I was just diagnosed with two viruses hep c and genital herpes, here's the catch-- I haven't had sex in over 8 years and all of a sudden these viruses manifested themselves. I am terrified... I have some follow up visits for both viruses at the end of the month and May 15th. I am afraid to associate with ANYONE -- I have an active outbreak of Herpes at this time. I feel like I have the cooties and am disgusted with mmyself-- can anyone relate??? : :confused:

Hi Rjrnite,

Welcome to the "H" club...I was diagnosed with Herpes after my first sexual experience and I was 16. I was so young and nothing was done about it and I completely forgot about it until I was about 24. I happened to be on a long distance telephone conversation with my mother and asked her if she had ever heard of the dreaded Herpes virus in which she replied "Yes, you have it." Well....I completely denied it so she had to jog my memory of doctor visit eight years prior. Diagnosis Genital Herpes. I didn't know cause I never had another breakout. They were always very minor, and usually around menses and it was just a spot that felt a bit sore. So WHO KNEW? Obviously not I. Then a funny thing happened to my 80 year old step-father who hasn't had sex in 30 years. He was diagnosed a year ago with it. So...That little virus can do a great job of hiding and popping out when you least expect it. I'd say we are the lucky ones. Some people get horrible breakouts.

I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C about 4 years ago and found this board almost immediately. It was my saving grace. Or should I say Thanbey was my saving grace. She is so knowledgeable and so kind without being a namby pamby tell you only what you wanna hear kind of gal.

Don't panic...Yeah right...I know...Easy for me to say, right? Well, I mean it. I believe I've had the Hep C virus, genotype 1a for about 25 years or more. I didn't pass it on to my three children and I breast fed, shared razors, etc... All of my bloodwork (Liver Function Tests) have always been normal and when I got my Biopsy (bx) It showed a zero for liver damage (fibrosis). So...Don't consider this a death sentence. You don't even know if you might have cleared the virus on your own. Get all the bloodwork done and most importantly no matter what anybody says GET A BIOPSY! That's your starting point. Oh...and for the time being until you know what's up only tell your closest friends and family members that you can trust not to make flames under their feet in the opposite direction when you tell them. Some people get very strange when you fess up.

You take care and keep your chin up and keep coming back!
DD from So Cal