Feel free to share this list with your friends and to let me know what you think. I think from here on out I will let you guys know when I’ve added something new. I think it’s a nice reminder that my stuff is always changing out there on the net.

Hope everybody is looking forward to the Holidays! I know I am!

Here’s what’s new on Yoshi2me.com, Sexual Health Buzz (the blog), and the STD Message Board

Herpes Help - All the sections that have something new to offer have been indicated. Somebody wrote me and said it would be helpful as they have the site bookmarked and like to check in from time to time. Thanks for the tip! =)

Yoshi2me’s New Stuff - It’s the first time I’ve posted an update on this page since July. Be sure and check that out when you have a chance too, k? =)

Canadian H Pals - These are our Canadian H Pals. We have more than 1 now. Woot Woot! =)

H Pals - This is the H Pal home page just in case you wanted to bookmark that. Also, just because you’re area is represented doesn’t mean you can’t be an H Pal if that is what you’d like to do. The more the merrier! If you have a site of your own… what a great way to network that provided the feeling is mutual.

Toronto Ontario H Pal - If you are in Toronto Colene is still around the help. Just shoot us an e-mail and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Edmonton H Pal - This is one of our brand new H Pals. Make sure you stop in and say hello to him!

Yoshi2me’s Positive Feedback - A lot of people have been sending me their positive feedback as to how they see the site and how it’s helped them. I am humbled and honored that people would say such nice things. Thanks you guys.

A New True Story - This is one of the newer stories titled, “A New Beginning.”

Inspirational Stories - There are 6 brand new stories to read if you haven’t already. I’m always interested in posting stories to share. I think it’s a great way to reach out to people in similar shoes. Stories can be alias names to keep things more private too.

Another New True Story - The name of this brand new True Story is called “My Virus Collection.”

Illinois H Pals - Freeport and Springfield are the represented areas for H Pals in Illinois. If you would like to be an H Pal for your neck of the woods let me know! I’d be glad to get you added. All that it takes is a little write up, a photograph, and the location that you would like to represent and I’d be happy to put something together for you.

Social Support Networking Alliance - Halifax Nova Scotia has been added to the list of social groups out there. I am still listing social event details too so be sure and send me those events and I’ll be happy to post them.

As always, thank you for your encourage and be sure to share this with those that might benefit in a positive way. If you don’t like receiving these sorts of updates in your mailbox, let me know and I will make the necessary adjustments. If you would like to blog this information, you go right ahead!

Can you help me out? What are your burning questions and issues with herpes? What do you think could be done better and smarter in the community in terms of educating people?

For instance, the other day, I was visiting coworkers and they got to talking about a girl they knew who really REALLY liked a guy and dated him several times and then he had “the talk” with her. The group acknowledged him (”kudos to the guy for telling her before they got real close and/or intimate”), but all said in knee jerk reaction “oh he has to go bye-bye”. I made the comment that it was very brave of him to tell her and to be rejected out of hand (she left before dinner was served and left the information he had gotten for her behind) had to have hurt. They thought I was being too soft. All I could think was that we really need to increase awareness in the mainstream community about STI’s and how common they are. Oy!

So tell me what you are thinking .. what gets you .. what do you wish was happening in the community, please. I appreciate your help!

Leave your comment here

If you don’t want to sign up for the message board (which is free) then be encouraged to leave a comment here on this post.

Thanks for your help!

It’s been 5 years for me, and I only recently gathered the courage to put a profile on PositiveSingles—no picture of course.

Dating outside of the virus isn’t working anymore— the stress is just too great.

But sites like this give me a place to be comfortable.

Thanks again for this site– I’m adding it to my favorites. - Anonymous

I hope you guys will not limit yourself to dating only those that have herpes OR any STI for that matter.

I think it’s important to take  your time getting to know the person that you are smitten with.. right?

It’s one reason why I list both herpes dating, std dating and regular online dating sites on my herpes dating page.

Think about it,  you want somebody to like you for who you are and not what you have, right?

So just take your time getting to know those that you are interested in. Go slow. You might find that knowing somebody’s heart trumps knowing about what they have.

If you love each other unconditionally everything else won’t really matter and you can just enjoy being together.

I don’t think you  have to disclose your STD status when you first meet somebody that you could potentially be interested in.

Go on some dates, get to know them, if you think there is a connection and that you are headed towards a more serious and sexually satisfying relationship then you’ll know that it’s time to sit down and talk about STD’s.

Remember,  it’s not all about you and your STD status. You  have a right to know their STD status too.

So talk about it, communicate opening and make a date to go and get tested together BEFORE you have sex. Once you do that you’ll be able to  handle anything as a couple that may come your way.

If you found this post to be of help OR you have any questions at all, please feel free to leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you.

We also have a message board where you can leave a free personal profile. It’s been slow going at first but more and more people are starting to utilize this free service and many people are meeting one another and making new friends in the process.

Thanks and have a great day  ya’ll! : ) - Angela

My dilemma is this: I still am not sure is I should share this information with whomever I intend to kiss. It seems to me that since the vast majority of people have herpes simplex one (60-90%) then it doesn’t seem necessary to tell a partner before kissing. Of course, I intend to share this information with someone while dating and before having sex, since I know that this can be spread through oral sex.

I realize that this might be a gray area and more of an ethical question. But it bothers me that I can infect someone regardless if a cold sore is showing or not and so my feeling is that they have a right to know. The problem is that this will make it very difficult for me to date people if I have to have this conversation before having developed intimacy with that person. Any advice? I’m deeply confused! - Anonymous

I think people should be talking to their partner’s about their STD status before they have sex. I think most would agree with me that if you are going to be sexual then you should probably talk to your partner about your status. Likewise, I would hope that you guys would talk to each other about it and make a date to go and get tested together for stuff before you have sex.

I’ve heard people say that as long as you are  just kissing that it’s ok not to tell or talk about it before you kiss them. I would venture to say that if you are worried about it and you care deeply for that person that it’s a conversation worth sharing and if they care for you they will not judge you are hold it against you. That’s just my thoughts on it though. I hope this helps - Angela

Just to be clear, canker sores are Not the herpes virus. In fact, canker sores and herpes simplex virus are two completely different things that have absolutely nothing to do with each other. Canker sores is not even a sexually transmitted infection. I just wanted to clear that up.

As for somebody with genital herpes giving themselves oral herpes, I would say that it’s highly unlikely. Especially since your body already  has antibodies and you are passed the initial infection. I think you are probably just being a bit paranoid and that’s understandable since you are still learning about this virus, ya know? - Angela

well, now i’m 18. i work front desk at a hotel and get hit on a lot. i usually don’t accept. then, a construction worker who would be staying there for months hit on me, and something attracted me to him. even though i know i could get fired for having any kind of relationship with him, i went for it. he told me everything i wanted to hear, and without pressure, i slept with him. things were fine, i never had any symptoms.

we continued our relationship for weeks and weeks, and he told me he wanted something more than sex before anything happened. well, a little over a month into it, my vagina started to hurt really badly. i figured it was from rough sex we had the night before, and really thought nothing of it…until it became worse later that night. then i put it off on the new soap and laundry soap that i had used.

the next day, things were so much worse. i had all these nasty painful bumps all over and my vagina was swollen and itchy. i went to the gynecologist the next day and after looking for about 10 seconds, she automatically said herpes. i’m still not entirely convinced it’s herpes.

i don’t get the culture results until next week, but she told me that even if it comes up negative, she still says its herpes. i was put on valtrex, and really made to feel like a slut. regardless, i’ve never felt so much pain in my life. it hurts to sit, it hurts to walk, it hurts to urinate, everything hurts.

regardless if it turns out to be herpes, a severe yeast infection, or an allergic reaction, i’ve learned my lesson. not only did my doctor make me feel like a slut, a classmate at college filled my herpes medication, and i cried the entire day feeling dirty and degraded.

i made the mistake, and now i’m dealing with it. i told my mother, and she was more supportive than i ever thought she would be. she didn’t get mad, and she didn’t judge. i’ve been praying all night that i don’t have herpes, but even if i don’t or even if i do, the lesson is definitely learned.

and now i know that these things can happen after even just one time of intercourse without proper thought before hand. even if you think you know the person, even if they have no symptoms, things happen. i just hope someone out there doesn’t make the same mistakes.

This story was submitted by A. If you’d like to submit your story to be posted please do so. To read the rest of the stories submitted please visit: Inspirational True Stories

I found that on Sunday’s Post Secret

Isn’t that horrible?

I guess what I would like to say is that even roomies with STD’s can find happiness.

That’s the thing, when somebody really likes you for who you are and digs you, a lot.. they don’t care if you have an STD.

That’s pretty desperate to make up stories and try to manipulate love.

I suppose true love always wins out in the end, right?

We have seen each other two times since the bomb dropping and he was fine the first night, distant the second night. He used to email me every night and abruptly stopped. I know it’s over - just hasn’t been voiced yet.

He is the first man I have told I loved them in 12 years. This hurts - it sucks - it’s not fair. I want to scream and cry and tell him I am the same person I was 8 days ago that he was saying he could see marrying. Of course then he would leave because I was pyscho - Damn stigma.

All the depression and loneliness I felt when I found out I had it has come rushing back. My friends are very supportive about my relationship breaking-up but they don’t know why. It hurts when people don’t understand why you don’t have a boyfriend because and I quote “you are such a sweet beautiful person.” Ugh, if they only knew.

I am trying a dating site for guys in the same boat. It has taken me so long to trust that someone could see past this, but apparently a skin condition outweighs compatibility. I wish all of you the best of love and life. A full life with people you can trust who do not see you as your situation, but for you.

I found your site 5 yrs ago when I was 31 yrs old scared to death, and newly diagnosed.

For the first time in yrs I was having one of those days today where I felt down about having this disease.

I was doing a web search when I saw the name “Yoshi2me” and remembered reading your bio years ago.

So I read it again and I just wanted to thank you because you really reminded me that I am not alone and that we all have crosses to bear.

God has a plan for us all and the positive way that you have shared your story and other information, have made me feel better.

You are truly a blessing to others and I pray that God will continue to bless you and your family.

Take Care!