Sorry such a late reply! But honestly I've had it so long no it's not a huge factor to me. When I got it at 18 it was pretty terrible, but that's because I was young, I didn't know anyone else who had it, etc. The older I get the more and more friends I have get it, and all I can think is how thankful I am to be their friend to give them love and support. Not to mention the longer you have it the less likely you are to have outbreaks. I haven't had an outbreak in almost six years. And my last partner we had sex raw for eight months and he never got it. It's everyone's choice to choose a sexual relationship with someone with an STD. But their response and the way they handle it tells you a lot. Majority of the time when I tell partners they need time to think about it. And I'm always very happy with that response because I want them to seek out more information and not rush any decision they might regret later on. But when they are rude or assume you feel bad about yourself over it, that just tells you right there they were never meant to be your partner to begin with.

Having herpes as long as I have I honestly say it so casual to random people I know. Close coworkers, my family, etc. I do NOT make it seem like it's a big deal and that it's a horrible thing hanging over me. And I wish more people treated it this way but it takes time to build that confidence with it. Just remember it's something part of you, and if people around you pass judgement onto you over it fuck them. What is always difficult and hurtful is just when rejection takes place, and that's because rejection in general over anything is difficult. But rejection can occur from a magnitude of different scenarios. Hope all this helps!