If you've been diagnosed with genital herpes, you may feel scared and alone or as though your sex life is over. While these are common feelings, they needn't consume your life, says Dr. Ruth Westheimer, respected sex therapist and author of the book Lover's Companion: The Art and Poetry of Desire (Abrams 2003). In fact, she stresses that people with genital herpes can have normal, satisfying relationships. Here, Dr. Ruth answers your questions about how to conquer the emotional side effects of this condition.

• How do people react to a diagnosis of genital herpes?
  
  
• Can someone have a romantic, healthy sex life with an STD?
  
  
• What advice do you have for someone who feels really alone with this disease?
  
  
• At what point in the relationship should someone tell his or her partner?
  
  
• Where do you think is the best place to have that conversation? How do you begin?
  
  
• Can you stay upbeat and maintain intimacy when you have frequent outbreaks?
  
  
• Should a person who has been infected contact the person she believes infected her? How should she approach him or her?
  
  
• Do I have to tell every single person I have sex with that I have herpes, even if I don't have a lesion or an outbreak?
  
  
• Do you have advice for those infected with genital herpes on how to maintain a good attitude?