I know, I wish we could do more as well. Trust me, I put a lot of pressure on myself to do more but at the end of the day I have to take care of myself.
Again, we’re always looking for new mods so if anyone has any kind of experience in any professional field related to sex education or any of the topics we cover and would like to volunteer to answer questions please let me know.
-FYSE
Anon submission of a cold sore!
You’re more likely to transmit it if you do have an outbreak, but you can transmit it even if there is no outbreak. The virus does randomly shed even when you have no symptoms which means someone can get it. Yes, it’s only transmitted through direct contact.
Remember, if any of you have an outbreak, expression, or anything like that of your STI and would like to show people what an STI REALLY looks like please take a picture! I’ll post it anonymously if you like. I’m tired of seeing the photoshopped, worst case scenario, scare tactic pictures that so many people use. It stigmatizes us and makes people think that if they don’t have any symptoms then they don’t have any STIs.
Lets show everyone the truth!
Here’s a picture of my HSV-1 genital herpes outbreak. This is about the 4th one I’ve had. Since my first outbreak there’s been no bumps really, just redness and the tell-tale itching/burning sensation. It’s a lot more tolerable than the first outbreak I had, but it’s still pretty annoying. It usually only lasts for a few days.
It was pretty difficult for me to take a good picture of it because it is so hard to see.
Just realized I never posted this here.
Anyone want to chime in? I’m doing a post to explain when and how to get tested and what to do if the test comes back positive. Any points I need to be sure to make?
Also, putting together a resource list for the newly STI positive. Any thing you want to make sure makes the list?
If you have HSV I’d strongly suggest following http://secretsofaurora.tumblr.com/
They are posting a lot of really helpful things today like OTC treatments and talking about the stigma of having herpes.
Another great HSV resource in general is http://thesexuneducated.tumblr.com/
They are both really awesome people and really great resources.
no problem! Genital Warts and MC are both confused for each other a lot. The main difference being, once the lesions caused by MC are gone it’s no longer in your system whereas HPV is always going to be with you. You can tell the difference between the lesions, MC is more uniform than genital warts being very round, usually 2 to 5mm in diameter, with a dimpled centre filled with a white core that can be squeezed out.
It’s a personal choice. As someone with STIs I totally understand choosing not to get involved with a person with STIs. It is more work and there is no way to be 100% sure you won’t get it. Some people think the extra work and the risk is worth it and some don’t. I do think that it’s important to be honest about STI and your sexual history before the relationship turns sexual.
However, please don’t use the word “clean” when talking about being STI free (or healthy in general) because it does kind of assume those of us without a 100% bill of health are dirty.
I’m disabled and I have herpes, I’m fine if someone doesn’t want to take that on because some people will and that’s all that matters to me.
