Question:
I went to the doctor's today because I have 3 sores in the genital region. She said she never says yes or no until the test results come back, but she said it looked like the 'typical' herpes lesions. I am scared to death. I am wondering what has happened to my life... I am a smart, well educated girl. I have done things in the past that I know I shoudln't have done...and now I am paying for it. I had a short (very short) fling with someone I met at a bar about a month ago. The condom broke, and I had to get emergency contraception. I didn't even think about STDs...though I should have. Although, the doctor told me that there is no way to tell if he was the one that gave it to me. It could have been any one of my past sexual partners. I have read that the first outbreak is the worst. So far, my outbreak is not that bad. The lesions are painful, but only if I touch them, or when I urinate. I have also heard that OBs get less frequent with time. I met a guy a week and a half ago, and we've been intimate. I am now scared that I might have given it to him. We've used condoms 100% of the time, but I know that condoms don't protect from herpes..only decrease the risk. I don't exactly remember when the first lesion came out...if it was before or after I met this most recent guy.
I have been so depressed today. I can't help but think that nobody will want me now. If I do have H, I will learn to live with it I suppose. I can't believe this is happening to me. I think I am going to go talk to my sister tomorrow. We are very close, and right now I need someone to talk to. I don't think I can handle it by myself. I so wish I could rewind life and do things differently. I feel like I've disappointed myself and my family. I wasn't raised to bring home guys from the bar. Someone please tell me there is life after H.

Answer:
Your story is painfully familiar to me. When the doctor confirmed my fears, all the same things ran through my head. I noticed my first outbreak about 6 weeks ago, so I can't offer many words of wisdom, but I can tell you you are not alone. In the short time I have been dealing with this, I have read so many accounts that sound similar to my own, and I have taken comfort knowing there are other people going through the same thing. Talk to your sister and anyone else you feel comfortable doing so with, I found that has helped me a lot.

Answer:
Well, I went to my sister's house yesterday and told her. I am so glad I did. She was so supportive and she just hugged me while I cried and got it all out. It was the best thing I could have done. She told me she'd never judge me, and she knew how common H is, and how easily it is spread. She said I can talk to her about it whenever I needed to, and she would always be there for me. I feel SOOOO much better about everything. While this situation still sucks, I feel much better about it knowing that whatever happens she'll be there for me. She is my hero, and I wish everyone had someone like her.