SPFPP 379: Dating with Herpes - Should you Only Date People with the Same Type?

In this vulnerable and insightful episode of Something Positive for Positive People, Courtney Brame speaks with Jhivan, who shares their experience navigating life three months post-herpes diagnosis. The conversation explores the emotional and sexual impact of the diagnosis, the fear of transmission, and the internal debate around only dating people who have the same type of herpes.

Together, they unpack:

• What it means to avoid intimacy after a diagnosis

• The logic behind only dating people with the same HSV type

• How fear of transmission affects identity and sexual expression

• The cultural stigma differences between Europe, the Caribbean, and the U.S.

• Learning your body, triggers, and finding peace in the new normal

This episode is a powerful listen for anyone who’s felt the pressure to protect others at the expense of their own connection needs, and for those questioning how to safely navigate dating after herpes.