the negative when you get a herpes diagnosis. I remember the day that I was diagnosed. I was at the health center at my university and I had the most horrific first herpes outbreak anyone could imagine. Two solid weeks of not being able to sit, lay down, use the bathroom, or shower without excruciating pain. Not to mention the accompanying nausea, fatigue, and general feelings of misery. The nurse gave me the diagnosis and I felt my heart hit the floor. Who would want me now since I have herpes? With shaking hands I dialed my then boyfriend’s cell phone number. “The rash I have? It’s herpes,” I said, cringing with every word. “I had a feeling that’s what it was,” he replied calmly. “Are you mad?” I asked. “No sweetie,” he said, “you’re still the same person you were an hour ago. It’s just herpes. It’s not life-threatening.”

“Healing is not a linear path. There are twists and turns, forks and loops. It took a lot of tears, many sleepless nights, and a lot of support to get me to where I am now.”I was shocked. I was expecting anger — even fury. I spread herpes to him unknowingly because I didn’t recognize the symptoms, and here he was reassuring me! Together we researched home remedies and information on herpes that was now a part of both of our lives. We supported each other through our first outbreak and subsequent herpes outbreaks, until we finally went our separate ways a few months later. It was wonderful to have someone who understood what I was going through. It was even more incredible to have a partner who cared about me and supported me through a period of pretty intense anger and self-loathing. I felt dirty. I felt unlovable. I felt unattractive. He helped me get through those feelings, at least temporarily.

It wasn’t until I attempted to get back into the dating scene that I realized that not everyone was so understanding. I was rejected countless times. It got to the point that I started disclosing on the first date just to get it over with. My reasoning was at least if (and when) he rejected me, at least we would have only wasted one date. All those feelings of inadequacy, self-loathing, and depression came flooding back. I became convinced that I was never going to find someone who would want to “deal with” my condition. I felt myself descending into what I have now termed, “the yuck.”

The yuck is a place of toxic feelings. It harbors the helpless victim mentality and feeds into feelings of anger, resentment, blame, and sorrow. It is easy to get trapped in the yuck. It’s like quicksand. One minute you’re doing okay and then as soon as you have a bad date, an outbreak, or even hear a herpes joke, you’re right back down in the pit of despair. I felt broken, worthless, and alone.

Gradually, I started to learn more about herpes. I learned about herpes transmission rates and ways to keep outbreaks under control. I learned that there were herpes dating sites and herpes support sites for people with herpes. I found a therapist and did some hard work with her, including letting go of my anger at the guy who raped me (which is how I ended up with herpes). I started to grow. I decided that I needed something to represent my new outlook on life. I’m a firm believer in body reclamation, and for me, that sometimes takes the form of tattoos.

The tattoo of the lotus flower on my right shoulder.

Halloween 2009, three months after my rape and one month after my herpes diagnosis, I decided to get a lotus tattoo on my right shoulder. The lotus flower grows in the mud in shallow water and does not bloom until it reaches the surface. While it’s growing, the flower petals are safe inside the blossom, which keeps them from getting stained by the mud. I always loved the symbolism of the lotus flower, but I didn’t realize how accurate the metaphor was for me until about two years later. I battled my anger, my resentment, and my self-consciousness many times over those two years. Healing is not a linear path. There are twists and turns, forks and loops. It took a lot of tears, many sleepless nights, and a lot of support to get me to where I am now.

Underneath the lotus is a Tibetan Buddhist mantra: “Om Mani Padme Hum.” This mantra is a devotion to Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. It serves as a daily reminder that I cannot know where someone else has been or what has led them to this point. It encourages me to show compassion to others as well as myself.

Thanks to Adrial and the Herpes Opportunity, I found the strength to “come out” about having herpes. I told my friends, family, and the internet. I have to say, I have never felt so free in my entire life. It feels wonderful to be able to speak openly about having herpes, instead of saying the word in hushed tones while constantly looking over my shoulder wondering who might be listening and judging. I look forward to talking about herpes during my weekly Skype call with Adrial. I get excited that other people will see our videos and hopefully crack a smile or giggle at our silliness. I feel genuine and authentic, which is a huge improvement over the way I felt when I was still “in the yuck.”

I encourage everyone to take time to reflect on where they are in the growth process. Are you still in the yuck? Don’t worry, there are others there too and you can help each other grow. Are you growing but not quite at the surface? Reach out and let people help you. And to those who have blossomed: Share your beauty with the world. Don’t be afraid of your roots. Remember them; because they are a testament to your strength and perseverance throughout this journey.

Ashley Manta is a feminist sexuality educator, certified consulting hypnotist, and sex-positive pleasure advocate. She has given presentations on topics including sexual violence awareness, positive body image, and sexual empowerment. She is available for a variety of  workshops which you can find on her website or you can follow her on Twitter @ashleymanta.

______________

Added by Adrial:

Our herpes community forum member DrSuz emailed me this after watching the video:
“Adoring the Skype party with you and Ashley. Pure positivity! Here is a favorite poem very pertinent to topic of this video. Enjoy!”

Sweet Darkness

When your eyes are tired
the world is tired also.

When your vision has gone
no part of the world can find you.

Time to go into the dark
where the night has eyes
to recognize its own.

There you can be sure
you are not beyond love.

The dark will be your womb
tonight.

The night will give you a horizon
further than you can see.

You must learn one thing:
the world was made to be free in.

Give up all the other worlds
except the one to which you belong.

Sometimes it takes darkness and the sweet
confinement of your aloneness
to learn

anything or anyone
that does not bring you alive

is too small for you.

— David Whyte
(House of Belonging)

View the original article here

Woman allegedly gets herpes at Rihanna concert: Can virus be spread through lipstick?

A Harlem, N.Y. woman is suing MAC Cosmetics for allegedly giving her herpes through a contaminated makeup sample, CBS New York reports.

Starkeema Greenidge, 28, claimed in her lawsuit with the Manhattan Supreme Court that she sampled a RiRi Woo MAC lipstick that was being offered at a Rihanna concert on May 7 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. An employee applied the used lipstick to the woman's lips, and then told her to "press her lips together and spread the lipstick around," according to the report.

Greenidge's lips started to swell two days after. A doctor soon notified her that she had a cold sore, which was the result of contracting a version of the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

"I wasn't able to work for two weeks. It cost me a lot of money," Greenidge told the New York Daily News.

Oral herpes -- caused by herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) -- is an infection of the lips, mouth or gums that can present as painful blisters called cold sores. The herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) causes genital herpes.

Most people in the U.S. are infected with this virus by age 20, according to National Institutes of Health, and after the first infection, the virus goes to sleep in the nerve tissues in the face, but sometimes can reactivate to cause cold sores.

Whether or not Greenidge got herpes from a tainted sample has yet to be determined, but doctors have said it is possible to get the herpes simplex virus from something that an infected person's lips touched.

"If a woman has a cut on her lip and borrows lipstick from someone who has a cold sore, she'll get a cold sore. You can pass herpes [the cold sore virus], conjunctivitis [pink eye] and all sorts of things through sharing makeup," Dr. Zein Obagi, a dermatologist based in Beverly Hills, told the Los Angeles Times in an earlier article about germs spread through makeup samples.

Dr. Joy M. Jackson, a family medicine specialist in North Hills, Calif., said for a HealthTap response that herpes is easily spread through direct contact with the virus. This means coming in direct contact with a herpes lesion, engaging in sexual activity with an actively infected person or sharing a drinking glass, lipstick or cigarette with a person with an active herpes outbreak on their mouth could transmit the disease.

Dr. Elizabeth Brooks, a biological sciences professor at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia who conducted a study on germs in public makeup, told the Los Angeles Times that her team found staph, strep and even E. coli bacteria on makeup testers in department stores, specialty stores and drugstores. The bacteria was especially high on Saturdays, the day of the week where the stores had the most traffic.

Brooks added that lipstick samples should always be applied with a new disposable applicator, as should any other makeup products. Products you are testing should be cleaned with a tissue or one dipped in alcohol.

Greenidge hopes that the company will be more conscious about the sanitary conditions of their samples in the future.

"This is going to happen over and over again if nothing is done," she said.

MAC Cosmetics told The Daily Beast in a statement, "Consumer safety is a top priority at MAC Cosmetics, and we take these matters very seriously. We are closely reviewing these claims."

View the original article here

Oral Herpes Spread Through Kissing? polyDNA’s Monthly Survey Shows Segment of Public Believes Kissing with Fever ...

Survey Shows 45% of Respondents Believe Kissing with Oral Herpes Lesions “Ok”

Rochester, NY (PRWEB) March 28, 2013

polyDNA recently received answers to its monthly survey regarding the public's knowledge of the herpes virus.

One of the questions asked was, "If you have cold sores, do you think it is possible to infect others while kissing?" Amazingly, a significant percentage of the public said "No."

“If you have this sore on your lip or whatever, and it’s going away, well then it’s going away, right? Nobody wants to kiss you when you have a nasty, open cold sore where everyone can see it, but when it’s on the way out? Your body killed it, you know. It’s gone. You ain’t going to spread it to nobody.” –Shauna B., Charlotte, N.C.

The truth is exactly the opposite however. polyDNA’s survey found that the respondents did not realize that, “The virus is spread from person to person by kissing, by close contact with herpetic lesions, or even from contact with apparently normal skin that is shedding the virus. Infected saliva is a common means of virus transmission.” [1]

Additionally, the respondents had no clue that, “About 50 percent to 80 percent of US adults have oral herpes. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), by age 50, approximately 90 percent of adults have been exposed to the virus…The herpes lesions typically last a week to 10 days and most often occur around the lips, oral mucosa, and/or tongue.” [2]

Mike Evans, from the polyDNA said, "It's amazing. The very idea that so many people have no real clue as to how oral herpes is transmitted is incredible. The fact is though, the majority just doesn’t know."

polyDNA believes that because of the ignorance revealed in its survey, the public should be aware of the relationship between kissing and the spread of oral herpes (HSV-1). In addition, the biotechnology firm recommends boosting the immune system against a latent herpes infection through the use of a scientific, all natural remedy. That remedy is Gene-Eden-VIR.

A recent post marketing clinical study showed that Gene-Eden-VIR is effective against the latent herpes virus. By helping the body's immune system target the latent herpes virus, people also lower their risk of developing fever blisters, cold sores, or genital herpes symptoms. [3]

Gene-Eden-VIR is highly effective against the latent herpes virus, each ingredient was chosen through a scientific approach. Scientists scanned thousands of scientific and medical papers published in various medical and scientific journals around the world to identify the safest, most effective natural ingredients that target the latent forms of both HSV-1 and HSV-2. [4]

To learn more about Gene-Eden-VIR, visit http://www.gene-eden-kill-virus.com.

References:

[1] [2[3 [4 http://www.gene-eden-kill-virus.com/studies.php

polyDNA is a biotechnology company that develops dietary supplements using the unique scientific method developed by Dr. Hanan Polansky, which is based on Computer Intuition.

In addition to his unique scientific method, Dr. Polansky published the highly acclaimed scientific discovery, called Microcompetition with Foreign DNA. The discovery explains how foreign DNA fragments, and specifically, DNA of latent viruses, cause most major diseases.

polyDNA developed Gene-Eden-VIR , an antiviral natural remedy that helps the immune system kill latent viruses.

Mike Davis
PolyDNA
5852509999
Email Information

View the original article here

New Treatment Available for Painful and Embarrassing Genital Herpes Symptoms Through the Use of Electro Waveform ...

VyGone Inhibitor Zapper brings quick relief to thousands suffering from genital herpes, genital warts, shingles, cold sores, herpes and other uncomfortable and embarrassing conditions before they ever appear

Springville, UT (PRWEB) January 24, 2012

More than 60 million people in the US suffer from genital herpes, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. If you are one of them, you probably already know there is no way to cure herpes.

Genital herpes are caused by herpes viruses that are transmitted through skin to skin contact with somebody already infected with the virus. Many people don’t realize they have become infected until the symptoms start to appear a few days after the exposure. The viruses – which are like a short DNA protein and are 100,000 times smaller than a cell -- are not alive. Therefore, they can never be killed.

But now there is a new, pain-free way to eliminate the symptoms caused by the genital herpes virus. The VyGone Inhibitor Zapper harnesses the power of electro waveform technology for the treatment of herpes, as well as genital warts, shingles and other conditions caused by microscopic viruses. When applied to infected areas, the mild electro waveform released by the VyGone Zapper stops viral activities and allows fast natural healing, eliminating ugly and embarrassing genital herpes symptoms.

Genital Herpes Simplex-II viruses cause recurring blisters and lesions similar to cold sores, but in the genital area. This is a very personal problem, causing emotional distress.

One out of every four people in this country, aged 9 an older, suffer from genital herpes, with the virus most common in women and black males.

Within 2 to 10 days after infection, symptoms such as painful itching and burning in genital area, then small red bumps begin to appear. Pain may occur in legs, buttocks, genital area, and when urinating. Many report blisters, painful open lesions, vaginal discharge, pressure and discomfort around the stomach, flu symptoms, fever, headache, muscle aches, and swollen glands.

There is no cure for herpes. However, early application of the Viral Inhibitor Pro at first symptoms helps to prevent lesions. Sores heal naturally faster.

To use VyGone, simply place the two prongs on your skin and press the buttons on the side of the zapper. A light will come on that indicates that the device is working properly. The first light will stay on for about ten seconds. A second light will then come on, which indicates that the zapper has reversed the direction of the electrical flow.

To eliminate genital herpes symptoms, simply apply the Viral Inhibitor Pro up to 8 times daily to each papule. To prevent lesions, users emphasize early detection and immediate applications.

The VyGone Zapper Pro is good for thousands and thousands of treatments.

VyGone also can be used for the symptoms of viruses caused by shingles, moles, genital warts and other conditions.

The VyGone Zapper is also effective for people who are prone to cold sores. They normally feel an initial tingling before the signature blister appears. Once they erupt, embarrassing, humiliating cold sores form in and around the mouth often stay visible for throughout their 7 to 14 day cycle.

But just a few applications of the VyGone Zapper stimulate neural signals that stop blisters and lesions from appearing. This electrical device provides a safe, noninvasive remedy which allows the body’s fast healing immune system to quickly suppress cold sores until their next eruption.

For Aaron, a cold sore sufferer from Wyoming, the healing effects of the VyGone Zapper were all in the family.

“My cousin told me about this Zapper and how well it works so I bought one,” Aaron said. “I get lots of cold sores so it wasn’t too long until I got one and had a chance to use it. I felt it coming on and zapped it a couple of times in its earliest stages. The burning stopped immediately and the cold sore never broke the skin. The best part is I can use this zapper for years instead of one treatment like the medication I used to use.”

The VyGone Zapper mainly targets Herpes viruses associated with genital herpes, molluscum, cold sores (oral Herpes), and shingles. It can be applied to warts, moles and other growths caused by Herpes. The Zapper is harmless, non-invasive, non-chemical, non-addictive and has no side-effects. Handheld and portable, the Zapper is private and close at hand for an attack. Over time, with consistent use, viral attacks lessen in frequency, severity and duration.

People with genital herpes now have a new weapon in their arsenal to stop herpes with the VyGone Zapper. For more information about the electro waveform technology used by the VyGone Zapper, visit our website at http://www.VyGone.com.

###

Kelsie Green
VyGone Zapper
208-323-9451 7102
Email Information

View the original article here