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Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staffFinding out that you have genital herpes may be quite distressing. Among the tumult of emotions, you might feel shock, shame or anger. You may be suspicious or resentful of your partner if you think he or she "gave" you an STD. Or you might be fearful of rejection in your current partner or future partners.
What you're feeling is normal and perfectly valid. But you can cope with your diagnosis of genital herpes in a healthy and effective way. Here's how:
- Communicate with your partner. Be open and honest about your feelings. Trust your partner and believe in what he or she tells you. Don't be too quick to assign blame or accuse.
- Educate yourself. Talk with your doctor or a counselor to learn how to live with the condition and minimize your chances of infecting future partners. Learn about your treatment options so you understand how to best manage outbreaks.
- Join a support group. Look for a group in your area or online so that you can vent feelings and learn from others' experiences.
- Goade D. Genital herpes. In: Cohen J, et al. Infectious Diseases. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: Mosby; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/130330290-4/0/1209/247.html?tocnode=49353813&fromURL=247.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02407-6..50078-7_2618. Accessed April 7, 2009.
- Gupta R, et al. Genital herpes. Lancet. 2007;370:2127.
- Albrecht MA. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of genital herpes simplex virus infection. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 7, 2009.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2006. MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2006;55:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5511a1.htm. Accessed April 8, 2009.
- Xu F, et al. Trends in herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 seroprevalence in the United States. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2006;296:964.
- Wald A. Prevention of genital herpes virus infections. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 7, 2009.
- Genital herpes. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp054.cfm. Accessed April 6, 2009.
