Advice

[TheGiftThatKeepsOnGiving19]

Hello, I was recently diagnosed with genital HSV1 almost 2 months ago. I am having a hard time dealing/ accepting the fact that I have herpes. I was wondering if anyone has advice on dealing with this new diagnoses, and If it ever gets better.

[WilsoInAus]

Oh yes indeed this will get much better.

First, appreciate that you are now part of the majority of people who have HSV-1, it is far from the minority.

Second, appreciate that you are no risk to males with HSV-1 already and that is most of them. Mature men (and who doesn't want one of those!) will understand this fact.

Third, this is likely to cause you limited issues. You will not get oral herpes or be at risk of things that may pertain in very rare circumstances to oral herpes.

Four, you have a hundred viruses living in your body right now, because you're human. HSV-1 is among the innocuous ones.

Five, you're still the same beautiful you!

Are you still with the partner that passed this to you, presumably from his oral infection during oral sex?

[thissucks31]

The best advice I can give you, is most everyone has it, I got it at 18, back in 2010. I was mad and upset. The only thing that we should do, and I've obviously failed numerous of times, try to prevent spreading it. I have kids and I unfortunately screwed up today didn't know I'd had a blister and kissed and loved ones them.

As time goes on you become more accepting of it, it's only been in the past year I have personally been able to disclose to anyone and not give a rats ass what people think. In the beginning everything I got hit with one I stressed over the social stigma of 'herpes'. Fact is its been around for the longest time, most people have no idea they have it because they are what I consider the lucky few that show no symptoms. 

 

Some of the things I do on a daily basis to help 'prevent' the reoccurring outbreaks, I take a daily vitamin, vitamin a, vitamin c, lysine, cimitine, and a probiotic. I go a little overbord, yes. I belive it boosts my immune system to keep it in check and the rest is on my stress level and triggers.  

Don't be afraid to have sex, so long as there's not a visible outbreak and you disclose prior, it's out in the open and you know you'll take percaution. 

 

Remember this saying 'compliancy can do some damamge'. It's something I fail to remember everytime.

For the most part it's the social stigma that makes it the worst. Even going to the doctor for a refill on a script can feel awkward and uncomfortable, but I assure you they probably see more cases than we could even think to imagine. I know out of my 4 closest friends 3 of us have HSV. All contracted at different ages and in different ways from different people. 

When I get outbreaks and I need some lift me ups, I always come here, because every emotion you have felt we have all felt before. 

There have been times if I was given a redo card Idebt redo that one night and only that one night, because it made me depressed, I had anxiety, suicidal thoughts, fusteration, felt it all. 

[TheGiftThatKeepsOnGiving19]

18 minutes ago, WilsoInAus said:

Oh yes indeed this will get much better.

First, appreciate that you are now part of the majority of people who have HSV-1, it is far from the minority.

Second, appreciate that you are no risk to males with HSV-1 already and that is most of them. Mature men (and who doesn't want one of those!) will understand this fact.

Third, this is likely to cause you limited issues. You will not get oral herpes or be at risk of things that may pertain in very rare circumstances to oral herpes.

Four, you have a hundred viruses living in your body right now, because you're human. HSV-1 is among the innocuous ones.

Five, you're still the same beautiful you!

Are you still with the partner that passed this to you, presumably from his oral infection during oral sex?

I am not with the partner that passed it on to me. He did not have any visible cold sores at the time, that is why I was shocked when I found out I have herpes.

[WilsoInAus]

But you had oral sex with him and a bad outbreak a few days later?

[TheGiftThatKeepsOnGiving19]

Yes I had a outbreak a few days later.

[WilsoInAus]

That was swabbed positive for HSV-1?

[TheGiftThatKeepsOnGiving19]

yes, and I had blood work done.

[WilsoInAus]

What were the full results of the blood and swab tests?

Did you receive oral and vaginal sex in the week before symptoms?

[TheGiftThatKeepsOnGiving19]

I tested positive for HSV from the swab and the blood work showed that it was type1. I had symptoms 4 days after receiving oral and protected vaginal sex with a new partner.

[WilsoInAus]

You had the blood test at the same time? Regardless, follow up with a blood test 12 weeks after the symptoms appeared.

[TheGiftThatKeepsOnGiving19]

Why should I do that? are blood test not accurate?

[WilsoInAus]

It would seem that your culture was not typed. If you had a blood test at the time of the first lesions and was positive for HSV-1, then that would indicate you've had HSV-1 for a while and the genital symptoms may be caused by HSV-2. Hence it is best to remove that possibility.

Was the swab correctly typed or just found to be HSV positive? It is an IgG test for HSV-1 we are talking about that was positive? How many lesions did you get? Have you ever had oral cold sores?

[TheGiftThatKeepsOnGiving19]

The culture was not typed, just found to be HSV positive. I would have to check with the doctor if it was an IgG test. All the doctor said was that the blood work showed type1. I had two lesions, and I have never had oral cold sores.

[blistering love]

Hello there,

It does get better! The best thing to do is arm yourself with knowledge, confide in a friend or counselor for the emotional parts and basically just look after yourself by striving for optimal health,PMS= Physical, mental and social aspects. Everyone in life gets a few bad cards, it's not so much the cards that are the issue, its how you tackle them that determines your fate and happiness. Its basically a harmless virus, but can be irritating and slightly painful.Thankfully, over time if you do experience other outbreaks, they will be much milder and depending on your immune system, they won't stick around for too long!  I have HSV1 genitally as well! What helped me to put it in perspective was finding out that the whole population of Australia = genital herpes sufferers in the US! Those numbers don't include HSV 1.So never feel alone, there are plenty of people that you know that most likely have it,friends,doctors,nurses,family members, even past lovers. 

It takes time to accept, but it will happen. Continue enjoying your life, and keep yourself busy.I wish i had of done that, sitting alone for hours thinking and dwelling about anything  can make you go nuts. Make sure you exercise as much as possible, the endorphins will make you feel amazing, and they can produce feelings similar to morphine- which is true because i had an awful ulcer in my mouth, went on my cross trainer, and the pain subsided! If you have an outbreak and find it too constrictive  to wear tight leggings for a long duration, go for a swim instead, the salt water will help heal it up faster. 

“The problem is not the problem.

The problem is your attitude about the problem

. Do you understand?” Captain Jack Sparrow