I am a 20 year old African American from Ohio. I was diagnosed with Genital Herpes in March of 1998. I was 15 years old then & pregnant with my son. It was horrible, painful and also embarrasing. The doctor did not know if I got it before or after I got pregnant. She told me that if I got it before I got pregnant my son would be fine but if I got it after I got pregnant my son would come out with Herpes sores on his body, blind etc, etc. I knew who gave it to me but I didnt know when I got it. The doctor told me that I had to wait until my son was born to see if he was infected too. Thankfully he turned out beautiful. I love him to death & I would not change this experience but I would change having this Illness and using condoms. I have only had one outbreak since. Herpes is devastating but you cannot let it take over your life & your dreams. And to everybody white , black or whatever race you can survive it too! Anyone is welcomed to join. I wanted to start this group to help support anyone with Herpes. And this group is safe & confidential. And you can e-mail me at BlackAndSurvivingTheHerpesBattle@yahoogroups.com or wwwMnply321@aol.com or wwwMnply321@yahoo.com.