Brief Answer:
Go ahead & enjoy your life; people are empathetic

Detailed Answer:
Hi there XXXXXXX
I chose to answer your question because I feel your anxiety & empathise.
My advice to you would be forget about what you read on the net & forget about percentages.
While I concede that all these may be factually correct, there are always statistical variations & permutations & combinations therof that can boggle the mind. Also science is an ever evolving subject so much so that what we were taught or practiced a decade ago can radically change over a decade.
This is why I am not a big fan of 'suppressive therapy' as I find the side effects & compliance issues far outweigh the benefits if any!
As for Dating..sure by all means go ahead but be open with your partners.
Herpes is no more a stigma & the prevalence in communities is to the tune of 70% or more & after all the awareness nowadays, we all know that it need not be spread purely through sexual contact. Direct contact, hugging, kissing when the lesions are active are more likely to aid the transmission/spread than not.
So Yes, more people are understanding of the situation.
My action plan for you would be to relax (stress lowers the immunity & promotes the recurrence & frequency of episodes), use a condom (protection during sex which in any case is advisable) & use a topical 5% acyclovir cream (Zovirax) as soon as you start feeling the 'rash' is about to erupt. Another option is to keep a course of Acyclovir (or derivatives like Famcyclovir which is easier as a 3 times/day dosage) given by a dermatologist or GP nearest you at hand. Start this in the prodromal phase (the time you 'feel' or get some 'tingling' or 'numbness' in the area before the blisters appear) & you will find good results & slowly 'push' the virus away & keep the recurrences in check.
I do hope this answer has addressed your pertinent issues & given you a positive spin on the disease & handling & wish you a good long fulfilling life. Cheers!
Dr Praveen Rodrigues MD

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