Life Goes On - 17-year-old girl that has just been diagnosed with genital herpes

Support from her family and partner make Jessica realise that Life Goes On!

Hi, my name's Jessica*. I am a 17-year-old girl that has just been diagnosed with genital herpes. I do not, consider myself promiscuous as I have only ever had one partner and he's the one I caught it from. I had always heard about STDs but I was never really interested in them or found out much about them as I thought I would never get one. I always thought that it would be the girls in school who were rumoured to have slept around who would get it. Not me...well that was then.

The guy I have been with had been with 15 partners, but he has had 3 tests for genital herpes and he said the results were negative. About 4 months ago we broke up after 9 months together. We stayed friends and he told me about a girl he liked. He later told me that they had had sex twice. I knew about this girl's reputation and it wasn't good so at the time I warned him about her. So when decided to get back together again last month, he had another test which of course came out negative, but I was still a little unsure.

About 2 weeks ago I started to develop blisters around my genitals and it burnt so badly when I passed urine I had to hold going to the bathroom for a day and a half. I finally went to the doctor and he explained to me what I had. I thought I was going to pass out! I had to tell my parents, but to my surprise they were really supportive. Yeah, they were a little aggravated about how I caught it, but my mother is now getting as much information as she can to help me and every day my father still tells me that I am his little princess.

When I phoned my boyfriend to tell him he was really mad, but as soon as I went to see him he just ran up to me and held me for what seemed to be forever. He cried with me when I was feeling down, but we have both made a pact that we can fight it together. Even though there is no cure there is always a chance that we can be healed. Even though I am new at this it makes me really realize what I took for granted. My outlook on life it so much better now and I am more fit and healthy than I ever was. People need to stop being so negative about this disease, and remember LIFE GOES ON!

*Jessica's name has been changed, to protect her privacy.

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.au

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