“When I received my diagnosis I was heart broken. I felt like everything I thought my life would be was changed and I started to think of myself as untouchable. In the year before I contracted herpes I became much more in touch with my body and my sexuality. I felt more open and comfortable with myself, but when I got herpes all of that changed. I felt ashamed of my sexuality and I felt I was being punished for it. I always thought of myself as a good girl and I started thinking of myself as dirty. As time as passed since my diagnosis I have started to feel more comfortable in my own skin again. I still deal with shame and battle with my own thoughts of being untouchable, but I’m starting to love my body again. I have become physically and mentally stronger since my diagnosis. I keep reminding myself that herpes is just a skin condition and it says nothing about my character. Getting past the stigma has been more of a challenge than I could have imagined but I’m starting to take back my sexuality and pride in my body.“