How do I move on with my life, now that I know that I have hsv1 gentially?

Hi! I'm a 24 yrs old Female, and my question is could you still have a normal sex life with hsv1 genitally?  I was told that hsv1 orally or genitally is not really that big of a deal but, I can't help but keep on worrying about transmitting this to some through intercourse. I never even had sex before, I caught hsv1 through oral sex.  I feel so dumb.  Is it true that  all the precautions you would have to take with a partner that has hsv1 orally, is to not have sex with them if you have an outbreak and any other time the risk is really low just use a condom with them?  

What do you do in the case that you are with a partner that doesn't have hsv1 antibodies?  Is it the same as with someone who has hsv1 or do you have to take medication to reduce risk?  I have heard that medication is not really recommended for hsv1 genitally though?

[gracefromHHP]

yes you can and should have a normal sex life with genital herpes :)

Talk to your partner about their status and make sure they get tested. you can still contract hsv2 ( and other std's too of course ) so knowing your partner's status is important. if your partner has hsv1, it's not likely you'd transmit your genital hsv1 to them but still whenever you have obvious genital symptoms, avoid sex until they are gone to err on the side of caution.  Even if your partner doesn't have hsv1 already, odds are you won't transmit it if you avoid sex during symptoms. discuss whether condoms are worthwhile or not too and use them properly - when the clothes come off, the condom goes on whether it's time for penetration or not at that time.  

keep asking questions!

grace

[dina0987]

Thank you for your response, it helped me a lot.  I was also wondering if having sex can bring out a  outbreak, or is that only if you have hsv2?

[gracefromHHP]

usually sex isn't a trigger for folks.  

you should actually be more surprised when your hsv1 reoccurs, not when it doesn't.

[dina0987]

My first outbreak was April 10 and I haven't had any symptoms since, should I assume I might never get another out break or that 1or 2 outbreaks might come back in 1or2 years later and nothing else after that?

Do you have to take suppressive therapy while trying to get pregnant with a partner that is negative for Hsv1?  What about a partner that has Hsv1 already?

Do you have to take suppressive therapy while having sex with a partner negative for hsv1 in general?

I heard that suppressive therapy is not really recommended for hsv1 genitally anyway, how true is this?

Is it true that your not obligated to tell your partner that you have hsv1 genitally, just as long as you get tested together and they can see for themselves that you have hsv1.

Thank you for your time

[dina0987]

PS: Can you still engage in 4play with hsv1 genital?  Is it safe for a partner to touch your private area?

[dina0987]

PS: Can you still engage in 4play with hsv1 genital?  Is it safe for a partner to touch your private area?

[gracefromHHP]

yes you should still be discussing your hsv1 genital status with your partner. since you can still contract hsv2, talking about what you know you have is a good way to get a partner to talk about their own std history and testing.  

since hsv1 genitally only sheds a little over a dozen days out of the year total, treating it every single day isn't really getting a lot of bang for your buck.  You can transmit it to a partner but the risk of doing so is low.  If a partner has hsv1 orally, it's very unlikely they'd contract it later on genitally.

yes you can still engage in foreplay.  mutual masturbation is incredibly low risk in general.

grace

[hsv1inSF]

Hello.

I am a female that was just diagnosed with genital HSV-1 (via tissue sample and blood test taken during my outbreak).  I contracted this from oral sex with a partner that had a minor sore on his bottom lip that he thought was a cigarette burn or sunburn.  We had unprotected vaginal sex as well, though due to the diagnosis, we assume he just has oral HSV-1.  It was a very bad outbreak for me that lasted 2.5 weeks, and another 1.5 weeks with residual pain and light period-like discharge.  I've chosen to take Valtrex daily.

1) With this partner, who we assume has oral HSV-1 but not HSV-2, can we have oral and vaginal sex with no condoms with little to no risk of transmitting anything new to each other?
2) With new partners who are negative for any STIs/STDs, should I always use a condom and dental dam for vaginal and oral sex?  And not have sex at all if an outbreak recurs?  AND, is oral kissing completely safe?  I have never had a cold sore on my mouth (thus I suppose I never had the HSV-1 antibodies).
3) I am in the middle of laser hair removal treatment in the bikini area.  Having genital HSV-1, is it safe to continue treatments?  Will three more sessions increase my chances for another outbreak?  Am I obligated to let the clinic know that I have genital HSV-1?

THANKS for your help.

[Mistakeguy789]

hsv1inSF,

You should post your own question and not on the one of others.  My quick response is below but post your own question for more info.

1) Never assume.  Get him tested to find out his status.  

2) Discuss with your partners your status.  If your HSV-1 is confined to your genital you are not going to spread HSV-1 with kissing only genital contact.  HSV-1 genital doesn't reoccur that often generally speaking. You have HSV-1 anitbodies that is how you test postive on your blood test.

3) You may want to let the clinic know about your genital HSV-1 so the can take proper steps to protect themself (gloves are the best bet HSV-1 isn't blood bourne).  I can't asnwer #3 fully as I don't know much about laser hair removal.  Best to post your question and let grace look over it.