I want to offer an ear and a source for those who have questions.
I was in a committed (I thought) long distance relationship for three years. I loved this man hard, like I hadn't loved since I was a girl.
I should have seen the writing on the wall. I didn't and I learned some very hard lessons because of that.
I was given two STD's by him. HPV, one of the strains that can cause genital warts. I got a few and had them immediately treated by my doctor. They haven't been an issue at all in 3.5 years. And my PAP's test clear now. It took 2.5 years for my body to process the HPV and lock it down. I will always consider myself a carrier though. (BTW this is not one you can be vaccinated against) (And several doctors told me that I do not have to disclose this to sexual partners. As everyone has been exposed to a strain at some point. And not everyone has a reaction to it.) (However I chose to give full disclosure as I didn't get to choose it myself. And I don't want someone ending up without knowledge first hand from me.)
This same man was spending Father's Day weekend with me and we were trying for a baby. Within 12 hours of our last sexual encounter I became very physically sick. I was extremely sick with a sky rocketing fever. No one knew what it was until over a week later. I was on antibiotics, then ended up in the the ER with super antibiotics injected into me, all to do nothing for me. As I got sicker. I noticed tiny little painful bumps and went to a different doctor, that told me. "No. This is nothing. Just a reaction from waxing. Or fever blisters."
I kept getting sicker and despersately looking for relief and answers. I figured it out on my own and had my OBGyn confirm with testing that I had in fact been given HSV2 aka genital herpes.
I've had it for three years now. I've been thru the full range of emotions involved in this. From complete and utter horror, feeling like my life was over and I'd never date again. To finding a site for other people like me. To give full disclosure and be upfront, while also being able to date people that have it as well. (And then I had to go and throw in the wrench of needing a Dom, on top of that. Nothing about me is easy, lol.)
Now I've come full circle with accepting that it's a part of me, whether I wanted it or not. I've now been with three men who did not have HSV2, knew I had it and took the risk anyway. And all three have walked away without getting it. (This is not a guarantee. Which is why I give full up-front disclosure to potential partners from the beginning. It's even in my profile that I have an incurable STD.)
I just wanted to be a source that can answer questions or be a source of comfort for someone else who's having to go thru this. I'm also willing to answer general questions of curiosity. Knowledge is power. And I'm happy to share what I've learned.
I want to make it clear that I'm not a casual sleep around woman. I got this from a partner that I was devoutly committed to for three years. I have no problem with people that sleep around, that's totally their choice. No judgement from me. I just wanted to be clear that crappy things happen to good people sometimes. I just want to offer what I can to whoever wants it.
