A recent story has surfaced about someone ending a friendship after being accused of having a sexually transmitted infection (STI) due to a herpes outbreak on their lips.
On Monday, a woman shared her experience on an online forum, saying, “I ended my friendship because of herpes.” She explained that her friend had invited her to a Samgyeopsal Day (March 3) gathering to eat pork belly, but she told them she wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t attend. Despite this, the friend insisted she come anyway.
“As soon as my friends saw my cold sore, they immediately assumed I had an STI. Before I knew it, they were telling everyone in our friend group!” the woman wrote.
Trying to explain the situation, she clarified that it was simply a stress-induced cold sore, made worse by her period and weakened immune system. However, her friend wouldn’t listen, continuing to insist that herpes was always an STI.
Armed with facts, she explained, “There are two types of herpes. Type 1 can show up when you’re stressed or run down, while Type 2 is the genital form—that’s the STI. What I have isn’t an STI.”
Despite her explanation, the friend argued, “Type 1 and Type 2 are just different locations, but they’re both STIs. If it’s an STI, why is it showing up? I can’t eat with you.”
Taken aback, she responded, “Didn’t you invite me even though I told you I wasn’t feeling well?” But her friend shot back, “Then you shouldn’t have come.”
Things escalated into a full-blown argument, with the woman sharing, “Other friends told me, ‘That’s just how they are, don’t let it bother you,’ but it didn’t help. I was so stressed that I even felt nauseous from drinking water. They still acted like that even after I clarified that it wasn’t what they thought.”
She explained, “I asked for separate utensils from the start, just in case. I even requested an extra pair of tongs for the meat and only served the side dishes on my own plate. I used a paper cup and wooden chopsticks and bought bottled water from the convenience store to ensure no transmission risk. I did everything I could, and still, they treated me like that.”
She also mentioned, “The doctor confirmed it’s Type 1. I had been overworking at my night job and dieting, and as soon as my period started, the herpes outbreak occurred.”
Herpes commonly affects 70-80% of South Koreans aged 14 and older. The herpes virus is divided into Type 1 and Type 2. It typically lies dormant in nerve cells and becomes active when the immune system is weakened.
Type 1 herpes simplex causes blisters on the lips, mouth, nose, chin, and cheeks. The affected area may feel tingling and develop scabs, but it typically doesn’t leave scars. It is most commonly contracted during childhood or adolescence through close contact with friends or family. The virus can spread through kissing, sharing eating utensils, or towels. Symptoms usually last between 3 to 7 days and tend to recur frequently.
Type 2 herpes simplex, on the other hand, typically causes blisters around the genital area, with sexual contact being the primary means of transmission. Additional symptoms may include fever, muscle aches, fatigue, and weakness. Type 2 herpes should be treated as soon as it is detected, and both sexual partners need to seek treatment. Since Type 2 is a highly contagious STI, it is recommended to avoid sexual intercourse for at least one year following diagnosis. While there is no cure, consistent treatment and lifestyle changes can help prevent outbreaks.