Genital HSV-1

I have just been recently diagnosed with genital hsv-1, quite a shock since I caught it from my boyfriend of four years.  It seems that he performed oral sex on me just on the wrong day, he had no symptoms of a cold sore at the time although he has had them in the past.  Anyway, from what I've been reading it is less likely to have recurrences with HSV-1, and if there are recurrences, that they are much less frequent than with HSV-2.  So I have two questions relating to that:

1)  If I have just experienced my first outbreak, is it safe to assume that I won't be having outbreaks every few months, or even weeks, like those infected with HSV-2?  Is it true that my outbreaks will probably come about twice a year at most?

2) If my symptoms during this first outbreak weren't horrific, like I have heard many others are, can I expect them to be less severe in the future, or is there a possibility that they will be worse?

Thank you for any answers.

[daisy315]

Since HSV1 genitally is not the usual Site of prefererence for this type you can expect to have little more than what you already experienced,also since you and your boyfriend both have it now there is no need to worry as far as protection is concerned however you can still get it Orally as well but it's doubtful either will cause anything too troublesome for you. HSV is a very variable condition and can differ from one individual to another,you will just have to wait and see how it affects you,best thing is to not think too much about it or stress over it which innitself will keep it at bay,Herpes loves stress!  
If you move from this relationship though remember you can still contract HSV2 having HSV1 doesn't prevent this.

Daisy  

[need2know631]

In addition to this first question, I have another.  I know obviously not to have sex during an outbreak, which I can't see how you could even want to.  But thats besides the point- I'm concerned to have sex again once this clears up because I'm scared it will trigger another outbreak.  Does anyone have any advice or knowledge about this?  Will I still be able to have sex regularly without worrying about it triggering another outbreak?

[gracefromHHP]

Your recurrences should be few and far between. It's not unusual to get another ob within 2 months of the first one but other than that you shouldn't be bothered too much by hsv1 genitally.

How did they test you for hsv? Did you have a lesion culture and typing that said hsv1?

Don't hesitate to use lube too if you normally don't the first few times you have sex after this.  If you are nervous about it all, you might not have enough lube naturally to make sex comfortable those first few times until you start feeling more normal both mentally and physically.

grace

[need2know631]

I was tested by a culture swab from my lesions on my genital area.  I am really upset by this to be quite honest because this is the only person I have ever been with, and like I mentioned earlier in the post I know that he has had cold sores in the past and that this infection came from oral sex.  My worry is though, that why now?  My boyfriend and I have engaged in oral sex plenty of times over the past several years, and this coming up all of a sudden worries me that perhaps something is wrong with my immune system.  Or is it just because it just happened to be the exact right day, and that over the past three years I've avoided the days that his virus was asymptomatically shedding?  Another question, if I got this virus so unusually (or at least this seems unusual to me) should I be more worried about having recurrences in the future?  Thank you for any insight you can provide, I am just very new to this and I am so confused as to why this is happening because I am seriously one of the most paranoid people ever when it comes to this stuff and I NEVER thought this would happen to me.

[gracefromHHP]

Hsv1 genitally is pretty darn common ( 1/3 of all newly acquired genital herpes infections are due to hsv1 )- nothing unusual about it. You were just unlucky enough to contract it that day from oral sex.  Your body's defensese were down and conditions were right for the virus to infect you genitally while your bf was actively shedding hsv1 orally and performed oral sex on you.  It could've happened the very first time he performed oral sex on you, 10 years into the relationship or of course never. Nothing wrong with your immune system - just bad luck :(  

grace

[need2know631]

wow what an embarassing question, but I'm gonna post it anyways.  Is it okay to shave your bikini area as long as you're not having an outbreak?

[gracefromHHP]

As long as you aren't having an ob it's fine to do so.

grace

[heartsandkisses]

Hi Need2know631

I was just recently diagnosed and I was in shock too! I just wanted to let you know you're not alone! and to message me whenever. I've been with my boyfriend for a year and a half and was just diagnosed now. I never thought it would happen to me either. And being the paranoid person I am..I'm just as worried as you are to have sex again, and how to be able to tell when I'm having an outbreak!

Good luck with everything! and feel free to message me, when you're having one of those paranoid moments. Perhaps we can help each other understand this!

[need2know631]

Okay, question:  I have been prescribed acyclovir for my herpes outbreak, and this is my seventh out of the ten days on it.  Is it safe to drink alchol while taking acyclovir?  There are no precautions in regard to this on the drug label.  Thanks!

[gracefromHHP]

Do you think I could be this pleasant if you couldn't drink alcohol while taking acyclovir? lol

grace

[need2know631]

Haha, my thoughts exactly! Thanks again for all your help!

[need2know631]

Is it safe to use tampons still?

[gracefromHHP]

Sure is :)

grace

[need2know631]

I have another question.  I know I initially acquired HSV-1 from my boyfriend's oral infection when he was asymptomatically shedding the virus.  Obviously I know not to receive oral sex while he has a cold sore, but my question is :  Can I have another outbreak from him performing oral sex on me while he is asymptomatically shedding, or is that only applicable to initially acquiring the virus?  Thanks for any info!

[auntiejessi]

That only happens with the initial infection.

AJ

[need2know631]

Oh my gosh so I am FREAKING OUT!!!!  As I mentioned in my very first post I was diagnosed with genital HSV-1 about two weeks ago.  My initial symptoms appeared about a week after my boyfriend performed oral sex on me, with one small red bump appearing on my labia.  Then, the next day a second red bump appeared on the other side of my labia.  By the weekend, about two days later, four bumps had appeared around my rectum (which I'm still confused why because NOTHING ever goes down towards that area in our relationship).  Then within two days after those bumps the bumps on my labia turned from one bump into a little cluster of bumps, which I have come to understand is the typical stage.  Around a week after the very first bump appeared all of my bumps broke open, and then healed by Saturday, which was a week and one day ago from today.  So, in conclusion my outbreak first occurred, and then healed, within a course of about ten days.  My concern now is, a week later after they have healed, I think they are coming back! I am still not sure, but I am concerned as I am having some general discomfort in the areas in which the lesions occurred.  I just finished my period, and don't know if this may be a factor? Anyway, I got on Acyclovir six days after my very first bump appeared, took three pills a day for ten days as directed by the doctor, and just completed that round of medication last thursday. I am so scared, so I have two questions:

1) Is it normal for a second round of blisters to appear during the initial outbreak?  Will I need to go see a doctor for a second round of meds?

2) Does this mean I am going to be one of the unlucky few that have constant recurrent outbreaks with HSV-1 genitally?!

[auntiejessi]

Hi there -

Breathe lol.

This is totally common, and doesn't indicate anything.  Herpes is brand new to your body, so you don't yet have antibodies to help keep things in check.  After this round, things should calm down a lot.

Since you have another outbreak, you should call and get some more meds.  Ask your doctor for refills, so you can have some on hand for another outbreak, and won't have to contact your doctor each time.

Aj

[need2know631]

I have two questions:

1.  Does herpes (genital HSV-1) have any affect on fertility?  Will having this virus in any way hinder my ability to conceive and have children?

2.  Does herpes have any influence in cervical cancer?

[gracefromHHP]

No to both questions :)

grace

[need2know631]

Just today I noticed when removing my tampon that I had a small, hard bump on the skin that leads to the opening of my vagina.  It isn't on the labia, but rather its directly on the entrance to my vagina.  I am hoping that maybe its just another outbreak of my herpes infection, but I'm concerned because it doesn't look or feel like my previous outbreak, and it isn't on the same area as my other outbreaks.  I am pretty positive that I have no risk for having contracted genital warts or anything like that, so I am very confused.  Could this be a recurrence?  Thanks for any possible info, I know its not possible to diagnose something over the internet, and I plan to go to the doctor next week ( I am going out of town this weekend).  

[need2know631]

I have a question.  Today I was just checking to see if everything was normal down there, so I felt around my labia with my fingers.  Everything seemed normal, which was good.  So I came back in my room and washed my hands, and then put in my contacts.  There isn't anyway I could get occular herpes from this is there?  I mean, I definitely don't think I'm having an o.b. and I washed my hands before putting in my contacts. Thanks.

[need2know631]

See previous post of mine please, then read this!

And now, this morning my right eye, which is the eye I put my contacts in first is kind of red in between the iris and my tear duct.  Herpes wouldn't pop up overnight in my eye, would it?  Please, please, please answer!  I am so scared that I'm going to have herpes of the eye, even though I did wash my hands- but I washed them with just a regular bar soap and hot water, not antibacterial soap.  I am so worried, is this a possibility of spreading herpes to my eye from my genital infection, even if I don't have any apparent genital symptoms, and I washed my hands after touching myself "down there"?  Please reply!

[gracefromHHP]

You washed your hands before putting in your contacts. You are fine from a herpes standpoint :)

grace

[need2know631]

I have two questions.  I live at the beach so both these are fairly important to me.

1.  I read somewhere that tanning in a tanning bed can cause outbreaks.  Is this true?  Would wearing underwear reduce the chance if there is one?  And also, does being out in the sun, like at the beach, affect this?

2.  Is it still okay to swim in the ocean/pool/river?  Will this cause me to have an ob?

Thanks again!

[gracefromHHP]

Yes uv light is a trigger for oral herpes for many folks. For some folks it's a trigger for genital herpes too.  You can try wearing bottoms while tanning if you find that it's a trigger for you.

Yes you can swim anywhere you want :)  It's not an issue.

grace

[need2know631]

Well thanks, thats good to know but I just won't risk it- Mystic Tan won't cause skin cancer either so its a safe bet I guess!  But I'm still not clear on whether or not being out in the natural sun, like sunbathing at the pool would affect my genital herpes?  Thanks.

[gracefromHHP]

For most folks it's not a trigger for genital herpes. Play it by ear and see how it goes for you. If you do naked tanning for the most part and it seems to be triggering ob's switch to wearing bottoms and see if that goes better.

grace

[need2know631]

So I was just wondering, this may sound like a dumb question, but how can I know if I'm having an outbreak?  I mean I'm pretty sure that I would feel it cause it hurt with the first one when they broke open and scabbed over, but I'm just worried that I won't be able to tell if I'm having one and then I'll transfer it to my partner.  Also, is it definitely true that its highly unlikely for me to give Genital HSV-1 to my partner through sexual intercourse? Thanks!

[Echo28]

Safe sex is a great way to combat passing it on to your partner. It is likely you could pass it on to your partner through intercourse because all HSV 1 needs is skin on skin contact for transmission. Just be careful and wear a condom.

[Echo28]

When you have an outbreak you will probably feel some discomfort in the specific area. A burning sensation is pretty common way to know symptoms are occuring. Do not try to disturb that area it will only get worse! Go see a doctor and get some meds. Also wear loose clothing so you don't disturb that area. With meds it should go away rather quick.

[need2know631]

is it safe for people with herpes to get waxed in the genital area (of course not during an outbreak, i know)?  could this in any way trigger an outbreak? thanks.

[gracefromHHP]

For some folks it does trigger an ob. Only time will tell how it will affect you.

grace

[need2know631]

Hi, I haven't posted in a while, but I have a quick question- I am an avid protein shake drinkker, and I usually have at least one a day as breakfast or a snack.  I have always used a certain brand of whey protein whose ingredients/nutrition don't include L-Arginine, and I was looking to switch to another brand, whose nutritional breakdown contains around 1400 grams of L-Lysine per serving, and 400 grams of L-Arginine per serving. Is this protein powder a good choice for me? I was just wondering if the amount of Arginine could be bad because I know it has effects on triggering outbreaks? If you could provide an opinion I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks

[gracefromHHP]

Not much that you do should trigger you to have more hsv1 recurrences.  BV is the biggest trigger, not diet.

grace

[need2know631]

Sorry this might be a stupid question but what does BV stand for?

[gracefromHHP]

bacterial vaginosis.  you can google it for more info.

grace