A woman diagnosed with genital herpes after noticing a 'razor bump' blister has urged others 'not let STIs define them' as she has her "best sex life yet".<br /><br />Suzanna Elzbieta, 38, was driving home from visiting her boyfriend and felt uncomfortable "down there" - as if a urinary tract infection (UTI) was coming on - in October 2019.<br /><br />Her doctor dismissed it as post-sex irritation, but she visited a women's health clinic who confirmed her worst fears - suspecting it was herpes.<br /><br />Suzanna was prescribed anti-viral medication, and, after a swab, it was revealed she had herpes simplex virus (HSV2) - a common virus the same as the cold sore virus.<br /><br />With her first flare up, Suzanna suffered with flu-like symptoms and blisters down below but now she only has 'mild' flare ups - a little bump appears every two to three months. <br /><br />She treats her symptoms with anti-viral medication. <br /><br />Despite the stigma, single Suzanna has continued to enjoy her dating life and has only been shunned once due to her STI status.<br /><br />She hopes to remove the shame and stereotype that people with the virus are 'dirty' or 'sleep around'.<br /><br />The sensual guide and herpes advocate, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, said: "I got herpes when I was 34 and I had only had eight sexual partners.<br /><br />"I contracted it after visiting my boyfriend who I was in a long-distance relationship with.<br /><br />"Travelling home after Halloween in 2019, I felt a bit of pain and irritation.<br /><br />"I noticed what looked like a razor bump and I ignored it at first.<br /><br />"I thought I was getting a UTI or was just a little torn.<br /><br />"My doctor didn't think it was anything but later called to prescribe anti-viral medication in case it was herpes.<br /><br />"A day or so later I went to a women's health clinic, they suspected it was herpes.<br /><br />"A week later my swab test showed I had HSV2 - a form of the herpes virus.<br /><br />"At first I was devastated but now I've learned it's a little skin issue.<br /><br />"I often tell people my last few years with herpes and of singledom have been my hot girl summer days."<br /><br />When she was first diagnosed, Suzanna thought her life would change forever.<br /><br />Suzanna said: "Like most people in that situation I was pretty devastated.<br /><br />"I had no idea that it was something I could get if I was careful, I had no idea it didn't show up in routine STI testing."<br /><br />Suzanna stayed with her boyfriend - who comforted her - but she broke up with him months later.<br /><br />She added: "I suspect I hadn't had it before because there's a lot of things which show up in your first infection that can be more severe.<br /><br />"It took one to two weeks to clear up and then I had another flare up right away.<br /><br />"After that I was getting a mild flare up every two to three months.<br /><br />"If I'm not taking anti-viral medication, I will get some tingling and nerve pain."<br /><br />Since the diagnosis, Suzanna has fought the stigma and shame that comes with testing positive for herpes.<br /><br />She added: "I think the stigma is a major part of all of this.
