Although Bay Area Friends is a Social Group, not a Support Group, many of us do talk to each other about personal experiences dealing with and dating with herpes.  Knowledge is power, and talking to people who have successfully dated with herpes is a real confidence builder, and we are happy to share our stories with you.  We also recommend attending SF HELP, the local herpes support group, which meets on the third Thursday of each month in San Francisco. 

Informal Support Group Meetings in the Bay Area

Occasionally, BAF members organize informal support group meetings, especially for the benefit of those who are new to herpes and need to talk to someone in person.  Make sure to join the BAF Yahoo Group to keep informed about when such meetings occur. 

San Francisco HELP - Herpes Support Group

For those of you who need local support and information about living with herpes, there is the San Francisco HELP Group. HELP groups all over the US are affiliated with the American Social Health Association (ASHA), which provides guidance, advocacy, and information about sexually transmitted diseases, including Herpes and HPV. 

San Francisco HELP is a confidential support group for people with genital herpes.  If you're new and not quite up to mingling at a social event, this is a great first step.  If you're a veteran, it's a great way to support newcomers and keep up with the latest information.  

Meetings occasionally take place at St. Mary's Hospital, 450 Stanyan St., San Francisco.  These meetings used to occur on a monthly basis but have become irregular lately.  Please contact the organizers below to see when they are meeting next.

Call Allen at (650) 704-4021 (please, no calls after 10pm) or email HELP_SF@yahoo.com for directions or more information.

HELP (Herpes Education and Liaison Program) groups are devoted to helping you learn the latest facts about herpes and helping you deal with both the medical and emotional implications of your situation.  If you have been newly diagnosed or are experiencing some challenges in living with herpes, consider attending a HELP group meeting in your area.  These groups provide a safe, confidential environment where participants can get accurate information and share experiences, fears, and feelings with others who are concerned about herpes. HELP groups are non-profit and are a great resource for anyone who needs the support only they can provide.  Even if you have had herpes for years, there are always new research studies and treatment advances that you can find out about by attending HELP group meetings.

For more information and answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" about who attends and what happens at SF HELP Group Meetings, click here.

National Herpes Hotline: (919) 361-8488

The National Herpes Hotline (NHH) is operated by ASHA as part of the Herpes Resource Center (HRC). The hotline, which receives over 60,000 calls a year, provides accurate information and appropriate referrals to anyone concerned about herpes. Trained Health Communication Specialists are available to address questions related to transmission, prevention and treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV). The NHH also provides support for emotional issues surrounding herpes such as self-esteem and partner communication. The hotline is open from 9am to 6pm, ET, Monday through Friday. 

You can also get answers to your questions via email. Click here to send an e-mail to the Herpes Resource Center at herpesnet@ashastd.org

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- For more links to useful medical information about herpes,  please see our Herpes Links and Info page.