Woman with genital herpes urges others 'not let STIs define them' and has "best sex life yet"
- last year
A woman diagnosed with genital herpes after noticing a 'razor bump' blister has urged others 'not let STIs define them' as she has her "best sex life yet".
Suzanna Elzbieta, 38, was driving home from visiting her boyfriend and felt uncomfortable "down there" - as if a urinary tract infection (UTI) was coming on - in October 2019.
Her doctor dismissed it as post-sex irritation, but she visited a women's health clinic who confirmed her worst fears - suspecting it was herpes.
Suzanna was prescribed anti-viral medication, and, after a swab, it was revealed she had herpes simplex virus (HSV2) - a common virus the same as the cold sore virus.
With her first flare up, Suzanna suffered with flu-like symptoms and blisters down below but now she only has 'mild' flare ups - a little bump appears every two to three months.
She treats her symptoms with anti-viral medication.
Despite the stigma, single Suzanna has continued to enjoy her dating life and has only been shunned once due to her STI status.
She hopes to remove the shame and stereotype that people with the virus are 'dirty' or 'sleep around'.
The sensual guide and herpes advocate, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, said: "I got herpes when I was 34 and I had only had eight sexual partners.
"I contracted it after visiting my boyfriend who I was in a long-distance relationship with.
"Travelling home after Halloween in 2019, I felt a bit of pain and irritation.
"I noticed what looked like a razor bump and I ignored it at first.
"I thought I was getting a UTI or was just a little torn.
"My doctor didn't think it was anything but later called to prescribe anti-viral medication in case it was herpes.
"A day or so later I went to a women's health clinic, they suspected it was herpes.
"A week later my swab test showed I had HSV2 - a form of the herpes virus.
"At first I was devastated but now I've learned it's a little skin issue.
"I often tell people my last few years with herpes and of singledom have been my hot girl summer days."
When she was first diagnosed, Suzanna thought her life would change forever.
Suzanna said: "Like most people in that situation I was pretty devastated.
"I had no idea that it was something I could get if I was careful, I had no idea it didn't show up in routine STI testing."
Suzanna stayed with her boyfriend - who comforted her - but she broke up with him months later.
She added: "I suspect I hadn't had it before because there's a lot of things which show up in your first infection that can be more severe.
"It took one to two weeks to clear up and then I had another flare up right away.
"After that I was getting a mild flare up every two to three months.
"If I'm not taking anti-viral medication, I will get some tingling and nerve pain."
Since the diagnosis, Suzanna has fought the stigma and shame that comes with testing positive for herpes.
She added: "I think the stigma is a major part of all of this.
Suzanna Elzbieta, 38, was driving home from visiting her boyfriend and felt uncomfortable "down there" - as if a urinary tract infection (UTI) was coming on - in October 2019.
Her doctor dismissed it as post-sex irritation, but she visited a women's health clinic who confirmed her worst fears - suspecting it was herpes.
Suzanna was prescribed anti-viral medication, and, after a swab, it was revealed she had herpes simplex virus (HSV2) - a common virus the same as the cold sore virus.
With her first flare up, Suzanna suffered with flu-like symptoms and blisters down below but now she only has 'mild' flare ups - a little bump appears every two to three months.
She treats her symptoms with anti-viral medication.
Despite the stigma, single Suzanna has continued to enjoy her dating life and has only been shunned once due to her STI status.
She hopes to remove the shame and stereotype that people with the virus are 'dirty' or 'sleep around'.
The sensual guide and herpes advocate, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, said: "I got herpes when I was 34 and I had only had eight sexual partners.
"I contracted it after visiting my boyfriend who I was in a long-distance relationship with.
"Travelling home after Halloween in 2019, I felt a bit of pain and irritation.
"I noticed what looked like a razor bump and I ignored it at first.
"I thought I was getting a UTI or was just a little torn.
"My doctor didn't think it was anything but later called to prescribe anti-viral medication in case it was herpes.
"A day or so later I went to a women's health clinic, they suspected it was herpes.
"A week later my swab test showed I had HSV2 - a form of the herpes virus.
"At first I was devastated but now I've learned it's a little skin issue.
"I often tell people my last few years with herpes and of singledom have been my hot girl summer days."
When she was first diagnosed, Suzanna thought her life would change forever.
Suzanna said: "Like most people in that situation I was pretty devastated.
"I had no idea that it was something I could get if I was careful, I had no idea it didn't show up in routine STI testing."
Suzanna stayed with her boyfriend - who comforted her - but she broke up with him months later.
She added: "I suspect I hadn't had it before because there's a lot of things which show up in your first infection that can be more severe.
"It took one to two weeks to clear up and then I had another flare up right away.
"After that I was getting a mild flare up every two to three months.
"If I'm not taking anti-viral medication, I will get some tingling and nerve pain."
Since the diagnosis, Suzanna has fought the stigma and shame that comes with testing positive for herpes.
She added: "I think the stigma is a major part of all of this.