#gentialhsv

[thefallfromgrace]

STD Testing is not for EVERYTHING

People always say get tested for STDs, but they don't know that Herpes is not including in any STD testing. If you walk into a clinic right now and say I want to get tested for STDs, you'll get tested for the main ones like gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, and HIV. But Herpes is not including in any standard STD testing because it's so common and it would be hard to pin point where it would be if you never had an outbreak. If you actually wanted to get tested for Herpes, you would have to request it.

Safe sex is great sex, but condoms can't stop everything. Everyone thinks that oral sex is the loop hole for sex, but you can still get STDs. Trust me... I'm just another girl living with Herpes that I contracted through oral sex. I wasn't aware that the other person had it, there were no visible signs. Hell, afterwards they denied ever having any type of Herpes or STDs (and quote "on my momma"). Before having it, I didn't even know it could be transferred like that. I used to be ignorant as many still are, but all I can do is share my knowledge with others in hopes that they'll learn acceptance, tolerance, and awareness.

Peace, love, and hair grease. ✌️💞☮️

[thefallfromgrace]

Views from the top

Most of my life, I considered myself to be just like everyone else. I was normal, I was healthy, I was naive. As I matured and gained different vanish points on how society truly is, I began to see stigmas in various contexts. Not only because of my skin, or my gender... but because of my disease. 

I am one of the millions who have herpes (this includes hsv1, hsv2,  varicella-zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and others). This new found discrimination isn’t easily seen but has a horrible stigma attached. Being a person with genital herpes can be seen as mark of disgrace associated with this particular circumstance. 

Cold sores are seen as insignificant by many, as it dominates modern culture. Chicken pox is just a child hood infection. Shingles are deadly and prone to older age. Mono is the kissing disease. These are widely accepted in society, but genital herpes (hsv1, hsv2) is taboo. 

Genital herpes is understood to be a punishment, or something you ‘bring upon yourself’. People with genital herpes aren’t thought of as victims; they’re thought of as sluts, monsters, lepers, or just stupid. There is a ‘Good’ Herpes (Oral) and a ‘Bad’ Herpes (Genital).

If I told you I have/had contracted gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, or a yeast infection, it wouldn’t be a big deal because they’re all curable. We could have interacted with the same amount of people but because of my disease I am deemed more of a whore than others. We both could have contracted an STD but yours is curable and mine is not. You were lucky while my luck ran out. 

Genital herpes is not the worst std to contract, but the stigma around it is one of the worse in comparison to others.