How to tell my boyfriend...

Hi, so my boyfriend is positive for herpes simplex 1, which I knew as he has been my friend for many years before we started dating. We had oral sex about a week ago and the next morning he had a coldsore pop up... I now have several sores on my vagina, went to a clinic and have now tested positive for simplex 1 as well... But on my genitals... I'm uncomfortable telling him... Should I be?

[gracefromHHP]

why not just  be up front and honest about it?

Let him know that you recently developed genital symptoms so you went to be seen and found out that you have hsv1 genitally.  

grace

[Ladypunk122]

Yeah thats what I was thinking... Its just kind of an awkward topic hahaha

[gracefromHHP]

he's there to support you when you need him- tell him because you need his support as much as anything :)

[Ladypunk122]

Thanks Grace... I'll definitely talk to him about it tonight...
While I have your attention, do you think an oatmeal bath would help soothe this initial breakout? I can't tale painkillers due to a drug sensitivity, and I dont really want to use any topical ointments as I know that in order to heal, these buggers need to breathe... I'm taking Valtrex but they are SO ITCHY! :(

[gracefromHHP]

you can't take tylenol and/or advil?  you can alternate them to get pain relief comparable to some narcotics.

dermoplast spray ( the blue can for the genital area, not the red can ) is a spray on topical anesthestic you can get for under $10 at most drug stores. You spray it on for pain relief on the lesions.

yes , oatmeal baths or epsom salts in the water when bathing is soothing too :)

[Ladypunk122]

Nope, no tylenol, advil, midol, naproxen, codeine, morphine, generic store brand pain killers, or oxycontin... Every single one of them has caused a seizure. And I have been tested for epilepsy and am considered to be "not in need of medication for my condition".
So oatmeal bathing it is.

[gracefromHHP]

well that certainly sucks :(

try the topical anesthetic too.

[Ladypunk122]

So the oatmeal bath was successful and I believe the sores are beginning to clear up. Theres A LOT less pain and it's just slightly itchy now. I got over my first ob way faster than what has been claimed on the internet! Started 5 days ago, and most of the sores seem to have burst and are crusting over. YAY!
So Grace, because I have hsv1 and NOT hsv2, but its on my genitals... Is there really any difference between the 2 strains at all?

[gracefromHHP]

the difference is recurrence rate and shedding rates. otherwise you can't tell the difference outside of the lab.