justagal85

Hi @amber13 I'm just like you, I just found out I have it but I've never had an outbreak. Don't worry, things will get better. The right person will accept you just as you are. When I found out and told my fiancé I was sure he would be horrified. He told me that he knows 1 out of 4 or 5 women has it and he wouldn't give me up for a stigmatized skin condition. If someone can't deal with a skin condition, then what happens if you lose a limb? that's how I think about it. In a way, I found that I should look on the bright side of the situation. Knowledge is power. If you get an OB, you can be calm and deal with it immediately, because you'll know what is going on. Can you imagine people who get the OB and don't know what the heck to do? I've been H+ for more than 6 years and never even knew. My partner is H- and I'm still shocked at HOW the heck that is possible.... but, it is. I've read that the same thing has happen with semi discordant couples with HIV and such, so I guess I shouldn't be shocked Well.. thanks for sharing your story with us, hope the disclosure to your beau goes well. -Justagal

I'm going to have to agree with @WCSDancer2010 here. I can't actually CONFIRM that those symptoms I experienced of redness were symptoms of an outbreak. I've never had an initial outbreak, and given that my fiancé is H- and I am H+, and I have not been with another man sexually since 2006 without seeing one blister in my LIFE makes me pretty asymptomatic... The redness, as you know, can be a sign of anything from BV to a yeast infection to a skin reaction to a pad or pantyliner.... There ARE many people who don't know, won't know, and I ONLY know because I asked for a test (that the doctors fought me on) because I wanted to know. Also, just to add, I'm HSV1+ as well. NEVER seen a cold sore on my mouth in my life.

Thank you :) I promise I will! You are great.

I touched myself down there and then I touched my nose when I went to reach for my towel. Now I'm terrified. I keep using hand sanitizer and washing my hands and washing all my towels. Am I going crazy? If HSV1 can spread to genitals, couldn't HSV2 spread to the face? (PS. Feel free to laugh at the newbie...!)

@abc123 Thank you for your response. I was so happy today to see some responses. I would love to read your story. How can I do that? Was your October outbreak your first one? Now that I have found out I am H+ I have looked to the past to try to see if I had a yeast infection like symptom that I overlooked. History has rung many bells. I recalled one time in December of 2012 that I became very red, almost raw, all around my labia and assumed it was a yeast infection. The itching drove me crazy -- I couldn't even sleep for a few nights. This was a very stressful period as I had to undergo some genetic testing for breast cancer and I was so down and stressed from it. I remember I got cultured at my doctor and the test came negative but I thought perhaps it could've been external only. I had used nystatin cream and it went away, but perhaps it wasn't the cream at all-- perhaps it was in fact an outbreak. Now that I think of it, it was very likely an outbreak of sorts but without the blisters that me (and so many others) are so inclined to think an outbreak would look like. As for my fiance, only time will tell because of the discovery of at least 6 months of waiting to discover antibodies. Other than the use of condoms, no other actions were taken. I wish I could say that other precautions were taken but given my lack of knowledge, he certainly has been exposed WITHOUT the use of condoms (before we wised up and thought hey a pregnancy might not be a good idea yet!). I have always stayed on the healthy side of things other than a cigarette now and then. I tore up my last pack and don't plan to go back. I also use a few drops of tea tree oil daily in my undies because I used to get constant yeast infections (which now makes me wonder if those were damned outbreaks too)... It was an unsolvable mystery several years ago where I constantly felt yeasty but always culture negative. I took enough Diflucan to start a pharmacy but by OBGYN never thought it could've been herpes. I finally gave up and just moved on from it.. Only now is this beginning to make some sense. As for cold sores, I have HSV1 today, but never to my recollection have I had a cold sore on my face and so I don't know if I should really even expect differently. I have spoken with him about me going on anti-virals and he is not necessarily against the idea, but doesn't seem to be crazy for it either. I know I am very blessed to have someone that is OK with this diagnosis. Every day I wake up and I am thankful for his acceptance. I am overcoming and working to get over my feelings of guilt for having this virus and working on my confidence. Luckily I have a counselor that I have decided to see again to work on myself. I know that it is a stigma from SOCIETY only and that despite having this I am still the same amazing woman. From what I have read, the viral shedding supposedly reduces every year you have the virus, but I don't know if that is true. At any rate, I have decided that I will see an OBGYN and get antivirals to use to keep my fiance H-. There is no guarantee that he will be as asymptomatic as I have been (and I constantly remind him of that, because he seems to like to use the H experience as one that is like MINE) and I do not want to cause him any physical or psychological distress. I keep reminding him of that. He may be the type to break out more frequently and it could really have a different effect on him... I also realize that I can't over obsess with it either.. Some things I added to my regimen are 1 teaspoon black seed oil. I also already take evening primrose oil nightly because I lost my period for 6 months after a vigorous exercise plan. From what I have read, those supplements may be good options for skin conditions such as H... so I am hoping I keep even mild outbreaks away with this :) I would love to read your story and talk more some time. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Hi all I posted in the "I just found out I have herpes" board this week. I found my status via the IGG exam. Positive for HSV1 and HSV2. I am quite OK with my status (I'm engaged, to be married soon, and my fiance has been very supportive) but I keep thinking in my head now "when will i have an outbreak?" "what is it going to be like?" and then I had tried to get a prescription for acyclovir (sp?) and valtrex but my doctor refuses because I'm symptom-less, and honestly, always have been. I've tried to find others, like me, who HAVE HSV2 but have never had symptoms but I find it hard. Ironically, it feels like ignorance would have been bliss now, because I'm so confused and anxious of the "if" that I'll probably give myself a damned outbreak. Thanks for letting me rant and share my story. If you are asymptomatic like me, please respond and share your story. I'm feeling a bit like the "odd one out" even though I'm apparently the majority of HSV2 cases.

Thanks for your reply. I've been with him for 5+ years and we are engaged. We used to engage frequently in unprotected sex and he is going to test but I don't think it will be much of a factor because we plan to get married soon and plan for a baby. I guess the only factor will be whether or not I use antiviral medication, but he is not a fan of using unnecessary meds given I've never had an outbreak. From our discussions, he seems to be unconcerned because he doesn't want to be with anyone else even though I am positive, and doesn't feel that it has changed anything (given that I have been positive for more than 5 years). Interesting point about genetics... I did read that people who have had HSV1 prior to acquiring HSV2 seem to do better in suppressing it, and I wonder if that is why I haven't really experienced one at this point. Thanks!

You have been really helpful and I appreciate it! Just one question - If I get an OB and it is mild or minor, should I even bother to take meds or just let it heal naturally? Also, why is it that some people do get outbreaks and others do not? My mother recently disclosed to me that she also has been diagnosed with HSV2, had one outbreak, and never got it since (this was about 13 years ago). Why is it that some people have them over and over and others do not? Thank you.

Thank you for the feedback. So you think I should keep Acyclovir on hand but only take it if I feel an outbreak coming on? I don't know what it means to "feel" an outbreak coming on! I've had herpes for at least 6 years and never known about it! Now come to think of it I had a very light rash once and assumed it was a heat rash and it went away. But I couldn't even really see the rash when I checked with the mirror. Is it possible that this was an outbreak??? I guess I'm just so confused about the "how-to" of preparation but don't know where to begin. I'm hesitant to even take anything other than l-lysine (sp?) because I'm afraid of doing whatever i've done to keep an outbreak at bay!!!! lol

Thank you. I will just stick to my normal regimen then. I am wondering if I will have an outbreak, and if so, if it will be the terrible "first outbreak" I have read about online. I also read that zinc supplement can be a good option. I have decided to not use any medications but was thinking of having a prescription filled in case I get one in the future. How often do people have herpes and NEVER experience an outbreak [not even once]?! This is crazy to me. I've learned so much this week!

Hi all, Thought I'd join the forum given that I was diagnosed via the blood test yesterday. I'm a strange case (maybe?) because I tested positive for the HSV1 and HSV2 strains but I have never experienced an outbreak in my life. I know for a fact that I must have acquired this more than 6 years ago because my fiance is negative and I am positive. Just wanted to know if there are others like me who have tested positive and have never had an outbreak (either cold sore on the mouth or down there) and what precautions (if any) need to be taken. After researching some health suggestions, I was shocked to find peanut butter is a "no-no" food. I eat 2 tbsp a day. I eat protein supplements daily, too. Should I stop? Should I take lysine? Should I do anything differently??? My fiance is very supportive and does not care. He told me he loves me even more than before so I feel emotionally supported and I am very thankful for his open-mindedness and acceptance of me. Thanks for letting me share my story, Nattie