Welcome:   Hi and welcome to 'Herpes in Brisbane.'  We hope that we can give you support and or whatever it is that suits your needs.   Although I am sure that you probably would rather not be reading this at the moment Herpes IS NOT the end of love, sex and or you as a human being.  This is really quite a minor problem in the scheme of life with the correct support and information.   In this community you will find people from all walks of life, ages and gender.    'Herpes in Brisbane' has only been going since late December 2001 and has been slowly building in membership since.  We would hope that you will join in our message boards, ask questions of any of us, offer support to any of us that may require some information that you may know the answer to and join or start a chat session.  While there is a regular chat time, MONDAY nights from 8-8.30pm, feel free to access and see if anyone else is around.  If you want to start another time use the Message Board to promote interest.   You will also notice that there are other useful segments in the MENU bar such as 'Stuff about you' and 'Upcoming Events' as well as 'Links' to other Herpes related information.  Among this is also information about the Brisbane Herpes Resource Centre that is managed with great care by Rhonda.  This is a fantastic group of people that get together to also offer support by phone or mail.   They arrange social events such as dinners etc.  The experience is so liberating.  The people who belong to this group are just wonderful.   If you are new to the Herpes virus you are probably thinking the worst.  PLEASE don't!  Instead you can turn a negative into a positive and still find love and happiness just like the other three out of four people in this world.  You may be interested in reading more about it from an Information Booklet that was written by the drug compnay, Novartis.  This info booklet has been split into two parts for ease of reading : Novartis Info Book Part 1: SO YOU HAVE HERPES and  Novartis Info Book Part 2: APPROAHING LIFE WITH HERPES .      I hope that you feel comfortable and this is YOUR site and you should feel free to express yourself.  If you have bad news or wish to vent, please remember to be sensative to others in the way you express yourself.  This does not mean hiding your feelings but just remember how your comments may affect another.   It is important to know that this site is a SUPPORT and INFORMATION portal.  It is not a PICK UP joint.  If you are searching for a partner, lover or any form of sexual requirements you can find links in the menu bar.  This is to protect all of us, new and old members.       Take care.  Manager.