All these shared experiences about living with STDs were contributed by real people. We hope to help you gain the confidence you need to manage STDs in your daily life.
Many people find comfort learning that others have similar experiences, especially when newly diagnosed. Inspire and help others by sharing your story! You can do it anonymously.
I got it in my twenties, I think it was easier cause I didn't know any better, "how bad it was suppose to be."
But it was literally, "my whole life changed in one day", because how I had to approach life, NOW, changed.
Such and such, bicycle seat.
We all have similar experiences and stories with a constant reminder that this will be you forever but it certainly doesn’t define you!
Therefore, continue to live like you did prior to this ordeal. Have fun, laugh, love ,forgive and promise yourself you won’t create the pain, anger, turmoil, trauma, disappointment…and helplessness you may have experienced. Informing your close intimate partner of your situation prior to any form of intimacy, practicing safe sex, getting health exams and screenings are what responsible adults do.
I say this condition has made me a better also because of the people I have met in my quest to finding my best friend, partner,lover and soulmate. I have met some intrinsically and extrinsically incredibly beautiful amazing women who help shape the man I am today and I’m blessed to have had those encounters. I’ve learned so much about myself and what makes a woman a woman.
Although I haven’t found my best friend, partner,lover and soulmate I remain optimistic that one day it’s going to happen because I trust God!
So to you ladies out there “ don’t give up don’t ever give up “!!!
Like so many others this condition has changed my entire life but it didn’t change the person I have always been. Of course it was traumatizing particularly when I first learned I contracted something I didn’t bargain for. I’m not angry , bitter nor do I despise the person I contracted it from even though I feel confident that she knew she had it but never revealed it to me. I believe she felt bad about what she did because it was a reminder of the trauma she felt when she learned that like me someone she trusted changed her life forever. To be honest after my pity party I felt sorry for her because her shame and pain were evident when she disappeared and wouldn’t answer my calls, emails or text messages. I merely wanted to share with her my situation because after learning about the condition we all have I didn’t know if I was perpetrator or the victim. Not being able to share with her our situation frustrated me more than actually contacting HVS because from her actions I felt she was experiencing a deeper hurt and disappointment than me. I believe that because we had been dating for approximately six months and every time we were intimate I used protection except the last two times prior to me learning about contracting it because I felt she was the one and I felt she felt the same exact way. During the six months we were together there definitely was no infidelity on my part and I don’t believe it was on hers as well. Nevertheless, the entire situation changed my life and made me a better more sympathetic and compassionate person while strengthening the empathy I already possessed.
We all have similar experiences and stories with a constant reminder that this will be with you forever but it certainly doesn’t define you!
Therefore, continue to live like you did prior to this ordeal. Have fun, laugh, love ,forgive and promise yourself you won’t create the pain, anger, turmoil, trauma, disappointment…and helplessness you may have experienced.
it's now 6yrs when I diagnosed . that comes when I goes to hospital for antenatal check up I felt like am fished for some good 3 months . later I remember am pregnant. and I didn't want to do abortion for my baby so I had bleve and be strong for my life thank God I gave birth a health and negative baby boy .so I had to start a new life with HIV en am doing well up to now . buh the father disappeared from then have been lonely for all long I take care of myself and God is on my side . so let's bleve it happened all we need is to take heart ,eat well and to avoid stress and give groly to God . all those a side ! if someone comes to you with true love give chance to that person.i know some of us we are here for true love
Got involved with a real psycho. She didn't tell me she had herpes. Also stole my identity and bought a bunch of cell phones and other things in my name. I was young and to trusting at the time. Shame on me I guess. Some terrible poeple out there.
When Mia was diagnosed with herpes at 22, shame wrapped around her like a shadow. She canceled dates, fearing rejection. One evening, her grandmother—a polio survivor—placed weathered hands over hers and said, "Bodies carry stories, not stains."
At a support group, Mia met others thriving despite the virus: a nurse educating patients, an artist turning stigma into bold paintings. Slowly, she began sharing her truth. To her surprise, her closest friends rallied around her. "You’re still you," they insisted.
Years later, Mia now volunteers at a clinic, comforting newly diagnosed patients. "Herpes doesn’t define your worth," she whispers, handing them tea. "Your resilience does."
Moral: A diagnosis may change your body, but never your humanity. Courage grows when we turn our wounds into wisdom.
When I told my boyfriend about my HPV, he said, ‘We’ll handle it together.’ His love during my cervical treatments made me realize: the right person sees you, not your status. Now, I feel very lucky to have met him and healed it
I barely did it in 8 years now. Great intro I know great life. I know about 4 years ago. First time and 4 years at that point that I was actually interested in someone we talked like constantly. She had a boyfriend, a toxic relationship. She claimed I decided what else am I doing? I might as well at least attempt A Convince her not gonna make or cheat for what it's worth. Even when we finally hung out after 2 months, and I told her all my story of a long-drawn-out 10 year marriage, polygamy and jealousy and all sorts of issues, uh I was the one who was jealous. And then my wife was when we finally, and I do mean, finally, after 5 years dated someone else. Where I actually enjoyed the other person, because their genitalia wasn't the same as mine.... Well, the girl I would learn that I have herpes the first time that we finally hung out and she was really wanting to have sex like whoa, and I really want to have sex my God, I used to have sex every single night. If I could help it, man, that was a long time ago. Anyway, I was a good boy and told her What was going on and then she told me she had hpv. For that matter, it's interesting. 2 years prior she lost a boyfriend in a car accident that she was also in. So I felt really bad for her. There's a lot of dynamic to anyone's story, and I'm not just some piece of s*** who sleeps with anyone. I felt bad for her or if anything it took me a long time to get over her because of that. In other words, empathy is really not that great. Actually, it really just makes you suffer just like love makes you suffer.
Lived with HIV since 1999(after I broke my virginity)
Broke my virginity and got HIV in return
I got infected when ARVs were NOT introduced in my country and I survived
Officially tested positive in 2001
Started ARVs in 2009
Shared my HIV status publicly in 2018
Got an undetectable viral load since 2010 until up to date
NEVER defaulted my ARVs/or check-ups
Never had multiple of concurrent relationships
I was sleeping with him alone for over 17years until we divorced
I never drunk alcohol nor smoke
Never do partyings
But one mistake that I neglected condom use when I was breaking my virginity gave me HIV
I have been living with HIV for over 25years now
I am single and looking for the love of my entire life
I am so proud that I never shared my HIV virus with anyone
I am living a positive life with a bright future because I am greater than HIV
HIV does not define me
I am controlling HIV and it is just the virus living in me...
My name is Boikobo Bee Kenosi,a mother of 2beautiful grown up kids and I am a beautiful story...
You can make a difference, let us work together and stop new infections...
Together we can,condomise,drink wise,drive safely and test together as a couple and say NO to stigma and discrimination. If you are NOT infected, you are affected!
I love you all
its crazy how life work never thought i would have this condition but cant do nothing but live with it i know its something big plan for me so i dont try to live in regret its not the end of the world
i had no clue that i had until i got tested the person i eas dating never told me nothing i just try to stay focus and dont let it brung me down i know one day ill get to be happy again i dont worry about people accepting me because i know god do
getting the news wasnt best feeling but living with it i gain the knowledge to know its not all that bad i wont let no one talk down on my health we are all human and go through things if you have faith god should have your back
I was diagnosed in 2016 and I must admit I am still angry but not so much now. I didn't know I had it because I didn't have any known visible symptoms that people say you have. If I ever had an outbreak I would not know what it is. Since being diagnosed I have not been sexually active for personal reasons. When I knew about it,it kinda turned me off when it came to intimacy. Being celibate for soo long has become part of me and I am afraid to say I am used to it. Sex is not a bad thing definitely but for me since knowing about it I somehow don't feel comfortable with ever having sex again as of now. Maybe my outlook will change, for now I am okay with doing nothing. I have work and hobbies that keep me occupied.
I learnt about my HIV status at 24yrs, I was married and my husband tested Hiv negative! He abandoned me and all my in-laws stigmatized and discriminated me! I did not give up on myself, I continued to live a positive life!
Living with HIV is hard enough without someone to share life with , all the ups and downs .Finding that special someone when you are HIV+ is tough, do you just date other positive people to you put on your big girl panties lol or big boy boxers and tell someone you like about your status and hope for the best. Love is a wonderful thing to have, feel and experience, to be loved oh to be loved , I live in HOPE that one day real love will come my way ❤️
Dating in general is hard these days but I feek like dating with this makes things even harder. I met a guy and like him a lot and could see a future with him (he was my dream guy) but when I told him what I had he stopped talking to me. And maybe I told him too soon but didnt want to get more invested than I already was if we werent going to go anywhere. But is it ever really the right time to tell someone? I was devastated and still am. It didnt make me stop living my life though. I am happy to say that I am currently in school pursuing my Masters Degree.
getting the news hurt me cause i always wanted the perfect health and messed up people will laydown with you knowing somthing is wrong with them but it is what it is god is always working and i know he got my back thru whatever
getting the news hurt me cause i always wanted the perfect health and messed up people will laydown with you knowing somthing is wrong with them but it is what it is god is always working and i know he got my back thru whatever
I was with my bf for 3.5 years. I was expecting our baby boy. he gave me herpes and chylamdia while pregnant. i had no clue, i gave birth thank God protecting my baby i had a c section. Not only is he controlling and abusive but a cheater. Im lucky my baby didnt get it.
I was about 19 and it was my first year at college. I had never had an STI before and had never had unprotected sex. At the time, we didn’t think of it as being a cold sore and assumed it was just a spot. We had oral sex and that must have been how I got herpes