All names have been changed, to respect their privacy.

I was diagnosed 2 years ago and it was a very tough journey. My first outbreak was horrendous and I ended up in hospital. I then had to have multiple tests including CT scans, as I still had severe symptoms, like not being able to pee for 2 weeks.

I also felt incredibly alone and I knew NOTHING about herpes. It still blows my mind that we’re not adequately educated about our bodies in school. Even more mind blowing is that there is still such a stigma around herpes. I was lucky that a friend put me onto Bec Antonucci’s page and then I found your page.

Looking back now, I honestly thought my life was over and I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s because of people like yourself and Bec, that the feeling of being alone disappeared. I can honestly say I’ve never been happier than I am now.

I’m pretty open about it now, all of my friends know and I have zero shame, which is something I never thought possible! A close friend of mine was recently diagnosed, and it took her a month to tell me. It has now been 4 months and I’m still the only person she’s told. It breaks my heart that she isn’t in the same place I am. If it wasn’t for me being so open and sharing my diagnosis with my friends, I’d hate to think how alone she would be feeling.