Genital HSV1 really that bad?

[Lovelylady1996]

Hey you guys! So I was recently diagnosed with genital herpes type 1. I contracted it from a partner who had an active cold sore. We didn't think anything of it at the time. 

I got the diagnosis on my birthday. I was super super super depressed for the past month. My OB is completely clear now. But my question is: is having type 1 really all that awful. My doctor said it was way better than type 2 in the sense that it doesn't reoccur near as often, sheds less and is less severe. 

She also told me with type one if I'm not having an active OB or any symptoms that I don't necessarily have to disclose to future partners. 

 

Im also on suppressive therapy for safe measure. Can someone please talk to me about this? 

[WilsoInAus]

For most people, HSV-1 genitally is a non existent issue. Over half of people with genital HSV-1 never have an outbreak after the original one. Frequency is about 1 in 2 years for those who experience outbreaks.

Shedding is rare after year one, maybe 10-15 days a year. For this reason, you do not have to take antivirals as a suppressive. The shedding is already so low.

The best part perhaps is how common the virus is, such that you are likely to find a partner who already has HSV-1. They are hence not at risk of being infected again.

[Sanguine108]

 

She also told me with type one if I'm not having an active OB or any symptoms that I don't necessarily have to disclose to future partners. 

oh my gosh. A lot of ppl spread gHSV1 bc they don't have an "outbreak".  

Hsv1 and hsv2. Are 99% similar. It's  a relief that it's only ghsv1 but everyone deserves to have a choice of taking the risk of getting it.

[hsv1owner]

oh my gosh. A lot of ppl spread gHSV1 bc they don't have an "outbreak".  

Hsv1 and hsv2. Are 99% similar. It's  a relief that it's only ghsv1 but everyone deserves to have a choice of taking the risk of getting it.

Wrong.

They are not 99% similar. HSV-1 and 2 share about 73% of their genome, as someone on here previously posted with evidence. 

Clinically, the two present themselves very differently. This is well documented. HSV-1 is largely non-productive in the majority of the population. Whereas HSV-2 is far more likely to be productive in a higher proportion of people for a longer period of time. Especially in the genital area. 

@LovelyLady1996: Your doctor is correct. 50%+ of the population, as proven through various serological studies, carry HSV-1 antibodies. This confirms prior exposure and if scientific evidence is followed, infection. It's such a non-event in most peoples lives that they carry on and never have another outbreak. If they do it's minor and they'll put it down to chafing or some other event. Most people acquire HSV-1 during childhood. The vast majority of people who do are asymptomatic and the epidemiological studies confirm this. If not, every second person you saw would have a "coldsore" at some point. If you've had more than two prior sex partners the chances are extremely high that you've already been exposed to the virus, you just didn't catch it.

Does this mean you shouldn't inform people? If you happen to move into long term remission then perhaps you have something to think about. A recommended course of action: HSV, any type, is most active during the first year or two of infection. To be a good human you should probably inform any partners during this time. Give yourself time to see how your body reacts to it, keep an eye on your private parts and learn the signs and symptoms. 

Research diet. It has a huge effect on HSV infections - both types. Look up the lysine, ketogenic diets and the like. Some people claim to have had success putting their infections into remission (permanent?) by following such a protocol.

You are going to find a lot of hysteria both here and in the general population. The unfortunate reality is that boards like this are generally used by those that are either obsessive compulsives (like me ) or people who, unfortunately, have extreme forms of the disease process. I.e: they get repeated outbreaks, or what they perceive to be repeated outbreaks or "neuralgia". These people are more typically carriers of HSV-2 but that fact gets lost in the noise more often than not.

It will take some adjusting. You do, in fact, have herpes. You have had herpes - some form of it - for a long time. Because I assume you have had chickenpox, mono, or CMV. These are all at least or more prevalent than HSV-1 and all are part of the herpes family. But now you have fo' reals herpes herpes.    

More facts on epidemiology. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidemiology_of_herpes_simplex

In some regions, even in Europe, the HSV-1 levels are far higher than 50%.

But the truth is it's not that bad. People still have sex with me, some even don't care at all. You'll have to practice how to tell people and it won't be any definition of "fun", or maybe it will? I am not quite that far along yet. Incidentally, I also have gHSV-1 and it's not big deal. I've had one major outbreak and *maybe* a very very small one about a month later. I couldn't really tell for sure as it was so insignificant. Since then, I've had some redness at the site of original infection but over the past two months it appears to have started to go away - I apply zinc sulphate topically and it appears to have a good effect. 

Good luck. You have gHSV-1 and it's not a big deal. 

 

[musumegirl]

I've had genital type 1 herpes for about 6 years. I have pretty much been symptom free for 5 years (I think I had a single sore maybe a year and a half ago, still unsure). I have told all of my partners and have had unprotected sex as well. No one has contracted it from me to my knowledge and some already had it (they got tested and checked). I think its still important to say something. If you end up having something special, you'll have already started it on a lie. 

[littleharp534]

On September 7, 2015 at 11:55 AM, Lovelylady1996 said:

Hey you guys! So I was recently diagnosed with genital herpes type 1. I contracted it from a partner who had an active cold sore. We didn't think anything of it at the time. 

I got the diagnosis on my birthday. I was super super super depressed for the past month. My OB is completely clear now. But my question is: is having type 1 really all that awful. My doctor said it was way better than type 2 in the sense that it doesn't reoccur near as often, sheds less and is less severe. 

She also told me with type one if I'm not having an active OB or any symptoms that I don't necessarily have to disclose to future partners. 

 

Im also on suppressive therapy for safe measure. Can someone please talk to me about this? 

sorry I know this post is super old, but did you get swabbed? or was it a blood test