Jenny was truly unlucky - Genital Herpes

Jenny was truly unlucky, she found out she had herpes after her first sexual encounter.

Three weeks ago my daughter Jenny had what I thought was the flu. Aches, pains, fever and severe chapped lips. On the second night she tearfully confided to me she had had sex. She also said she had 8 sores on her vagina making it painful to walk, urinate and go to the loo. Jenny had a boyfriend who was well known all the family. When Jenny told me about her symptoms I thought it sounded like she'd contracted herpes, but how could two teenage virgins get herpes?

We sat on the floor, hugged, cried, talked, and ended up hysterically laughing until 2 am, remembering every silly thing that had ever happened to us. We were both pretty nervous. She was afraid I would be mad at her. I was afraid for her health.

The next day we went to the clinic together. She had some tests and was put on acyclovir and Lidocaine for her sores, which had now broken open. She was really sick.

I had to call her school to report that she had flu and wouldn't be in. I keep in close contact with her teachers and I was afraid they would ask what was wrong and I didn't want to tell them she had herpes.

My daughter was feeling so sick my biggest concern was making her feel better. I was not happy she had had sex, but less happy she had contracted herpes. I admit I was worried about the social stigma of herpes - something I once considered a "dirty disease". I looked on the internet for information and found the IHA website and Catherine's ask the nurse service. She was absolutely wonderful. I e-mailed her and she replied quickly and I could tell that she cared. I had no-one else to talk to and she was just wonderful, I can't thank her enough.

Jenny's tests came back as herpes simplex type 1 for which we were thankful. We'd been told that type 1 is usually less severe and causes less frequent recurrences than type 2. I had learned a lot about herpes during that 3 weeks and I can really sympathise with anyone who is unlucky enough to become infected. I really never knew how severe the symptoms could be, how it only takes one time and that anyone is at risk. We chose suppressive antiviral therapy until the summer vacation. We've been told that Jenny may have another episode when she stops the medication.

It's been tough for both of us. I admit I worry about the social stigma. It has been a fine line telling her not to be ashamed of having herpes, yet not telling everyone. Recently I overheard Jenny telling a friend she takes pills because she has herpes. I am glad my daughter is not ashamed and is trying to educate her friends, but I still worry how some people will react.... I used to be one of those people. Jenny's boyfriend was a virgin too. He suffers from frequent cold sores and had seen a doctor who gave him a clean bill of health besides the cold sores being caused by herpes simplex type 1. Jenny's herpes was a result of cross-infection from the cold sores.

National Herpes Day is being held on the 13th October, with the focus on genital herpes

For accurate, up-to-date information, education and support on herpes, contact the Australian Herpes Management Forum (AHMF) on 02 8230 3843 . www.ahmf.com.auRelated articles:
www.girl.com.au/herpes_jenny.htm
www.girl.com.au\herpes-forever.htm