The most frightened I have ever been in my life was when I realized that I most likely had an STI. I was an adult; I wanted to be in a long-term relationship, marry, and have children. I was a respected teacher in a small community. I did not feel that I could speak to friends about my situation without risking rumors spreading through my community. Would people judge me and think that I had engaged in inappropriate behavior? Would they still trust me to teach their children?

I am so grateful that there is a very good community clinic where I live. I was quickly given an appointment, and the doctor who saw me treated me respectfully without making me feel judged. Yes, I had herpes. I always will, but the doctor was able to reassure me and prescribe me with appropriate medicine. Years later, I still regularly run into the same doctor—at the grocery store, at community events—but have never felt that he allowed our relationship within our community to be affected at all by the doctor/patient relationship.

Today, I am happily married, and my daughter is playing in the living room. I went to the same clinic for prenatal care prior to my daughter’s birth and, with the help of doctors there, was able to plan for and have a natural birth, despite my STI. I am grateful for each doctor whom I worked with. A special degree of professionalism is required from doctors who regularly run into their patients at the grocery store.