Scared to book

Hi all,

First, thank you all for the amazing work you do!

I’m going through a divorce (finalising in a few weeks) that I’m not over emotionally, and last year had seen some amazing sex workers due to loneliness, sexual desire etc. (only after separation).

But earlier this year I had a sexual health check and found out I have hsv1/genital herpes that I think I got from an escort (of course no way to tell how I really got it as it is so common, but previous tests were negative). Of course, I understand this is really mild in terms of sti, and that the stigma is much worse than the disease in almost all cases. I’m not angry or anything about it.

Anyway, since then, I have been worried about getting other STIs, so I haven’t been going. But recently I have been feeling really lonely and wanting to book again. But then I chicken out because I’m worried about getting something more serious…

Can someone give some reassurance or advice?