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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.

Herpes has a way of revealing more about the people around you than it does about you. In this episode, Cat Dupree shares why disclosure is the ultimate BS detector—and how the way someone reacts tells you exactly who they are. From friends and family to dating and relationships, this raw conversation flips the script and shows you why their response doesn’t define your worth—it shows you who deserves a place in your life.

✅ Why disclosure instantly reveals someone’s true character

✅ How herpes can filter out shallow connections and highlight the real ones

✅ What reactions to pay attention to—and what they actually mean

✅ Why ghosting or rejection says more about them than it does about you

✅ How to reframe disclosure so the power stays in your hands

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

Why is everyone so afraid of herpes, and why they should they be? In this episode, Cat Dupree breaks down how herpes became the most judged and misunderstood STI of all time. From the infamous 1982 TIME Magazine cover to the rise of stigma-fueled media, she unpacks where all the shame started, what the science actually says, and how to finally let go of the fear. If you're living with HSV1 or HSV2 or just want to understand the truth beyond the headlines, this one’s for you.

✅ How TIME Magazine helped create the shame around herpes

✅ How antivirals like Acyclovir and Valtrex reduce outbreaks and transmission

✅ How herpes went from a virus to a public punchline

✅ Why stigma still exists even though herpes is common and manageable

✅ What we all can do to break the silence—and the shame—for good

By the end of this episode, you’ll know the truth about herpes, the stigma, and why the real problem isn’t the virus—it’s the silence around it.

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

Wondering how to tell someone you have herpes? Or when the “right time” is to bring it up? In this episode, Cat Dupree breaks down what actually matters when it comes to herpes disclosure—without the fluff or BS.

In this episode you'll discover:

• Being Okay with Having Herpes
• Does It Matter How You Say It?
• Feeling Safe and What It Means
• When Are You Ready to Disclose?
• When is the Right Time to Tell Someone?

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

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Confused about herpes testing? You’re not alone. Between swab tests, IgM, IgG, and the Western Blot, it can be hard to know which test is accurate, when to take it, and how to avoid false positives.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through:

✅ How each herpes test works – swab, IgM, IgG, and Western Blot

✅ The best timing for testing to avoid false negatives

✅ Why IgM tests are unreliable (and even the CDC says skip them)

✅ How to interpret low positive IgG results

✅ When and why to confirm with a Western Blot

✅ How to get accurate results and avoid unnecessary anxiety

By the end, you’ll know exactly which herpes test to ask for, when to take it, and how to confirm your results so you don’t walk away with the wrong diagnosis.

Herpes outbreaks can feel random—but your diet might be playing a bigger role than you realize.

In this episode of Herpes Wellness, we break down five common triggers that could be contributing to your symptoms. You’ll learn how certain foods affect the herpes virus, what to watch for, and how to start noticing patterns in your own body. We’ll also talk about natural supplements like L-Lysine and Monolaurin that may help support your immune system and reduce outbreak frequency.

What you’ll learn:

✔️ Why some everyday foods can throw your body off

✔️ The connection between arginine, lysine, and herpes

✔️ How to support your system with the right tools

✔️ The exact supplement combo I recommend (linked below)

Check out my go-to L-Lysine and Monolaurin product: https://amzn.to/4faRcT5

Join our FREE online community. Download the app by searching for Herpes Wellness in the App Store or Google Play.

In this episode, Cat Dupree shares how she navigated intimacy in two real-life relationships where only one partner had herpes. From communication and trust to protection and daily antivirals, this episode includes real talk and practical insight.

You’ll Find Out:

• How Cat made it work in a 10-year relationship without antivirals or protection
• What intimacy looks like now with her current herpes-negative partner
• Why there’s no one-size-fits-all method when it comes to sex and herpes
• And how to figure out what works for you Whether you're living with HSV1 or HSV2, dating someone who has it, or just want to learn more—this episode will help you feel more confident navigating intimacy.