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285 of 287 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One in four adults in the U.S. have Genital Herpes., June 23, 1998
By A Customer
Read this book! I've done research, and this is the best source I have found. Hi, I'm Julie, and I am no longer STD free as of February, 1998. My lover exposed me to this virus, and although he was very dishonest, and knew he was doing it, I think most of the time transmission happens with innocence &/or ignoracne. Most of HSV II (genital herpes) harborers/carriers do not know they have it. One can have this for years, transmit, and never have an "outbreak." Soon we will come to terms with this stigma. (Herpes is a 'dirty disease.') I was devastated when I learned that I had it, and my primary episode (first outbreak) was traumatic both physically and emotionally. I could not tell anyone, and suffered alone. My lover refused to tell me that he exposed me, and created an elaborate lie to explain it all. My doctor thought what I had could be Herpes, but did not treat me for it. Instead, she gave me multiple creams & savs that made matters worse. Even after Herpes II was identified, she insisted that I continue applying creams to the area -- and that is a mistake. I immediately learned all I could via the Internet. I knew to stop the creams, topicals, and to let air help heal the sores. My sores were so bad that I bled for four days -- not a period! The best source I have found is Ebel's book. This is an easy read, and full of very useful information. Read this book! I guess what I would like, in addition to this wonderful book, is a history of Herpes. I know in the past we hid it, and were in denial, (that's how Herpes became such a negative stigma.) This book could benefit from a chapter on the history of Herpes Simplex II, & I. A vaccine is on its way -- it really looks like it is just around the corner. It's important to have a doctor that knows this stuff. Mine didn't. So, a dishonest lover & an ignorant physician can make life difficult, for a time. But -- I did do my homework & in days knew my options. Do your homework! -- read this book. Even though I hate that I am no longer STD free, I am kind of accepting that I am a person with just another very common microbe. It was not my fault that I got this. Even if it was, so what? It's not deadly. We build antibodies. This almost helps me to better accept myself and to find a true and intimate lover. I guess that is my next step. There is a lot of hope in Ebel's book. And, it can bring you down to earth in dealing with other STDs. Read this book! If you have any comments, questions, or just want to e-mail, do! Julie2July@AOL.com.
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