By Ella Dawson Jul 23, 2015 I was diagnosed with herpes two years ago, and I can’t tell you how many offensive things people have said to me about it since then. I understand that many of these comments don’t come from a place of ill will; most people just have no effing clue what to say when someone tells them that they have herpes. While there’s no script for the perfect thing to say to someone who shares this very personal piece of information with you (just as there’s no Mad Libs-style formula for how to disclose to someone that you have herpes), there are certain remarks I would advise against—all of which are based on things that have been said to me time and time again. Here’s what someone with herpes can’t help but think the moment they hear this: Thank you so much for referring to my body as “gross.” That’s very kind and exactly what I need to hear in this vulnerable moment. Yes, the word “herpes” can elicit a yuck reaction somewhere deep in our gut. A combination of bad sex education and a powerful social stigma has convinced us that herpes is a revolting, extremely contagious disease. But in reality, herpes is manageable skin condition and a slight annoyance at most for the many millions of people who live with it. Try to quiet those hurtful snap judgments, and listen to the living, breathing human with emotions who is speaking to you. RELATED: