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.  There are a few expeirenced Support Group Moderators in our group who will be happy to facilitate a meeting, if someone else will host a meeting in their home, or other local meeting place.  Support group meetings have been held in private homes, restaurants, parks, and hospital meeting rooms and in other places where participants feel like they have sufficient privacy.  With your help, these meetings can be organized whenever there is sufficient interest.  Please join the Yahoo Group to express your interest in attending a Support Group, and be prepared to help find a location, day and time that works for everyone. 

San Francisco HELP - Herpes Support Group

Unfortunately, the San Francisco HELP group has been inactive for a very long time.  Please join Bay Area Friends Yahoo Group (see above) to see if there is interest in holding an informal support group meeting within driving distance of your location.

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. 

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