Fear is one of the biggest things that keeps people stuck after a herpes diagnosis. Whether it’s fear of rejection, fear of judgment, or fear of never finding love again, it all creates a reality built on limitations instead of truth. But here’s what most people don’t realize: fear is just a story. And once you learn how to move through it, you can start creating a life and love that feel real, confident, and free.

In this episode of the Herpes Wellness Podcast, Cat Dupree shares how fear shapes your experience of living with herpes, how courage helps you reclaim your power, and how confidence transforms everything — from dating and relationships to the way you see yourself.

You’ll learn how to move beyond fear, how to rewire your thoughts after an HSV1 or HSV2 diagnosis, and how to start creating your own reality based on truth, not stigma. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living with genital herpes or oral herpes for years, this episode will help you break free from fear and step into your strength.

In this episode you’ll hear:

✔️ How fear keeps you stuck after a herpes diagnosis

✔️ What courage really looks like when it comes to herpes disclosure

✔️ Cat’s personal story about coming out to her partner

✔️ How your mindset and energy shape your reality

✔️ Three key takeaways and a simple practice to help you move forward

✅ Join our online community and participate in herpes discussion forums for free: https://www.herpeswellness.com/

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Most people think they know the truth about herpes — but so much of what’s out there is flat-out wrong. From who gets it, to how it spreads, to what living with it actually looks like, misinformation has shaped the stigma for decades.

In this episode of the Herpes Wellness Podcast, Cat Dupree breaks down the biggest herpes myths and facts so you can finally separate what’s real from what’s not. You’ll learn why herpes is far more common than people think, why most doctors don’t test for it, and how communication and education change everything.

In this episode you’ll hear:

✔️ Why herpes can stay dormant for years before showing symptoms

✔️ Why most doctors don’t automatically test for HSV-1 or HSV-2

✔️ How herpes can be passed on even without visible symptoms

✔️ Why it’s one of the most common viruses in the world

✔️ The truth about living, dating, and finding love with herpes

👇🏻 Download the Herpes Wellness community App and Join For Free:

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/herpes-wellness/id6746517614

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.herpeswellness.community&pcampaignid=web_share&pli=1

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER: All content provided by Herpes Wellness is intended for entertainment or educational purposes only. None of this content is intended to offer or replace qualified medical or health related advice. Herpes Wellness accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any injury, loss, or damage in any shape or form incurred in part or in while, as a direct or indirect result of use or reliance upon the information and material presented here.

Most people think HSV-1 is just a cold sore — but the truth is, it’s a lot more complicated than that. From kissing, to intimacy “down-there”, to sharing lip products, there’s still a ton of confusion about how HSV-1 really spreads and how to prevent it.

In this episode of the Herpes Wellness Podcast, Cat Dupree clears up the myths about HSV-1 transmission, explains what the World Health Organization and CDC actually say, and breaks down what you need to know about outbreaks, asymptomatic shedding, prevention, and antivirals. You’ll also learn why HSV1 is so common, how it affects both kids and adults, and what options exist for managing it.

Whether you’re living with cold sores, HSV-1 “down there”, or just want to understand how transmission and treatment really work, this episode gives you the straight facts in plain English so you can take back control of your health and your life.

In this episode you’ll hear:

✔️ Why HSV1 is the leading cause of genital herpes in the U.S.

✔️ How HSV1 spreads through skin-to-skin contact — and why saliva matters too

✔️ The latest stats on how common HSV1 really is worldwide

✔️ What asymptomatic shedding means and how often it happens

✔️ How antivirals like valacyclovir help with outbreaks and transmission

✔️ Why no method — not antivirals or barrier methods — prevents transmission 100%

👇🏻 Download the Herpes Wellness community App and Join For Free:

App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/herpes-wellness/id6746517614

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.herpeswellness.community&pcampaignid=web_share&pli=1

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER: All content provided by Herpes Wellness is intended for entertainment or educational purposes only. None of this content is intended to offer, or replace qualified medical or health related advice. Herpes Wellness accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any injury, loss, or damage in any shape or form incurred in part or in while, as a direct or indirect result of use or reliance upon the information and material presented here.

What does stigma around herpes really mean — and how do you finally get rid of it? Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed or you’ve lived with herpes for years, this episode shows you how to stop letting the diagnosis define you.

In this episode of the Herpes Wellness Podcast, Cat Dupree breaks down the four steps that helped her change the way she saw herself after her herpes diagnosis: Awareness, Courage, Acceptance, and Choice. She shares her personal story of the limiting beliefs she carried — like feeling unworthy, embarrassed, or fearing no one would ever love her again — and how she learned to rewrite that story.

You’ll learn how to recognize the old thoughts stigma feeds you, how courage becomes the turning point for change, why acceptance isn’t giving up, and how daily choices shape the life you want.

Whether you’re living with HSV1, HSV2, or just looking to understand how mindset shapes life with herpes, this episode is packed with perspective and practical takeaways to help you move forward.

In this episode you’ll hear:

✔️ Why “thoughts become things” applies to herpes stigma

✔️ How to shift old beliefs with Awareness and Intention

✔️ Why Courage is the bridge between fear and freedom

✔️ What Acceptance really means (and what it doesn’t)

✔️ How daily Choices shape the reality you want moving forward

Download the Herpes Wellness community app:

👉🏻 App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/herpes-wellness/id6746517614

👉🏻 Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.herpeswellness.community&pcampaignid=web_share&pli=1

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER: All content provided by Herpes Wellness is intended for entertainment or educational purposes only. None of this content is intended to offer or replace qualified medical or health related advice. Herpes Wellness accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any injury, loss, or damage in any shape or form incurred in part or in while, as a direct or indirect result of use or reliance upon the information and material presented here.

✅ Join our free online community at https://www.herpeswellness.com/

How do you actually prevent passing herpes to someone you love? In this episode of the Herpes Wellness Podcast, Cat Dupree breaks down the facts about herpes transmission, prevention, and what the science really says about lowering the chances.

You’ll learn how HSV1 and HSV2 are transmitted, why asymptomatic shedding is so important to understand, and what the numbers look like when it comes to daily antivirals, barrier methods like condoms and dental dams, and lifestyle choices.

Cat also explains the difference between 500 mg and 1 gram of valacyclovir — including how each dose affects outbreaks, viral shedding, and the risk of transmission — and why the right dose depends on your goals and your doctor’s guidance.

Whether you’re living with genital herpes (HSV2), oral herpes (HSV1), or you just want to understand what prevention really looks like, this episode gives you facts, perspective, and practical steps you can use with confidence. In this episode you’ll hear:

✔️ The truth about herpes transmission and prevention

✔️ How asymptomatic shedding works with both HSV1 and HSV2

✔️ Why herpes tests aren’t always included in standard STD panels

✔️ The difference between 500 mg and 1 gram Valacyclovir

✔️ How combining antivirals with barrier methods can lower the risk

👇🏻 December, 2024 World Health Organization Herpes Article https://www.who.int/news/item/11-12-2024-over-1-in-5-adults-worldwide-has-a-genital-herpes-infection-who

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER: All content provided by Herpes Wellness is intended for entertainment or educational purposes only. None of this content is intended to offer, or replace qualified medical or health related advice. Herpes Wellness accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any injury, loss, or damage in any shape or form incurred in part or in while, as a direct or indirect result of use or reliance upon the information and material presented here.

✅ Join our free online community at https://www.herpeswellness.com/

👉🏻 Download the Herpes Wellness community app on the App Store or on Google Play

Get the "You Are" affirmations in the YouTube video description.

What does it really mean to take your power back from herpes? If you’ve ever felt like your love life, confidence, or even your future ended the day you were diagnosed, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Herpes Wellness Podcast, Cat Dupree shares how she went from feeling like her life was over to finding strength, confidence, and love again. She opens up about the practices that helped her move from shame to empowerment so herpes no longer controlled her.

You’ll hear how journaling became a powerful way to process emotions, why “You Are” affirmations shift the way you see yourself, and what letting go of ego really means when it comes to rejection and self-worth.

Whether you’re living with HSV2, HSV1, or just want to better understand what life with herpes really looks like, this episode gives you tools, perspective, and proof that your story doesn’t end with a diagnosis.

In this episode you’ll hear:

✔️ Why journaling is more powerful than you think

✔️ How “You Are” affirmations retrain your subconscious mind

✔️ Why letting go of ego frees you from rejection and judgment

✔️ The mindset shift that helps you take your power back from herpes

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: All content provided by Herpes Wellness is intended for entertainment or educational purposes only. None of this content is intended to offer, or replace qualified medical or health related advice. Herpes Wellness accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any injury, loss, or damage in any shape or form incurred in part or in while, as a direct or indirect result of use or reliance upon the information and material presented here.

✅ Join our free online community at https://www.herpeswellness.com/

What does intimacy really look like when herpes is part of the relationship?

Whether you have it or you’re thinking about dating someone who does, this episode breaks it down with real stories and facts. In this episode of the Herpes Wellness Podcast, Cat Dupree shares what it was like to navigate intimacy in a long-term relationship with someone who had herpes (when she didn’t), and how she approaches intimacy now with a partner who doesn’t have herpes.

You’ll hear about the “symptom method” she once used, why antivirals are now her go-to, and how couples can decide together what feels right. Cat also covers how well barrier methods actually work, what studies show about transmission, and why being responsible for prevention is different from being responsible for your partner’s choice to be with you.

Whether you’re living with HSV2 or HSV1 and you just want to understand more about intimacy, transmission, and relationships — this episode gives you perspective, clarity, and practical steps you can use.

In this episode you’ll hear:

✔️ How Cat navigated intimacy with a partner who had herpes

✔️ What intimacy looks like now with her current partner who doesn’t have herpes

✔️ The “symptom method” vs. antivirals — and why her approach changed

✔️ How effective barrier methods, antivirals, and combination strategies are in reducing transmission

✔️ The realization that helped her move past the fear of passing herpes to a partner

If you’ve ever felt like your diagnosis means you’ll be alone forever, this episode will change the way you see yourself, dating, and relationships.

In this episode of the Herpes Wellness Podcast, Cat Dupree shares the exact mindset shifts that helped her go from believing love was impossible after herpes to being in a relationship with someone who chose her — herpes and all.

You’ll learn how limiting beliefs and stigma can shape your reality, why self-worth and confidence are key to dating with herpes, and how self-love is the foundation for attracting the right partner. Cat also shares her personal story of years of self-blame, the emotional toll of her diagnosis, and how shifting her perspective completely changed her love life.

Whether you’re living with HSV2 or HSV1 and looking for guidance on dating, confidence, and self-love after a diagnosis — this episode is packed with perspective, empowerment, and practical advice for finding real love again.

In this episode you’ll hear:

✔️ Why limiting beliefs keep you from finding love

✔️ How your mindset shapes your dating reality

✔️ The self-love practices that helped Cat rebuild her confidence

✔️ Why you determine your self worth

✔️ How every “no” can bring you closer to the right “yes”

✅ Join our free online community at https://www.herpeswellness.com/

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER: All content provided by Herpes Wellness is intended for entertainment or educational purposes only. None of this content is intended to offer, or replace qualified medical or health related advice. Herpes Wellness accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any injury, loss, or damage in any shape or form incurred in part or in while, as a direct or indirect result of use or reliance upon the information and material presented here.