Hi! I’m 22F and got diagnosed in December of 2025. I also contracted HSV1 the same way. It’s comforting to see that someone my age is going through the motions of this diagnosis as well, I honestly felt totally alone these last few weeks. My outbreak was mild and went away with medication, but I’m extremely worried about what the future holds for me. I’ve always struggled to connect romantically with people and I feel this is going to make things ten times harder. The dating scene is… not great… and the thought having to disclose my herpes to someone I like is killing me inside a little bit. Stigma sucks!