“So in 2014, I’ve been diagnosed with genital herpes.

I had to learn to date again. I had to play with when and how to break the news to people I was interested in. I experimented with telling them too early and I accidentally told people too late.

The STD made me feel physically uncomfortable during breakouts, which occurred when I was stressed...but more so mentally uncomfortable. I was more obsessive with the fact that I passed this on to someone without knowing and I felt that I wasn’t put on this earth to harm anyone, that’s how I discovered it. Like I mentioned, properly dating seemed like so much pressure when all in all I wanted to hide it away with medicine like a dirty secret. I didn’t feel dirty until I anticipated a response from someone. I hated having to disclose this or even deal with this.

It wasn’t until I grew confidence in the research. The research states that so many people have this STD! It's common! Whether it be active or dormant...I accepted that I’m now part of this  club...and it is what it is. Add this to the fun facts of Amira Bryant.”