Confused about HSV1

[Aurora567]

I got my first ever OB last Thursday, had no idea what it was until I went to the ER sunday morning in extreme pain. The doc told me she was 99% sure it was herpes but did a test anyway. She started me on Valtrex right away and sent me home. Was in the worst ever possible pain with genital outbreak.. the worst pain while peeing , literally in tears and screaming everytime. Yesterday, I got confirmation that it is HSV1. This does not make any sense as it is on my genitals. Today I am THANKFULLY starting to feel a little better. I've done a TON of reading on this forum and other places but have not found any case like mine. What does this mean? And is my saliva infected even though it's not near my mouth? Also what is everyone's recommendation for a daily vitamin I can take to try and keep it away? I am only taking the valtrex for 10 days then seeing what happens but I want to stay away from this horror in the future. Or try as best as I can. I've been out of work day 3 now because the pain is unbearable.

[JBnATL]

Hi there, welcome to the website. You have come to the right place to learn about this virus, and the people here are the best.

How were you tested? I am going to assume you were given a swab test. Just because you have hsv1 doesn't mean you have it oral, in fact you probably don't have it there so kissing will not transmit this virus and it is NOT in your saliva.

Both hsv1 and hsv2 can be oral and genital, they are almost identical genetically. The only difference is where they prefer to be located. Hsv1 prefers to reside in your trigeminal ganglia nerve systems which is contained to your face/head. Hsv2 prefers to be in the sacral ganglia nerve system which starts at the base of your spine and goes down your legs. These two nerve systems do not connect so there is no way genital herpes can travel by itself to your mouth.

You probably got hsv1 genital from someone who had it oral performing oral sex on you. Most new cases of genital herpes is contracted this way. Having ghsv1 is like winning the herpes lottery since hsv1 doesn't like to be genital. You may never have another outbreak again and it is almost impossible to spread to other parts of your body or to someone else.

Antivirals are the best thing you can take to help fight this virus and Valtrex is the best antiviral on the market. The only other scientifically proven think you can take is lysine which is an amino acid which comes in various foods and in supplemental form. Here is a link to a post that talks about lysine:

http://www.herpes-coldsores.com/amino-acid-lysine-for-herpes.htm

You will read on this website posts from people who take all types of things to help them fight this virus. Some may work and most will not. Do you own research and hopefully you can find other things that might help as well.

The #1 defense against this virus is your immune system so try and keep that as healthy as possible which means getting plenty of rest, exercising and eating a proper diet.

One thing that many people do to alleviate the pain is to take baths soaked in epsom salts.

Good luck!

JB

[Aurora567]

When you say it is almost impossible to spread to someone else, do you mean in the oral kissing way? Or the genital contact way? I had sex with the guy I'm dating last tuesday and this started Thursday. He says he is going to get checked, but at this point, I don't k now if he gave it to me or not. And if I gave something to him, without realizing it, I will feel awful. The pain started about exactly 2 days later so I am only assuming it is from him, but cannot tell, as the last test I had done was over a year ago.

[JBnATL]

Most people who do have an initial outbreak do so 2 - 20 days after they acquired the virus so it is almost definite you got it from him. 90% of all adults have hsv1 and most don't know it because they have never had a cold sore and have never been tested. He probably has it and never known.

Genital herpes can only be spread from contact with your genitals. You CANNOT spread genital herpes from kissing someone. Even then it isn't that easy to spread, especially ghsv1. Here is a link to a good infographic which shows transmission rates:

http://herpesopportunity.com/downloads/herpes-opportunity-disclosure-handout.pdf

Eventually you will be ok and hopefully you will never have another outbreak.

JB

[hashtag realtalk]

Hi JB,

I was also just diagnosed with genital HSV 1 yesterday and am having a really awful initial outbreak. I had a culture done of the sores. I'm trying to wrap my head around how I managed to get this. Do you think it was definitely from oral sex?

What does this mean for my future sex life? If I have sex with someone that doesn't have't HSV 1, what are the chances I can give it to him through intercourse, as well as if he performs oral on me?

Hopefully, I'll see you in the chat room soon. I was on the site about 4 or 5 years ago and we chatted it up then.

Thanks!

[JBnATL]

Theoretically you can get ghsv1 from intercourse but I have yet to meet anyone who has gotten it that way. That link I posted about shows the risk of transmission for ghsv1 and as you can see it is quite small. Also, the longer you have it the less you are contagious so if you have had it 4 or 5 years then the risk is really really small.

I hope to see you in chat again soon!

JB

[hashtag realtalk]

Thanks! What about if someone gives me oral without having HSV1? Same risk?

[JBnATL]

Yes the risk is the same even if they give you oral.

JB