New to genital herpes: could use some insight.

[stay_positive]

Hi,

I need some help recognizing my outbreaks and understanding this disease. I guess I will start by introducing my case:

I am a 23 year old female, and I was recently diagnosed with genital herpes. It has been a very hard thing for me to deal with. I haven't had many partners and am only sexually active with those I'm interested in. I contracted it orally from a guy I was seeing. He had no signs of (a) cold sores and swears he didn't have any at the time.

I feel lost when it comes to recognizing the virus. My first outbreak a month ago (around May 10) was extremely painful and hard to cope with. Just after my period this month, and about 8-9 days ago, I think I had another one- my symptoms that I noticed were: dry/flaky looking skin around the vulva, redness, and one bump that looked like a small mosquito bite. Oh, and severe depression. I started my 3 day treatment of valaciclovir, which I was prescribed to by my general practitioner. Is it normal to have another outbreak so close to my initial one?

So, today, I have had A LOT of discharge (no smell, no redness, no itching, no soreness) and was wondering if this is ever a sign of an outbreak coming on for anyone.

Also - should I start regularly seeing a Gynecologist? Or is there any specialist for this condition that could help enlighten me and help me feel more at ease?

And - are there home / natural treatments to help minimize or prevent outbreaks? Things to avoid? Things to add to my diet? Any medications anyone recommends?

I know everyone is different with this virus. Any and all insight welcome.

xx

[Life360_Dave]

Might not be a bad idea for your discharge, its always good to have a check up once in awhile

[stay_positive]

Should I see an OB/GYN?

[stay_positive]

Thanks for your insight. I hope I don't ever have another one.
Xx

[Life360_Dave]

Hi yes it is. but to have genital herpes, hsv1 is the one to have. After the first outbreak it rarely returns and only sheds about 3% of the time.
Having genital irritations after a period would more likely be fungal related then a second hsv1 outbreak.
Only taking antivirals would help but as mentioned, your not likley to have others after the first one.

[stay_positive]

Oral sex is how I contracted it. My doctor swabbed my lesions and sent the tests off to a lab.
Both viruses can live in both places. Hsv1 is typically associated with oral herpes and hsv2 is associated with genital, but this is not always the case. Apparently, genital hsv1 is on the rise.

[Life360_Dave]

Hi how did you test positive for genital hsv1?