Dating with herpes...how do you do it?

Answer 1

You will need to see your/a doctor and discuss your options or you could go to a free clinic that will have all types of information to help you. You will have this for the rest of your life - there is no cure but they do have medication that can prevent outbreaks. For the safety of any partner from spreading this virus, as it is very contagious, you must always use a condom and inform any partner that you have this before engaging in any type of sexual behaviour.

Answer 2

Dating with herpes can be managed in a number of ways. Some people living with herpes will only date other people with herpes.

Some choose to do so to:

• minimise the spread of the herpes virus
• avoid having the "I have herpes" talk

Each individual's method of dating with herpes depends on how important the above reasons are to them. There are plenty of herpes dating websites available to meet others with herpes. Try entering the words "herpes dating" into your preferred search engine and you will be surprised how many websites dedicated to herpes there actually are to choose from.

Some of them even arrange social events and gatherings. Some sites go beyond the dating aspect and have developed communities and networks that form a superb base of support and advise should you need it.

Please try not to limit yourself to herpes dating websites. If you enter the number 437737 (this number is derived by typing the word herpes into your phone) into non-herpes dating sites search fields you can track down people with herpes on mainstream dating sites too.

Once you have accepted herpes into your life, you may find it easier and less limiting to carry on dating in the same manner you did before you had herpes. Telling someone you meet that you have herpes can be difficult at first but it does get easier. It also helps filter out the more appropriate potential partners.

Dating with herpes is not set out in stone and you must choose the path that suits you best. One thing to remember is that herpes does not define you and that contracting herpes is not the end of your life. In fact, it can be a whole new beginning.