Question:
I had symptoms for almost a week that I thought was a yeast infection. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with a bacterial infection, and was put on anti-biotics for two weeks. At the end of the two weeks, my so called infection had gotten so bad that it would burn every time I peed. I had so much pain from the tiny little sores that had started that I would wait until the last possible minute to go to the bathroom because it hurt so bad. The night I found out, I was so scared and sick. I remember just crying and crying because I had so much pain, and even worse, I had a very bad feeling that what I had was much worse than some bacterial infection. My boyfriend drove me to the emergency room because it was so bad. I will never forget throwing up on the way to the hospital....luckily I had my boyfriend with me. He was what got me through this entire mess. After laying on the hospital stretcher, and having a really extremely rude doctor take one look at me and tell me and my boyfriend that I had herpes, I seriously felt so numb. I just couldn't even believe that my life could turn out this way. I will never forget laying in the bed with my boyfriend by my side, holding my hand, and the two of us just crying and crying and crying.

The few months after I found out, I was really depressed. I felt very disgusting for a long time. I felt like even though no one else knew what I had, I was so afraid that people could just tell that I was different some how. I read statistics on herpes, and how common it really is, but it's different when you don't know anyone else that actually has it. My boyfriend has never had a symptom, or has been tested. He has been so great in sticking by my side and helping me realize that Im no different than I was before. It has been hard getting used to knowing that I have something that could have come from one of my previous partners, or one of his and is just lying dormant in his body at this point. At this point, it doesnt really matter where it came from because I have it, and there is no changing that. I have enjoyed reading through the posts on here. It's nice to hear that other people really did go through this too, that Im not alone. Even though I read the statistics, it is sometimes hard to believe other people go through it too, or have gone through it, when I haven't told anyone. Maybe someday I will be able to tell my very close friends, maybe not. Either way, this is what I have and I have to always remember that life continues the same. I can't let it rule my life, or let it rule me. I have this virus, this virus doesn't have me.

Answer:
You've got a great attitude. I'm sorry you were misdiagnosed and your OB was so awful, but it sounds like you're dealing with it very welll, and having an understanding BF is so special. Welcome to the forum.

Answer:
I was in the same boat. I got the virus from my boyfriend. He has never had an ob. The virus was internal (active but not visable). I too had the painfull peeing and I was praying to God that it was just a bad infection of some kind.

I was in shock as well when I first found out I had herpes. I was living away from home, out of my element and I didn't know who to turn to. I was scared to tell my new partner at first so I was lucky enough to have a close friend come to the doctors with me. She knew something was up with me the minute she saw me a few days after the first signs of my first ob.

But like you said " I have herpes but herpes doesn't have me!"

It was a hard thing to go through at first but with the support I had from my friends and my new partner I feel like I skipped the blame and guilt part people new to Herpes often go through. My partner was devistated that he passed it to me. But we were both at fault for not wearing protection, but the way that my partner handled the situation and showed me nothing but love and support made me fall in love with him that much more. It was his time to show his true colours. To this day we love and trust each other so much. Because of all this we are that much closer and are still very much in love. So remember, there is life after herpes. Herpes doesn't have to control your life, you can control herpes!