Studies say 1 in 3 people live with HSV-2. I think it’s amazing that a forum like this is created. Why do you think there is so much Stigma around this disease?
Yes, herpes is very common in the U.S. Many people think that a person with herpes, especially with genital herpes is dirty and promiscuous, which make people with herpes always unwilling to tell their status.
What do you feel is the biggest fear for people living with HSV-2?
HSV-2 more commonly causes genital infections, HSV-2 is also called genital herpes. People can get genital herpes by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the disease. Sadly HSV-2 is often connected to being promiscuous it brings shame to the injured person who may have been victims of the disease by a dishonest person or even sexual assault.
People infected with HSV-2 are more likely to be judged by society. People with genital herpes fear the social judgement as well as potential partner rejection. This makes them feel terrified to disclose it.
What made you create this dating site?
MPWH, also call Meet People with Herpes. We create it with the aim to offer a stigma-free, anonymous dating and support environment to people who are infected by herpes to find support, love and a relationship with the someone who has the same status. Living with herpes today is no easy feat, as most of the people on our platform have realized. Acceptance, guidance, and understanding is the most practical way to develop a healthy dating life that is fruitful and positive for the individual.
Do you have a large sign up of people on this site?
Yes, not only in the U.S. but all over the world people have herpes and they are willing to talk about it with people in the same situation.
How long has the site been in existence?
MPWH originally began its services since 1999, now 18 years have passed, MPWH still exists and offers its honest service to people living with HSV-2.
Do you have any marriage success stories?
Yes, MPWH has success stories, we never collected them before. Recently, MPWH has put up a page to collect these success stories.
Why do you think there is so much stigma around this issue even though 1 in 3 People have it?
Sadly our society has exaggerated the facts and the causes. Different people infected by herpes have different stories on how they got the disease.
Many of them, catch herpes because they are cheated on by their partners. Others just have one partner and got it that way. For others, they got herpes orally. Many of them may get it during childhood via just a kiss from their relatives. So, judging them without truth is destroying their life. Know their story before dismissing and judging them.
Are you currently living with HSV 2?
No, but since I work for group with herpes people, I always learn about herpes, I know more people with herpes than others.
What advice would you give to someone with HSV 2:
Don’t feel life is over with herpes, even though herpes is incurable currently. The virus can still be managed well, it’s not life threatening. Find someone who really cares you and love you, don’t be alone and don’t be lonely.
What do you believe is the greatest fear a person living with HSV-2 is?
Most of time, people living with herpes have to bear more mental pain than physical pain. And even some people say honestly that they don’t mind being single but they do afraid of being lonely. According things herpes people shared on MPWH, we noticed that fear to disclose is a common sense among them. Nonetheless, disclosing plays an very important role to a new relationship. Another, thing is we suggest they find a partner with the same status, that would let them feel more comfortable and more acceptable.
Any last comments:
Living herpes is difficult, we all know it, but you can still live a meaningful life. Life shouldn’t be a death sentence to because of herpes. Manage it well, live well!
Learn more by visiting the website today!
https://www.mpwh.com/