hi everyone, around a week ago i experienced fever and some soreness around my body, followed by pain and pressure in my rectum the following day. CityMD decided to run STD tests, including a herpes swab on the one (1) sore i have in the area and it came back positive for HSV-2 today. i have 10 days worth of valacyclovir but im trying to get more in order to use it as suppression therapy.

since then i have been feeling extremely gross and shameful. although i know that since i am sexually active it was inevitable, i regret sleeping with the guy who gave it to me. i am also anxious about what is to come, not being able to know what my body will do next is driving me a little crazy. there is also the fact that it is something i have to deal with for the rest of my life. since i am only 23, i can’t even think that far ahead.

there is of course the dating/hookup part too. i feel like no one will ever want to be with me again and i fear transmitting it to others. a lot of the things i have found about HSV are related to straight people, so i am curious about the gay community’s thoughts about HSV given how prevalent and common it is. if anyone has a similar experience it would also be helpful to hear how you deal with it on the day to day. Thanks!