22&Depressed

@Amando thank you! That’s what I thought! Dating someone in the same boat as you takes off so much anxiety wow

Hey there! Sooo this might be a silly question but I need clarity! I was diagnosed with GHSV1 in August. Minor OB and thankfully I have not had another or any signs or symptoms since. I recently started dating someone who has OHSV1 (a long history of it) and I was wondering...if they perform oral on me, can that trigger an OB? Im not having an OB and its unlikely I will have one this weekend (when we see each other) but if they already have the virus too, can they get an OB from that? Also, do we know what the chances are of transmission via sex if they already have a long history of HSV1 in their system? With a condom? Without? I don't plan on ever taking antivirals unless it ever turns into a persistent issue! Thanks in advance!!!

Type 1 is significantly better. You may never have an OB again and if you do, it'll likely be once or twice a year (IF that). The shedding rates are a lot less and it is nearly impossible to transfer it genital to genital. Be happy 🙂

I know how you feel. I got diagnosed with GHSV1 in August and I fell into a very deep depression. I didn’t leave my apartment for about 2.5 weeks, my family almost had me committed for the things I was saying to them, I thought my life was over. It gets better with time. It hasn’t even been that long and I already feel so much better just from doing a lot of research. My whole family has HSV1 but orally and guess what? We actually have better statistics than them! They both OB nearly once every other month (30 and 55) whereas our recurrences and rates of transmission to others genitals’ is way less. We have a more MILD version of the ‘cold sore’ virus just on another body part. That’s the truth and hopefully thinking like that will make you feel better. Some days I completely forget I have it, other days are worse where I panic...so it comes and goes! But for the most part, I’ve realized it’s practically a non issue. Reach out whenever if you need to talk

I have this too. It’s dishydrotic eczema. I had from long before I got GHSV1

That’s okay! That’s what I was trying to say. Its like, if anyone has MORE so of an obligation (though everyone should have the same obligation), it should be those who have oral HSV1. Thanks for addressing that 😊

So only if she has a reason to believe it’s genital she should disclose? Isn’t that the double standard and stigma we’re trying to eliminate? Especially given the fact that it recurs more/sheds more/is more likely to transmit from the oral location? This is the problem. No one thinks anyone who has HSV1 is obliged to disclose when they are the ones spreading it to genitals. The logic in this is absurd. And what you said above perpetuates it. Im not attacking you at all I’m just pointing out that this is the very issue in society that makes those who have (really) the better combo of HSV1 and it’s location feel worse about themselves. I had a tough time coming to terms with disclosing my HSV location but now that I have because I want to, others who do have GHSV1 shouldn’t feel that they have to disclose their same virus just because it’s on their genitals - EVERYONE should disclose. @RainyGal if you’ve never had an OB but test positive for it, I wouldn’t disclose. Unless you want to. In which case it could be something something done in passing.

@New2GH or just saying you haven't really experienced anything yet anywhere

@Amando @Elle27 thats the problem! They wouldn't walk away from someone who has cold sores and its the same thing but actually LESS of a risk. Its like they'd actually be significantly more at risk if I did have them orally...I just feel like if you have HSV1, you have HSV1. Its one virus. The fact that a certain location can throw people off is boggling. About letting someone decide for their own health, I totally agree and thats why I said Im 100% about telling people I carry the HSV1 virus. They can make their decision from there. But alas, its still a dilemma

Backstory: I got diagnosed with GHSV1 in August after a very mild outbreak (3 bumps, no pain, no tingling, no itching, no sickness, etc.). I have not had a recurrent outbreak since. Now that I am thinking about dating again, I am having a moral dilemma. I believe in disclosing you carry the virus. Whether it’s oral or genital, you are putting somewhat at a potential risk so ALWAYS disclose that you test positive for HSV. What I am on the fence about is disclosing *where* I get (got, as of now I don’t know if it’ll ever come back) the virus. At the end of the day, people who have it orally are putting others at WAY greater of a risk. I was recently speaking to a new guy and I told him I carry the HSV1 virus. He did not care at all as most people who say that and think of cold sores don’t make a big deal of it. To me, that is disclosing. I told them I have HSV1 and to look it up. They should be more cautious if I were to have it orally as that is 99/100 times the risk for transmission. They are assuming the risk if they accept it regardless of the location it manifests when I’m putting them at less of a risk than the 80% of the world carrying it orally who do or don’t know they even have it. What are your thoughts on disclosing you have HSV1 but not disclosing where? NOTE: I don’t feel like being flamed for this. I want to hear from others who have GHSV1 and what they think about this and what their policy on disclosure is. Also, please don’t say “if it’s not as big of a risk having it genitally, why don’t you just tell them where it is”. Unfortunately, most people are ignorant and just don’t understand these things unless you live through it.

Did they take a swab of it at the time to confirm its HSV1 and not HSV2? Yes, while GHSV1 is supposed to me milder than HSV2 and oral HSV1, I think it varies person to person so its still possible. I dont think theres any correct answer as to whether its normal to have 3 to 4 HSV1 outbreaks a month because of this - everyones body is different. I've read a lot of stories about people with GHSV1 outbreaks frequently and some who get 1 every few years. Do your best to be your healthiest and definitely speak to a health professional about what youre experiencing

@mr_hopp @Notgoingthere thank you! Ya I feel like Ive definitely had this before, just now that I've been diagnosed I've been panicking about little things. Also, yesterday I masturbated and showered and then noticed 3 little "freckles" at the tip of my penis. I have definitely not had them forever. Is this an outbreak? They're little brown dots, they don't hurt at all and they're not raised. I definitely had no sensation or tingling on my penis before and they also didn't show up as sores or anything. They literally look like freckles. Any explanation for this?

I know Im most likely being paranoid but I gotta ask... I was diagnosed with GHSV1 in August. I had my initial very mild OB which went within a few days and have not had any OBs/symptoms since. Today I felt a little bump inside my left nostril. When I touch it, it hurts. Classic Im freaking out. Can you get herpes INSIDE your nose? If so, is that what its like? It just feels like one bump inside on the wall of my nostril and it hurts when I put pressure on it. @mr_hopp

I am a male with GHSV1 too, but I hear that for women your period is really triggering for it to OB. Maybe speak to your doctor about upping your dosage around your time of month! Sorry you're going through this 😞

Got a rimjob from a guy I was dating and then felt 3 little bumps a few days later in the shower. Got it swabbed the next day and was positive for HSV1. Live and learn. Today I was with my cousins and my cousins having a pretty bad oral outbreak. Just reminds me I have the same thing in another area and thats okay 🙂