When I first received my HSV-2 diagnosis, my world came crashing down. Hi, my name is Latina98x. I’m a 24-year-old Aussie South American woman who has been living with HSV-2 (herpes simplex virus type 2) for four years. On the outside, I might seem like someone who has it all together—a decent 8/10 in looks, an active lifestyle, and a charming personality. But beneath the surface, I’ve faced some of the toughest battles that life can throw at you.

Living with bipolar disorder has been a challenge in itself, with its ups and downs, but adding the stigma of an HSV-2 diagnosis made it feel insurmountable at first. Between managing my mental health and coming to terms with a condition that society often misunderstands, I’ve been through moments of despair I never thought I’d overcome. Yet here I am, sharing my story in the hope that it helps someone else feel less alone.

This journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s taught me resilience, self-acceptance, and the importance of not letting a diagnosis define who you are. Let me take you through my story—the highs, the lows, and everything in between.

## **How Did You Discover You Had HSV-2, and What Was Your Initial Reaction?**

For months, I lived in denial. I started experiencing symptoms that wouldn’t go away—constant outbreaks that felt like thrush or bacterial vaginosis (BV). No matter how many antibiotics I tried, the symptoms persisted. Deep down, I suspected it might be something more serious, but I was too afraid to find out. The fear of a diagnosis paralyzed me, and I kept putting off going to the doctor. It took me six long months to gather the courage to get tested.

When the results finally came back and confirmed HSV-2, I was devastated. It felt like my world had crumbled around me. I thought my life was over, and the weight of the stigma hit me like a ton of bricks. Living with bipolar disorder, I was already navigating a constant battle with my mental health, and this news pushed me to my breaking point.

The pain and shame became unbearable, and during that first year, I attempted to take my own life. I overdosed on my medication, Seroquel, and ended up in the hospital. At that moment, all I could feel was despair, believing that this diagnosis would forever define me.

## **What Were Some of the Biggest Challenges You Faced Emotionally and Mentally During Your First Year of Diagnosis?**

The first year after my diagnosis was an emotional rollercoaster. One of the hardest things to deal with was the stigma. I constantly worried about how I would disclose my status to others. Questions haunted me: Would anyone accept me? Would this diagnosis mean I’d never have a chance at love or intimacy? The fear of rejection loomed over me, and it felt like a heavy burden I couldn’t shake.

The physical pain didn’t make it any easier. The outbreaks were relentless and excruciating, and every time they flared up, it felt like a reminder of my diagnosis. The pain wasn’t just physical—it seeped into my mental health as well. Living with bipolar disorder, I was already juggling the highs and lows of my emotions. The outbreaks intensified my depression and anxiety, making it harder to stay grounded.

I was also consumed by thoughts of loneliness. Before my diagnosis, I had been single my entire life. At 24, when I finally entered my first relationship with someone who was also HSV-2 positive, it was a bittersweet moment. On one hand, I felt a sense of connection, but on the other, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my worth was diminished because of my diagnosis. Even though I considered myself attractive, I struggled with the thought that I had nothing else to offer.

## **You Mentioned Struggling with Mental Health Issues and Even Attempting Suicide—How Did You Find the Strength to Overcome That Dark Period?**

The darkness I faced after my diagnosis felt unbearable. I was already dealing with bipolar disorder, and the added weight of my HSV-2 diagnosis pushed me to a place I never thought I’d go. After my suicide attempt, I was put on a new medication, olanzapine, to replace the Seroquel I had been taking. The change helped stabilize my moods, but it came with its own challenges—it caused significant weight gain, which added to my struggles with self-esteem.

Despite the challenges, I knew I had to do something to reclaim my life. One day, I decided to take a chance and download Bumble. I’ve always hated Tinder, but Bumble felt different—like a place where I could ease into dating on my terms. At first, I was terrified, but I made a promise to myself to practice disclosing my status. Each time I told someone, it became a little easier.

Over time, disclosing became less scary, except in situations where I feared it could affect my privacy, especially with people who knew the same circles I did. Protecting my privacy was—and still is—important to me, but I realized I couldn’t let fear control my life anymore. Little by little, I started to find the strength to move forward.

## **What Role Has Your Bipolar Diagnosis Played in Your Journey With HSV-2? Have the Two Conditions Affected Each Other?**

Honestly, I’m not entirely sure how much my bipolar diagnosis has played a role in my journey with HSV-2. What I do know is that in my first year after being diagnosed, it felt like everything was connected. The emotional weight of dealing with both conditions became too much to bear at times, and it led me to a very dark place where I tried to take my own life.

Back then, the outbreaks didn’t just affect me physically—they made me feel even more depressed. The constant flare-ups were like a painful reminder of everything I was going through. Now, though, things have changed. The outbreaks still frustrate me, but they don’t hit me emotionally the way they used to. I guess I’ve learned to live with the irritation instead of letting it drag me down like before.

## **How Did You Approach the Idea of Disclosing Your Status to Potential Partners, and What Strategies Worked Best for You?**

At first, the thought of disclosing my status felt impossible. I truly felt trapped, isolating myself and avoiding any situations where I might have to bring it up. The idea of telling someone was terrifying, but at the same time, I knew I couldn’t sleep with someone without being honest. It’s just not who I am. Keeping it a secret was never an option for me—I felt like I owed it to myself and the other person to be upfront.

Eventually, I reached a point where I realized I had to try, even if I risked rejection. If I didn’t take that chance, I’d never know if people could accept me for who I am. Over the past four years (almost five now, as of February 2025), I’ve only been rejected three or four times. I think being a woman and having decent looks definitely helped.

When it comes to disclosing, I’ve found a straightforward approach works best. If it’s after a date or right before anything happens, I’ll say something like, “Hey, look, I’ve had HSV-2 for four years. It’s no big deal for me—I take antivirals daily and have never passed it on. I just thought I’d let you know.” Keeping it simple and honest has made it easier to navigate these conversations, and most people have been more understanding than I expected.

## **What Gave You the Confidence to Disclose, Even After Experiencing Rejection in the Past?**

What gave me the confidence to keep disclosing, even after being rejected a few times, was focusing on the positive outcomes. Honestly, I’ve had far more positive experiences with disclosure than negative ones. That’s what keeps me going. I remind myself that the majority of people I’ve told have either accepted it or handled the conversation with understanding.

I also try to put myself in their shoes. If the roles were reversed and someone disclosed their status to me, I’d appreciate their honesty. Even if I decided not to pursue things further, I’d thank them for being upfront about it. Thinking about it this way has helped me stay grounded and not take rejection so personally. It’s not always easy, but remembering that honesty is a strength has been key to building my confidence.

## **You Mentioned That Some People Fetishized Your Ethnicity—How Did That Make You Feel, and How Did It Impact Your Dating Experiences?**

To be honest, it actually makes me feel good about myself. I used to have pretty low self-esteem, especially before I had some work done and gained confidence in how I looked. Growing up, I struggled with feeling like I wasn’t enough, but now, seeing how people respond to me has definitely boosted my confidence.

It hasn’t really had a negative impact on my dating experiences, though. If anything, it’s opened some unexpected doors. This year alone, I’ve made about $2,500 just from men on social media who are into Latinas. I have an average following, but I guess some guys are really drawn to my ethnicity. One guy even paid for my lash extensions and gave me $400 just to hang out with him! It’s honestly helped me out a lot, especially with how things are in the economy right now.

I guess every guy has a type, and for some, South American women are their dream. My last boyfriend even said that his dream girl was a South American. Haha.

## **Could You Describe How the Outbreaks Have Physically Impacted Your Daily Life, Especially During Long-Lasting Ones Like the Current Outbreak Since August?**

In the beginning, the outbreaks were absolutely debilitating. During my first year, they were relentless, often flaring up around my monthly cycle. Every time I had my period, I’d deal with painful, irritating symptoms that made even basic movements difficult. It wasn’t just physically exhausting; it wore me down mentally as well. Thankfully, after about two years, my body seemed to adjust, and the outbreaks tied to my cycle stopped happening.

But the current outbreak I’ve been dealing with since August has been one of the worst. It’s been constant, painful, and incredibly frustrating. I’m pretty sure it was triggered after I slept with my ex, who is also HSV-2 positive, and maybe even worsened by the weight-loss medication Wegovy that I’ve been taking. No matter the cause, this outbreak has been a nightmare.

The pain is so bad some days that I can barely move. It feels like there’s no relief in sight, and I’ve tried everything I can think of. It’s moments like these that make it hard to stay positive, especially since this is the longest outbreak I’ve ever had.

## **You Mentioned Wegovy as a Possible Trigger for Your Current Outbreak. Have You Discussed This With a Healthcare Provider, and What Insights Have They Shared?**

No, I haven’t talked to a healthcare provider about it yet. I’m still waiting to see if the outbreak clears up on its own. My plan is to give it until January before reaching out, especially since I’ve cut off contact with my ex, who I believe might have contributed to the outbreak. If things don’t improve by then, I’ll definitely bring it up with a doctor to get some answers.

## **How Do You Handle Feelings of Envy Toward Asymptomatic Individuals? Has It Shaped the Way You View Your Own Journey?**

Honestly, it’s hard not to feel envious of people who are asymptomatic. What bothers me the most is how some of them act like they’re entitled not to disclose their status just because they rarely get outbreaks. It frustrates me because they don’t realize how unpredictable this virus can be. Just because they aren’t having symptoms doesn’t mean they can’t pass it on to someone else, who might end up dealing with severe and constant outbreaks like mine.

These feelings of envy have definitely shaped the way I view my own journey. I’ve learned to focus on being responsible and honest about my status, no matter how difficult it is. It’s not always easy, especially when I think about how much simpler things could be if I didn’t have to worry about outbreaks or disclosing. But at the end of the day, I know that taking responsibility for my health and being open with others is the right thing to do, even if it comes with challenges.

## **Could You Expand on Your Experience With Support Systems, Whether Online, Through Friends, or Family, and How They’ve Helped (or Not Helped)?**

Support systems have been a mixed experience for me. I joined a few Facebook groups for people living with HSV, and they’ve been helpful at times. There was also a Reddit community I used to be part of, but it was deleted at one point and later came back. Unfortunately, I had to remove myself from that group because it felt like everyone was so depressed, and it started to affect me negatively.

When it comes to friends, most of them don’t even know I have HSV-2. Almost all of them have HSV-1, and a couple of them have HSV-2, but I feel like their experiences are so different from mine. HSV-1 doesn’t carry the same stigma, and people tend to brush it off as “just cold sores,” so I didn’t feel comfortable sharing my situation with them.

That said, I’ve found a few meaningful connections through specific platforms. A friend I’ve known since I was a teenager actually found my profile on Positive Singles, a dating app for people with HSV. She was diagnosed in the same year as me, and it was comforting to have someone who truly understood what I was going through. I also made another friend through Positive Singles, and now I’m planning to meet someone I connected with in a Facebook group who shared a similar experience. I reached out to her after she posted about her ex giving her HSV, and we’ve been supporting each other ever since.

As for my family, they haven’t been supportive at all. I had to lie and say that I have HSV-1 because I couldn’t deal with their judgment or lack of understanding. It’s not ideal, but it’s what I’ve had to do to protect myself emotionally.

## **What Advice Would You Give to Someone Newly Diagnosed With HSV-2 Who Might Also Have Pre-Existing Mental Health Challenges?**

If someone is newly diagnosed with HSV-2 and also dealing with mental health challenges, the first thing I’d say is to seek support from a psychologist. Talking to a professional really helped me, and they can also connect you with resources to better understand your diagnosis. In my case, a doctor I was referred to educated me about HSV-2, which helped me feel more in control of the situation.

Another piece of advice I’d give is to find a support system, whether it’s through Facebook groups or connecting with others who understand what you’re going through. Just having people to talk to who truly get it can make a huge difference.

When it comes to dating and putting yourself out there, I’d recommend starting small. Practice disclosing on a platform like Positive Singles. Honestly, it’s not the best dating app out there, but it’s a good place to build confidence and connect with others who share your experience. It’s okay to take your time. What’s most important is coming to terms with your diagnosis at your own pace.

## **Looking Back Over the Past Four Years, How Do You Feel You’ve Grown or Changed as a Person Because of This Experience?**

Looking back over the past four years, I can see how much I’ve grown as a person, even though the journey has been anything but easy. When I was first diagnosed, I was consumed by anger and depression. I felt like my life was over and that I’d never be happy or accepted. I was bitter and even lashed out at a friend who also had HSV, which I now regret. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the virus or how to cope with it, and I was taking out my pain on others.

Since then, I’ve learned so much about myself and about what it means to live with HSV-2. I used to think this diagnosis was a death sentence, but now I realize it’s just one part of who I am. I’ve apologized to people I hurt in the past and made amends where I could, but I’ve also set boundaries with those who didn’t treat me well.

I’ve become more empathetic and understanding, not just toward others but also toward myself. I used to judge myself so harshly, but now I focus on what I can control and try to find moments of joy in the chaos. My relationships have changed, too—I’ve learned to value honesty and connection, and I’m proud of the strength it takes to disclose my status and still put myself out there.

## **If You Could Share One Thing With Someone Who Feels Hopeless About Their Diagnosis, What Would It Be?**

If I could share just one thing with someone who feels hopeless after their HSV-2 diagnosis, it would be this: it’s not the end of the world. I know it feels like everything is crashing down, but you’d be surprised at how many people don’t care about this as much as you think they will. Life doesn’t stop because of this virus, and neither should you.

I’d tell them to focus on building a support system, whether that’s finding a community online, joining a Facebook group, or even trying a dating app like Positive Singles. Having people who understand what you’re going through can make all the difference. You’ll see that you’re not alone, and there’s a whole community of people who can relate to your journey.

Most importantly, don’t let this virus define your life. Keep living, keep pursuing the things that make you happy, and remember that there’s still so much out there for you. You’re stronger than you realize, and with time, you’ll find ways to move forward and embrace life again.

**Also Read: Mary's** [**<u>herpes experience</u>**](https://www.shamelesspath.com/blog/std-stories/reclaiming-my-life-after-genital-herpes)

<p>Facing stigma with bipolar and HSV-2? My journey of self-acceptance and overcoming mental health challenges offers hope and inspiration.</p>

Latina with Bipolar & HSV-2

I faced stigma, mental health battles & an HSV-2 diagnosis, but I refused to let it define me. My journey is one of resilience & self-acceptance. 