I got HSV-2 after my longtime partner cheated on me, and it’s absolutely miserable. I wouldn’t recommend anyone take it as lightly as some people do. During the first outbreak I couldn’t pee at all because it was blocking my urinary tract, and it felt like I had a horrible flu. I get outbreaks constantly and they’re so painful that it’s hard to sit at my computer at work. The daily pills are massive and give me a stomach ache, and only reduce the frequency of the outbreaks but don’t prevent them entirely.

I never asked for this, I was never promiscuous, I only did not use protection because we were in a monogamous relationship for 4 years. Dating is hard enough because I’m trans and ugly, so I’ve resigned myself to just never having sex again.