Cancer Is My Herpes: Living With Recurrent Disease

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About a year ago, I learned about some "worrisome" spots that had shown up on my quarterly CT scan. This was about six months after my last of 24 chemotherapy infusions, and to say I was bummed upon hearing the news would be an understatement. But I slowly wrapped my brain around the notion of a "third option" relating to cancer, the third option being something between permanent remission from cancer... and death.

Now the thought of just "learning to live with" cancer was unappealing then and is unappealing now. Of course, I (and anyone else without a death wish) would prefer to live a long life, free of illness and disease, without the scepter of cancer hanging over my head. But as a couple of wise blokes named Mick Jagger and Keith Richards once wrote, you can't always get what you want.

Over the course of the past year, I and my oncology team have watched and monitored those worrisome nodules, hoping they'd either go away or at least remain unchanged. The nodes were too small and scattered to biopsy; but since cancer rarely remains completely stagnant, the thought was that if they didn't grow, they likely weren't cancer. Unfortunately, they grew. Not at an alarming rate, but slowly and steadily they grew. And just as slowly and steadily, my CA125 (cancer marker) levels crept upward.

My family and I watched and waited, hoping for the best but fearing the worst, until a couple of weeks ago, my oncologist called me in for the hard conversation.

"Given the growth of these nodules over the past several months, and the increase in your CA125 levels, we do believe your cancer has returned."

As difficult as this was to hear, I have to say I wasn't surprised. I had never rested easily with the knowledge of those mysterious nodules inside me, not even for a day. In my heart of hearts, I think I always knew they were dangerous. I'd hoped with every fiber of my being I was wrong, but my gut told me my fears were well placed.

I did, however, question the use of the terminology about my cancer having "returned." Because even though I was told at the end of treatment more than 18 months ago that my scans and blood work showed "no evidence of disease", we've essentially been watching these spots for more than a year. So my cancer hasn't actually returned. The truth is, my cancer likely never left. When I pressed my oncologist about this, she acknowledged that I was correct. The nodes on my CT scan were now simply large enough to see. However, they'd likely been there all along.

Cancer.org published a helpful informational paper about recurrent cancer, describing how sometimes small clusters of cancer cells that could not be seen or found on scans or other tests, grow large enough over time to be detected or cause symptoms. While I'm not yet experiencing symptoms as a result of the nodules in my pelvic region -- they're still too small -- they are definitely now detectible and need to be addressed.

Right now the plan is for me to resume chemotherapy after the first of the year. And this time I'll likely be on some form of chemo drug for the rest of my life or until there's a cure. The thought of this both exhausts and terrifies me. I don't want to die. My daughter just turned two. I want to be around to see her grow up. I want to grow old with my husband. I'm not ready to go anytime soon... not by a long shot. So I'm scared and even a little angry.

Aside from processing these feelings, exploring treatment options and second opinions, and learning to cope with the stress and anxiety that came with this news, I'm also learning to reframe my thinking about cancer as a recurrent disease. I can no longer look myself in the eye and tell myself with 100 percent certainty that "this time" I'm going to beat cancer for good. In actuality, the cancer will likely continue to crop up, just hopefully with longer periods of time with no detectible activity between "episodes."

While I strongly dislike the thought of this, I also have to acknowledge that many people live long lives with recurrent, incurable disease. Those with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, COPD, severe asthma and even HIV, all learn to manage their symptoms with medication, diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes and therapies, and deal with flare-ups as necessary when they occur.

I remember when an HIV/AIDS diagnosis was considered a death sentence. And it was. I lost several friends to the disease in the late 1980s and early 1990s, before the advent of the "AIDS cocktail" of antiretroviral therapy. Today HIV/AIDS is manageable, and considered a chronic illness rather than a fatal one. Turns out, many cancers fall into the same category.

I have to wrap my mind around the fact that, unless a cure is discovered in my lifetime, cancer is going to be part of my life for the rest of my life. Cancer is my herpes. Or my diabetes or RA or COPD. It's in me and I am going to have to accept it and learn to manage and dominate it. I want to live a long life, so in my mind, I have no other choice.

Image via Brooke Kelly Photography

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A Woman's Guide to Living With an STD

There are currently more than 65 million Americans living with an STD and chances are you are one of them or know someone who is. Living with an STD can be challenging and remarkably difficult. But with the right perspective and proper treatment, you can lead a normal life.

I Tested Positive - What Now?

Once the initial shock has worn off, it's vital that you educate yourself about the disease. The doctors and nurses at the clinic you were tested can provide you with information on how to manage your disease. In some cases, STDs can be cured with medication, while others will be a lifelong issue that must be managed. Speak to your personal doctor to find out what options you have for treating your disease.

I Feel So Ashamed

Because of social stigmas and self-inflicted shame, individuals with STDs are rapidly losing their quality of life. It is vital that young women who are infected with an STD understand that they are in no way less of a human being because they were diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease; it's simply a matter of having a medical condition that requires attention, much like most people in society.

I Feel Angry

Anger, resentment, and frustration are all normal emotions to feel when diagnosed with an STD. However, do your best to resist immediate urges to place blame. If you have had more than one sexual partner and not been tested between each one, you may not know who exposed. It is also quite possible that they did not realize they were putting you at risk. Anger and other negative emotions will only make you feel and the situation itself worse.

No One Knows How I Feel

Seek support from those who understand what you are dealing with. Many areas offer weekly support groups where members of the community can connect with others. There are also a myriad of online support groups, forums, and sites for singles, such as herpes dating sites [http://www.sunshinedates.com/].

How will the STD Affect My Relationships?

People you may want to disclose your disease to include sex partners, family, close friends, and individuals you live with. Telling sex partners after you have tested partner is not an easy thing, but in some states, it is against the law not to if you have an STD. Furthermore, those who really want to be with you will appreciate and respect your openness and honesty. Telling family and close friends could provide you with further love and support. Roommates or people we live with can often see us at our most vulnerable, so you may want to consider telling them so you do not have to stress and worry about it.

Living With Herpes - Having a Relationship With Herpes

There are about 60 million people in the US living with herpes. Being infected can be difficult and especially trying in intimate situations. Having the herpes virus does not mean you should stay away from the dating scene though, many infected people are in perfectly healthy relationships.

Living with herpes is hard and dating with herpes may seem downright impossible, but can be done when you have an understanding partner. Telling your partner about your infection may not be the easiest thing to do, but will help protect them from contracting the virus. Being open and honest not only protects your partner, but can help build a stronger relationship. The best relationships are built with a strong foundation based on trust and honesty. An important step is discussing the frequency of outbreaks to get an idea of when they may occur. Thankfully, most people only have a few during the course of a year. Alert your partner if you begin to feel an outbreak coming so they can avoid the infected area.

When dating with herpes, you will need to work around these outbreaks. Intimacy between them is possible when the proper precautions are taken. It is advised to abstain from any kind of sexual contact during an outbreak when the transmission rate is the highest. Using condoms is the best form of protection against the herpes virus, but is not 100% guaranteed. Many couples in long-term relationships who understand the outbreak cycle do not use condoms because the virus is not a serious health risk. Using lubricant is advised because it reduces friction and the possibility of viral shedding. Viral shedding occurs when skin is sloughed off, and can happen even when symptoms aren't present. A lubricant containing nonoxynol is a good choice to reduce shedding because it has been found to have antiviral properties. If you or your partner are apprehensive or nervous about sex, you may want to abstain for a while. You can also be intimate without penetration until the time feels right.

Dating with herpes can be just as rewarding as dating without the virus; you just need to approach it with extra care. Living with herpes shouldn't stop you from having relationships or finding that special someone. Always be honest with your partner and do what you can to protect them. Your care and concern for their well-being can have positive effects on the relationship and may reward both of you in the long run.

For a detailed plan of action that nips outbreaks in the butt, and allow the vibrance in your relationship to boil... visit: http://www.BestHerpesMedication.com

Dating and Living With Herpes - Tips to Make Your Life Easier

Living with herpes isn't easy. But, there are some strategies for living a more comfortable life.

This includes day to day hygiene as well as interaction with your friends, family, co-workers and other people you come in contact with on a daily basis.

And don't forget your love life as herpes is not a death sentence for your existing relationship or if you're looking for a new one.

If you have the disease you must understand it. This involves understanding what causes your outbreaks. Doing this will enable you to manage your herpes more effectively.

You must learn to recognize and monitor your symptoms and be able to treat them fast. Statistics show that herpes sufferers have symptoms that are not as clear cut as medical textbooks would tell you. Statistics will also show that most herpes sufferers don't even have symptoms of an outbreak. You have to be smart!

Personal hygiene is essential if you are herpes positive. Showering at least once daily, and twice daily when symptoms of an outbreak are present would be wise.

You must use a clean washcloth every time you bathe. When you have cleaned your infected area do not use the same washcloth to clean the rest of your body. It would be smart to wash your outbreak area last during a shower to avoid spreading the herpes.

Broken blisters should be cleaned with soap and water to kill any viral fluid that may seep from the lesions. This also promotes healing. Try to keep the infected area as dry as possible, except when bathing.

Another tip for clothing is to wear lose garments that help stimulate airflow.

Never touch any lesions you have without washing your hands after wards. If you don't wash, anyone who comes in contact with the viral fluid left behind by anything you touch will contract the disease too.

Using good hygiene makes sense and will keep your outbreaks too a minimum as well as preventing anyone you're in contact with from contracting the disease too.

And, if you're looking for a new love interest, doesn't it make sense to use a dating site especially for people with herpes and other sexually transmitted diseases?

No need to lie or hide behind a false front. Everyone on the site has the same problem. This way, you can really get to know someone without worrying about telling them about your affliction.

Visit http://www.BuildingAStableRelationship.com and find a new love from thousands of people just like you.

Living With Herpes - How to Cope

There's no way to describe the feeling of utter loneliness and devastation when the doctor tells you that you have an incurable sexually transmitted disease.

Knowing that you'll be living with herpes for the rest of your life is something you just can't face. You feel dirty and ashamed and you'd like to get your hands on the person who gave you this horrible virus...

Early reactions like this are fully understandable, however, you must understand that these feelings won't last forever. Once the initial shock wears off, you have no choice but to pull yourself together and face life head on.

Don't jump to conclusions

Did your partner deliberately infect you? Probably not. If s/he did, then you're fully entitled to your feelings, but...

More than likely s/he was asymptomatic and had never developed telltale herpes lesions. It stands to reason; if s/he was unaware of being herpes positive, then s/he cannot be blamed for transmitting the virus.

Besides, when you decided to have sex, you knew that making love with a new partner carried certain risks, so there's no point in feeling angry or harboring resentment.

Face up to it. You have the virus; therefore you must somehow pick up the pieces and learn the ins and outs of living with herpes without shame or feelings of inferiority.

What if you Caught it From Your Spouse?

The worse mistake you could make is to immediately assume that your partner has been unfaithful.

Laboratory tests prove that the virus can lie dormant in the nervous system for years and even decades before erupting for the first time.

What if you were the one who was infected without knowing it?

Besides, even if you did catch it from your spouse, s/he could have contracted the virus long before you met and fell in love.

You are not Alone

Herpes statistics tell us there are at least 45 million Americans out there who have genital herpes. They laugh and cry, they fall in love, they marry and raise families, and they live normal lives.

You can do the same!

Think about this one ... it's an undeniable fact that some of your close friends and family have the disease, not to mention a few of your acquaintances, colleagues or classmates.

On top of that, one out of five people out there, including pop stars, celebrities, beauty queens and politicians are living with herpes right now.

You're not alone and no one's to blame. You're just darn unlucky that you were one of the few who went on to display those horrible symptoms.

There is no Stigma Attached to Living with Herpes

According to the Center for Disease Control, 90% of the people in the United States have herpes of one kind or another.

When all is said and done, herpes is nothing more than a very common skin disorder, and nothing to be ashamed of.

As far as your mental health and self-image are concerned, it's absolutely essential that you understand and accept this emotionally and not just intellectually.

Speak to a Trusted Confidant and join a Herpes Support Group

Your first priority is to unburden yourself.

Speak with someone you can trust as soon as possible. Rant and rave all you want and have a good cry if you must, but get it out of your system... and then ask him or her for a hug.

After that, you will start to make some wonderful friends when you join one of the herpes support groups.

There's an abundance of fellowships ready to welcome you with open arms. What's more, People in the same boat are more than willing to help a fellow sufferer. They will teach you all about effective herpes medications, diet, natural cures for herpes and many, many other ways to cope on a day-to-day basis.

And of course, there are plenty of herpes dating sites out there.

No matter how dark the future looks right now, you will rejoin the mainstream of life and learn how to live with herpes from one day to the next. Before you know it, you will have shed all your feelings of guilt and shame and learned how to hold your head up high.

Does Having herpes make you less Attractive?

Heck no!

So you happen to develop cold sores now and then or occasionally get pimples or blisters down there. So what? Nobody needs to know unless you choose to tell them.

You're still the same person you've always been and you still have the same attractive qualities you've always had. You may have a cute smile, a wonderful sense of humor or dozens of likable traits that you are unaware of. All those qualities that made people like you before you started living with herpes still exist... and they always will.

Can you Still Find Romance?

Absolutely!

As I mentioned, there are some excellent specialized herpes dating services out there. However, if you happen to meet a herpes free person that you share mutual romantic feelings with, don't jump the gun by rushing into the sexual aspect of your relationship, and for goodness sake, don't blurt out your status too soon.

Be conservative. By the time the correct moment arrives, you will have done your homework and know the best way to explain all the ins and outs of living with herpes to your partner, including all the low-risk ways of having an exciting and fulfilling sex life.

By using the right words and a tactful approach, you'll be surprised how easy it can be for your partner to accept you the way you are and to adjust.

And if they are unwilling to do so, smile and move on... They've just saved you a lot of heartache because they weren't right for you in the first place.

Ian R Kelly draws his ideas both from research and from life's experiences. He has traveled extensively and gained valuable insights through working his way around the world.

The subject of Natural Home Remedies fascinates him. Because of this, he gets a huge kick out of doing in-depth research, and then writing about his findings.

He is a prolific writer and webmaster, currently in the process of designing and developing his own information website:

http://www.home-remedy-site.com/

He also builds historic man-o-war tall ship models for fun and profit. You can view his latest project at:

http://modelshipbuilder.blogspot.com/

Living With Herpes - How to Cope

There's no way to describe the feeling of utter loneliness and devastation when the doctor tells you that you have an incurable sexually transmitted disease.

Knowing that you'll be living with herpes for the rest of your life is something you just can't face. You feel dirty and ashamed and you'd like to get your hands on the person who gave you this horrible virus...

Early reactions like this are fully understandable, however, you must understand that these feelings won't last forever. Once the initial shock wears off, you have no choice but to pull yourself together and face life head on.

Don't jump to conclusions

Did your partner deliberately infect you? Probably not. If s/he did, then you're fully entitled to your feelings, but...

More than likely s/he was asymptomatic and had never developed telltale herpes lesions. It stands to reason; if s/he was unaware of being herpes positive, then s/he cannot be blamed for transmitting the virus.

Besides, when you decided to have sex, you knew that making love with a new partner carried certain risks, so there's no point in feeling angry or harboring resentment.

Face up to it. You have the virus; therefore you must somehow pick up the pieces and learn the ins and outs of living with herpes without shame or feelings of inferiority.

What if you Caught it From Your Spouse?

The worse mistake you could make is to immediately assume that your partner has been unfaithful.

Laboratory tests prove that the virus can lie dormant in the nervous system for years and even decades before erupting for the first time.

What if you were the one who was infected without knowing it?

Besides, even if you did catch it from your spouse, s/he could have contracted the virus long before you met and fell in love.

You are not Alone

Herpes statistics tell us there are at least 45 million Americans out there who have genital herpes. They laugh and cry, they fall in love, they marry and raise families, and they live normal lives.

You can do the same!

Think about this one ... it's an undeniable fact that some of your close friends and family have the disease, not to mention a few of your acquaintances, colleagues or classmates.

On top of that, one out of five people out there, including pop stars, celebrities, beauty queens and politicians are living with herpes right now.

You're not alone and no one's to blame. You're just darn unlucky that you were one of the few who went on to display those horrible symptoms.

There is no Stigma Attached to Living with Herpes

According to the Center for Disease Control, 90% of the people in the United States have herpes of one kind or another.

When all is said and done, herpes is nothing more than a very common skin disorder, and nothing to be ashamed of.

As far as your mental health and self-image are concerned, it's absolutely essential that you understand and accept this emotionally and not just intellectually.

Speak to a Trusted Confidant and join a Herpes Support Group

Your first priority is to unburden yourself.

Speak with someone you can trust as soon as possible. Rant and rave all you want and have a good cry if you must, but get it out of your system... and then ask him or her for a hug.

After that, you will start to make some wonderful friends when you join one of the herpes support groups.

There's an abundance of fellowships ready to welcome you with open arms. What's more, People in the same boat are more than willing to help a fellow sufferer. They will teach you all about effective herpes medications, diet, natural cures for herpes and many, many other ways to cope on a day-to-day basis.

And of course, there are plenty of herpes dating sites out there.

No matter how dark the future looks right now, you will rejoin the mainstream of life and learn how to live with herpes from one day to the next. Before you know it, you will have shed all your feelings of guilt and shame and learned how to hold your head up high.

Does Having herpes make you less Attractive?

Heck no!

So you happen to develop cold sores now and then or occasionally get pimples or blisters down there. So what? Nobody needs to know unless you choose to tell them.

You're still the same person you've always been and you still have the same attractive qualities you've always had. You may have a cute smile, a wonderful sense of humor or dozens of likable traits that you are unaware of. All those qualities that made people like you before you started living with herpes still exist... and they always will.

Can you Still Find Romance?

Absolutely!

As I mentioned, there are some excellent specialized herpes dating services out there. However, if you happen to meet a herpes free person that you share mutual romantic feelings with, don't jump the gun by rushing into the sexual aspect of your relationship, and for goodness sake, don't blurt out your status too soon.

Be conservative. By the time the correct moment arrives, you will have done your homework and know the best way to explain all the ins and outs of living with herpes to your partner, including all the low-risk ways of having an exciting and fulfilling sex life.

By using the right words and a tactful approach, you'll be surprised how easy it can be for your partner to accept you the way you are and to adjust.

And if they are unwilling to do so, smile and move on... They've just saved you a lot of heartache because they weren't right for you in the first place.

Ian R Kelly draws his ideas both from research and from life's experiences. He has traveled extensively and gained valuable insights through working his way around the world.

The subject of Natural Home Remedies fascinates him. Because of this, he gets a huge kick out of doing in-depth research, and then writing about his findings.

He is a prolific writer and webmaster, currently in the process of designing and developing his own information website:

http://www.home-remedy-site.com/

He also builds historic man-o-war tall ship models for fun and profit. You can view his latest project at:

http://modelshipbuilder.blogspot.com/

Herpes Support: Living With an STD

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.

Herpes Support: Living With an STD

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.

Living With Herpes - How to Cope

There's no way to describe the feeling of utter loneliness and devastation when the doctor tells you that you have an incurable sexually transmitted disease.

Knowing that you'll be living with herpes for the rest of your life is something you just can't face. You feel dirty and ashamed and you'd like to get your hands on the person who gave you this horrible virus...

Early reactions like this are fully understandable, however, you must understand that these feelings won't last forever. Once the initial shock wears off, you have no choice but to pull yourself together and face life head on.

Don't jump to conclusions

Did your partner deliberately infect you? Probably not. If s/he did, then you're fully entitled to your feelings, but...

More than likely s/he was asymptomatic and had never developed telltale herpes lesions. It stands to reason; if s/he was unaware of being herpes positive, then s/he cannot be blamed for transmitting the virus.

Besides, when you decided to have sex, you knew that making love with a new partner carried certain risks, so there's no point in feeling angry or harboring resentment.

Face up to it. You have the virus; therefore you must somehow pick up the pieces and learn the ins and outs of living with herpes without shame or feelings of inferiority.

What if you Caught it From Your Spouse?

The worse mistake you could make is to immediately assume that your partner has been unfaithful.

Laboratory tests prove that the virus can lie dormant in the nervous system for years and even decades before erupting for the first time.

What if you were the one who was infected without knowing it?

Besides, even if you did catch it from your spouse, s/he could have contracted the virus long before you met and fell in love.

You are not Alone

Herpes statistics tell us there are at least 45 million Americans out there who have genital herpes. They laugh and cry, they fall in love, they marry and raise families, and they live normal lives.

You can do the same!

Think about this one ... it's an undeniable fact that some of your close friends and family have the disease, not to mention a few of your acquaintances, colleagues or classmates.

On top of that, one out of five people out there, including pop stars, celebrities, beauty queens and politicians are living with herpes right now.

You're not alone and no one's to blame. You're just darn unlucky that you were one of the few who went on to display those horrible symptoms.

There is no Stigma Attached to Living with Herpes

According to the Center for Disease Control, 90% of the people in the United States have herpes of one kind or another.

When all is said and done, herpes is nothing more than a very common skin disorder, and nothing to be ashamed of.

As far as your mental health and self-image are concerned, it's absolutely essential that you understand and accept this emotionally and not just intellectually.

Speak to a Trusted Confidant and join a Herpes Support Group

Your first priority is to unburden yourself.

Speak with someone you can trust as soon as possible. Rant and rave all you want and have a good cry if you must, but get it out of your system... and then ask him or her for a hug.

After that, you will start to make some wonderful friends when you join one of the herpes support groups.

There's an abundance of fellowships ready to welcome you with open arms. What's more, People in the same boat are more than willing to help a fellow sufferer. They will teach you all about effective herpes medications, diet, natural cures for herpes and many, many other ways to cope on a day-to-day basis.

And of course, there are plenty of herpes dating sites out there.

No matter how dark the future looks right now, you will rejoin the mainstream of life and learn how to live with herpes from one day to the next. Before you know it, you will have shed all your feelings of guilt and shame and learned how to hold your head up high.

Does Having herpes make you less Attractive?

Heck no!

So you happen to develop cold sores now and then or occasionally get pimples or blisters down there. So what? Nobody needs to know unless you choose to tell them.

You're still the same person you've always been and you still have the same attractive qualities you've always had. You may have a cute smile, a wonderful sense of humor or dozens of likable traits that you are unaware of. All those qualities that made people like you before you started living with herpes still exist... and they always will.

Can you Still Find Romance?

Absolutely!

As I mentioned, there are some excellent specialized herpes dating services out there. However, if you happen to meet a herpes free person that you share mutual romantic feelings with, don't jump the gun by rushing into the sexual aspect of your relationship, and for goodness sake, don't blurt out your status too soon.

Be conservative. By the time the correct moment arrives, you will have done your homework and know the best way to explain all the ins and outs of living with herpes to your partner, including all the low-risk ways of having an exciting and fulfilling sex life.

By using the right words and a tactful approach, you'll be surprised how easy it can be for your partner to accept you the way you are and to adjust.

And if they are unwilling to do so, smile and move on... They've just saved you a lot of heartache because they weren't right for you in the first place.

Ian R Kelly draws his ideas both from research and from life's experiences. He has traveled extensively and gained valuable insights through working his way around the world.

The subject of Natural Home Remedies fascinates him. Because of this, he gets a huge kick out of doing in-depth research, and then writing about his findings.

He is a prolific writer and webmaster, currently in the process of designing and developing his own information website:

http://www.home-remedy-site.com/

He also builds historic man-o-war tall ship models for fun and profit. You can view his latest project at:

http://modelshipbuilder.blogspot.com/