Blondy
First of all.... don't be scared. I have herpes and when first found out I thought it would ruin my life. It is an issue that is difficult to deal with but ...personally after knowing about myself for almost a year now. I have learned to accept it. I am female and I have found most men and women are pretty accepting of it. So many people have it, they are now making commercials for Valtrax. There are only 2 for sure way to tell if you have it. Have a blood test done or wait until you have an outbreak and have the sore tested immediatly. Your first outbreak is usually the worst one of them all (not always) and they can look like little red bumps. For me it was more the name itself. HERPES... ewwww.. Just the thought of the name and or saying it makes me cringe still. What your really dealing with here is nothing more then a simple cold sore. Millions of people get them on there lips all the time, our only difference is where on the body we get them. If your worried about telling someone, ie a partner, yes that can be very scarey but just take it one day at a time and don't rush to tell someone. Talk to a close friend or relative that you know will not judge you. Most of my friends know and I have had a few partners who I have had to tell before the relationship got sexual and so far I have not had one person make me feel like I am any less of a person or that it was even a big deal. I even had a few people say .... Ya and ... so what, that isn't a big deal at all. If you have it, it isn't the end of the world and you will learn to accept it as you would a scar or the loss of a toe. You have to deal with it and you will accept it, eventually. I hope that I helped you just a little. blondy