Healthy and Happy

About 10 months ago, I was diagnosed with what a Nurse Practitioner thought was Genital Warts, which is a strain of HPV, the most widespread STI there is. It’s almost an epidemic. I was never convinced because I didn't have the typical symptoms.


I developed an infection near the opening of my vagina which a General Practitioner diagnosed as a Bartholin's abscess. It seemed to take a while to clear up while being on the antibiotics and was very painful even to sit.

Recently I developed something that looked and felt quite similar and I went back to the walk-in, this time seeing a different GP. He took a swab and a couple of weeks later I got a call from his receptionist informing me that I have herpes. Not a nice way to find out.

I believe that since I had already been hit with the news of having HPV that it numbed me to the diagnosis of Genital Herpes.

I am in a long term relationship with a wonderful man who I am blessed everyday to be with. He stated that it was no big deal and that there was no reason for me to be upset. He still makes love to me as if nothing has changed.

I was able to carry on with my life as if I were normal and continue to be successful in my position at work which requires the utmost self confidence and the ability to have meaningful conversations with people without being distracted by my personal life.

I've only had 3 outbreaks in 10 months and they have all cleared up in 2 weeks or less without the assistance of antivirals. I eat a healthy diet, take a multivitamin regularly along with some immune support. I exercise regularly and try to live as stress free as I possibly can.

Just remember that 1 out of every 6 people has herpes. There are worse things to be had out there. This has been a very humbling experience and I will never pass judgement on anyone for being unlucky enough to end up in the oncoming path of an STD. My future children will learn from my mistakes.

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