herpes 1 (oral or genital?) and very much scared

[keda444]

i am a 26 yr old female. just had a std test for everything and my Dr. advised me i was positive for herpes 1. My test was positive 4.49 for herpes 1 and negative for herpes 2. I was VERY scared when i heard this and upset. Wasn't filled in on if this is really serious or not.I was given no information. I've never had a cold sore before, but i am also have hpv. I dont seem to have any symptoms with herpes 1. I basically wanted to know if:
1) this is really serious?
2) i'm dealing with a new love and what is likelyhood of me passing it to him (assuming he doesn't have anything)?
3) I have changed my diet because i was scared but do i really need to cut out all sugars as some websites say? (i have been only allowing myself no more than 22grams of sugar a day)
4) Do i need to keep taking the generic version of valtrex? I been on it for a month now since diagnosed

[gracefromHHP]

also was your partner tested to know his own status?


statistically your hsv1 is oral. it's incredibly common and in the US alone about 60% of adults has hsv1. Most don't get obvious cold sores to know it.  http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_oralherpes.cfm  is a terrific website with info on hsv1 orally for good reading.

there is no such thing as a herpes diet. you do not need to change anything about your diet.

you aren't having symptoms so why did your provider put you on valtrex in the first place?


grace

[pb_max]

Herpes Simplex  1 is considered the cold sore herpes which usually causes fever blisters on and around the mouth. Your Doctor told you tested negative for HS2, Valtrex is a pescription medication for Herpes Simplex 2, not Herpes 1!!  how can you be on it for a month since you have been diagnosed?!?! For surley your doctor didnt pescribe it ... I have never seen any websites  claiming that a low sugar diet will help a viral infection of ANY herpes type. Herpes Simplex 1 is quite common many ppl have it ,some ways of catching it are, kissing, close contact, sharing eating utensils, ,some ppl are born with it(mother to child). From what I have researched most ppl who are infected with HS1 only about 10%actually develope sores. Breakouts can be caused by over exposure to the sun, stress,fever or a cold, or the flu, or just no apparent reason. when a person infected isnt hvaing an outbreak its goes dormant in the nerve roots called a ganglia(at the top of the spine) where it stays  escaping  the immune system. If a guy has herpes simplex 1 and give a woman oral sex it could be transmitted, from what I read the virus likes the area where the lips end and facial skin starts, as well as the vaginal area plus I think another post mentioned the possibility of "shedding " when so visible sings are present. For My Herpes Simplex 1 outbreaks I use the amino acid L - lysine(works really well) plus a topical ointment by Enzymatic Therapy called Cold Sore Relief which has Lemon Balm(Melissa extract) ,again from the research I did I found this to top all others plus the Lemon Balm decreases the likely hood of future outbreaks dramatically

[LeapofFaith]

The question is, did you ever experience genital symptoms of Herpes?  If not, there is a chance that the the HSV-1 virus you have is oral.  But you say you've never had a cold sore.  If you have never had any symptoms or oral or genital herpes, than its tough to say which is infected.  HSV-1 is more common orally, however.  

To answer your questions as best I can:

(1) HSV-1 orally is not serious.  Its simply the virus that causes cold sores.  However, oral sex with a cold sore can cause genital herpes.  If it is HSV-1 genitally, than it gets a bit more serious (obviously in no way life-threatening).  If you're infected with HSV-1, precautions should be made to avoid spreading the virus to others (taking prescription drugs to fight the virus, always using protection, making your partner aware of the infection, etc...)

(2) The likelihood of you passing the virus on (if you have it), depends on the precautions you take.  If you have no active symptoms, the chances are lessened.  But there is such a thing as viral shedding, a period during which there are no symptoms but the virus can be spread via skin-to-skin contact.  You should always use protection during sex, and make sure your new love is aware of the infection.  It's only fair to him.  You both should also get regular (yearly) checkups/bloodworks, to see if he's acquired the virus.

(3) I've never heard of any diet changes required for genital herpes.  But don't take my word for it.

(4) That is a question for your doctor.