Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

HSV-1 Support/Advice

In September I began to see a new guy.  A few weeks after we had intercourse I started having itching in the vaginal area and then had what I thought could be a tear as he is bigger than I am use to. It wasn’t as bad as anything that people have described herpes to be and I had never had an outbreak before.  I went to the OBGYN and she stated that it could just be a tear but she was obligated to test me for HSV just to be on the safe side.  A week later she informed me that I in fact had HSV-1 and that I most likely received it from someone who had given me oral and I contracted it from their mouth.  She did the blood text show and was able to determine I came into contact with this infection within the last 3 months. (How accurate is this test?)  On the side of caution I had my Dr. prescribe Acyclovir twice daily even though she stated that I will likely never have another outbreak.

I was devastated and I had to tell the bf about it.  He took it very well and seemed to know quite a bit about HSV-1 vs. HSV-2.  He stated that he had a cold sore as a child but then never again had one so he couldn’t catch it from me since he already had it.  However, he refused to admit that it came from him and instead claimed I got it from the man I was seeing before him.  This could be true but I was with that guy on and off for 3 years and never got anything from him so I am 99.98% sure that I got it from the new guy.   We have since broken things off for reasons unrelated to this matter and he is in a new relationship with someone else.

Everything that I have read about HSV-1 tells me that I am very unlikely to transmit this to a partner and if I do it is most likely they will receive it on their mouth while giving me oral and that is only if I am “shedding” or having an outbreak.  I would certainly never have intercourse of any kind with an active outbreak.  However, there is no way to know when I am “shedding”.  I also believe that the medication will help in both of these matters. I am having a hard time with this because I feel like he has moved on and can be happy (more than likely spreading that I have this and didn’t get it from him) and I am now tainted and will never be able to find anyone who will have me after this.

The information that I have gotten from this site is a little on the old side but I seem to be getting the same information on each site that I visit regarding the matter. I am devastated, having a ton of anxiety over this and would almost rather not be living as I now do not know why I am even on this earth if I can’t accomplish the things in life that I want….which is to have a family.  I just wanted to vent about this and maybe get some advice, Please??
13 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
1998092 tn?1391242845
I also responded to your private message. The Lysine won't hurt you at all. However, it also might not help. We're all different in our reactions to the topicals. I've heard good things about other topicals as well, such as Abreva, Releev, and Dermoplast, which folks use both above and below the waist successfully. One of them might work for you as well. Hugs - I know the initial diagnosis is tough, and your emotions are running high. Just know that things do get better as time passes, both physically and emotionally, for the majority of us.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
(HSV-1 Looks like a paper cut)Treating GHSV-1 outbreak at home???

I have what looks like a paper cut and I'm assuming its a small breakout because I've read post where people say that HSV-1 can manifest that way and it's in the same area as my initial outbreak.  I've been taking my meds but I have also been stressing out a ton this week so I'm not surprised. :-(
QUESTION:  what can I do at home to reduce the pain and length of an outbreak?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
(HSV-1 Looks like a paper cut)Treating GHSV-1 outbreak at home???

I have what looks like a paper cut and I'm assuming its a small breakout because I've read post where people say that HSV-1 can manifest that way and it's in the same area as my initial outbreak.  I've been taking my meds but I have also been stressing out a ton this week so I'm not surprised. :-(
QUESTION:  what can I do at home to reduce the pain and length of an outbreak?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I sent you a message but I'm not sure I know how to tell if and when you reply.  I went to the dr today for anxiety meds.  I'm letting this break up & this diagnoses bring me down in the worst way.

I also received a larger dose of my reg anti viral for the next 5 days because I have a paper cut like cut on the same area where my initial outbreak was.  I picked up some lysin (sp?) cream in the lip treatment area...will this help it hurt me? What do you do to treat an outbreak at home the fastest and most painless way?
Helpful - 0
1998092 tn?1391242845
Hello dear - I got your note, and I'm sorry I'm just now logging on. Please, please, please be gentle with yourself. You are not alone, and you're far from doomed.

Yes, it seems you already know most of your answers. Your doctor told you you contracted genital HSV-1 in the last 3 months, probably because your blood test came back either negative or equivocal for antibodies (less than 1.09), while your swab came back positive. So it was someone you were with no earlier than 3 months ago - September - which sure sounds like the new guy.

The problem with statistics is that there's no guarantee you won't be that "less than 1%" who transmits. The risk is never zero. However, you're right, you can reduce the risk tremendously by (1) always disclosing before every sexual contact, (2) getting on suppressive (daily) antiviral therapy, (3) using a condom/barrier with every sexual contact, and (4) abstaining whenever you feel any symptoms at all. On top of the fact that genital HSV-1 sheds less than either oral HSV-1 or genital HSV-2, your risk is indeed pretty low if you take all these steps.

And on top of that, about 65% of the population already has HSV-1 in their systems, though most don't know it. These folks will not contract your HSV-1 a second time, unless theirs is a new infection. (It's possible to autoinoculate - pass the virus from one part of the body to the other with your fingers - within the first 4 months following diagnosis. Wash your hands with soap and water after touching a lesion, as soap and water kills the virus instantly.

As for having a family - many, many women who have genital herpes go on to live life in loving relationships, marry wonderful people and have healthy children. HSV is not a barrier to a fulfilling life. You will be no exception.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I know I'm pestering. I have what looks like a paper cut and I'm assuming its a small breakout because I've read post where people say that HSV-1 can manifest that way and it's in the same area as my initial outbreak.  I've been taking my meds but I have also been stressing out a ton this week so I'm not surprised. :-(
QUESTION:  what can I do at home to reduce the pain and length of an outbreak?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I forgot to mention that yes, I've read over the stats 100 times thanks to my anxiety.  I listed in a nut  shell what I've learned above and I wanted to make sure that I interpreted things correctly.  I just want to make sure I'm well informed and spoke with someone who actually knows what I'm going through.
The guy that knew I had it (I thought it came from here) is already with someone and flaunting it.  I keep worrying that nobody will want to be with me when they hear this and he gets to move on and be happy.  Again...I realize it sounds silly.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It may be silly but I just know the social stigma of herpes and fear having to tell anyone.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am sorry you're having so much anxiety. That will reduce with time, you won't feel so freaked out by it. Have you looked up the statistics on herpes? It's very very common. A good portion aren't even aware they have it. Herpes is everywhere and HPV is even more wide-spread. Why do you think you won't have a family? That's pretty silly. Of course you will! If Herpes or HPV prevented people from having families we'd become extinct pretty swiftly.

I have HSV1 genitally If it makes you feel better I have been with my hubby for 7 years and as far as I know, he doesn't have it. Either that or he doesn't show symptoms. I told him within 3 weeks of our relationship that I have Herpes. He was a bit worried but quickly got over it and was like, "Can we have sex now?" lol :)

Btw, HSV1 is not as bad as HSV2 by any means. It's the 'mild' version.
Helpful - 0
3149845 tn?1506627771
Your pretty much correct.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Do you know anymore about it or do I have it pretty much correct??
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I do not have a copy of the test results.  She did the swab test first and then after the nurse called to inform me it was type 1 I made another appointment and went into speak with the dr.  Then she did the blood test stating that they could tell if I had contracted this within the last 3 months.  She stated that most of my past partners have already been exposed to this if I already had it or possibly by another partner they had so there was no need to contact them.  I assume it was the new guy because the outbreak was so close to after we had sex.

I know that I have had HSV testing in the past 3 years and it was negative.  However, my Dr. did tell me that the blood test could always show a false negative. I was told by a friend that she was told that if you are  sexually active now than you have it or have been exposed to it in some way. Either Orally or Genitally.  So I guess if that is true and what you are saying there really is no way for me to know who and where I received this.  I assumed it was the new guy because it happened so soon after we began to be active in that way.

I didn't dispute that I have it.  The swab test showed it and the blood test also confirmed it.  I just am in awe of the recent stats that I have been reading online.  Bear with me  What I have read stated that HSV is only transmittable when there is an active outbreak or "shedding".  Oral HSV-1 sheds about 12 days a year and Genital HSV-1 even lest than that and the fact that I am meds will decrease that chance even more.... Is this correct?  Is it also correct that  there is a slight chance that I can give it to someone orally and an even smaller chance that I would give it to someone genital to genital and that there is a smaller portion of men with genital hsv-1 than there are women with it.

I also find it strange that I didn't get it on my mouth since that is the site of preference and I am certain to have kissed or given oral to the person who gave it to me.  A friend has it orally and gave it to her bf orally.  That is the only person she is aware that she gave it to in all her years of dating.
Helpful - 0
3149845 tn?1506627771
Hi if only a blood test was done you dont know if your hsv1 is oral or genital. To determine this you need to swab a sore for a culture. Also with a blood test there is no way to determine when you got it or from whom. If your score was from a herpes select type specific and the value number were under 3 it might be a recent infection and you could conclude thats its genital but again thats not certain.
dave
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Herpes Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.