otter

This is very wise advice and I will try to put my anger energy toward empathy and forgiveness. You are very right, we are ALL fighting our own internal battles. -Otter

This is of course assuming that the female is NOT going through an OB and is taking suppressive meds. -Otter

Can you transmit HSV2 to a partner from “fingering” an HSV2+ partner? What type of protection is needed, if any, when engaging in foreplay between a positive female and a negative male that is NOT oral, vaginal, anal sex? -Otter

I consciencously know that being angry and thinking bad things toward that person really is toxic to myself...but unconsciencously, it's tough to do sometimes. I have been using sea salt baths and smudging with sage prayers to help me release my anger and resentment. Some days are better than others, but over all, for knowing that I have HSV2 for about a month now, things are looking up. It helps that my back to back outbreak is getting better enough to throw in some moderate exercise. -Otter

Thanks Dancer. I struggled with patience before I got HSV2, so post diagnosis has been really tough in accepting that time is really what I need right now, and nothing is going to push that any faster. I continue to read more about HSV2 and using this support forum has been really helpful. I still swing between acceptance and anger...especially since I have pretty solid proof of who gave it to me, but each week is getting better. I think once I'm over this first OB and I can get up and running again, I'll have much more strength and confidence to start dating again and heal emotionally. -Otter

Thanks everyone for all the good info and advice. I started off slow with biking and I wore those not so stylish padded shorts for bikers:) As soon as I was done with the ride, I immediately rinsed off in the shower. Nothing got worse, so I'll consider it a success. Today I went for a brisk 40 minute walk on the treadmill....this actually was more irritating, so I stopped once it felt more uncomfortable than normal. Immediate shower and everything seemed A-Okay. Soooo, as long as I don't over do it on the exercise and seriously listen to my body and keep the area clean, I think working out while having an OB is going to be okay. Wahooo! Taking back my power point for me :) Take that H! -Otter

I'm in my primary outbreak HSV2 and it's been a slow recovery...I'm pushing 3 weeks now. If I walk, run, or bike at the gym, will it make my healing process slower, better, or no effect? The exercise would really help with my emotional wellbeing, but I don't want to flare anything up if exercise would agitate it. Any thoughts or experiences anyone could share about exercise and HSV2? -Otter

No, I don't speak Portuguese...I wish I did. My ex-fiancé is from Rio Grande de Sol, so I was immersed in Portuguese for quite some time, but I have lost most of the language since we parted. Thank you for the support and thanks Dancer for all the helpful tips. Some days are better than others, and even though I'm reading tons on HSV2, it's hard to emotionally heal when my first outbreak seems to be pushing 3 weeks now. Even though I'm passed the "my life is over stage", I still think about having HSV2 all the time...at least every hour. I feel like I should count my lucky stars given the severity of my outbreak is small compared to what could have happened, but these lingering lesions are not spreading nor really going away...even with Valtrex daily. I know once I start running and biking again my emotional wellbeing with improve, but this outbreak is keeping me from doing that. Does exercise make an outbreak worse? Thanks again for your support and help, it makes this new news easier to digest. -Otter

I found out about 3 weeks ago that I have HSV2. It was very mild with only 3 bumps, itchiness, and slight burning. After about a week, while I waited for my test results, I started anti-viral meds. 3 times a day for 10 days. Each day seemed to be getting better and then I was done with the meds and I have 2 solid days of feeling like my vagina went back to normal. I considered myself lucky and try to start my healing process and I now considered what having HSV2 at 32 years old and being single would be like. After two days of what seemed to be a normal vag, I had another outbreak...same deal, 3 dots, some itchiness, and general burning. I started my anti-viral meds asap....three days go by and nothing is really improving, it's actually appearing to get worse. More itchy, not new bumps to from what I can see, and general irritation around the underwear lines. Is this normal? It's been about 3 weeks and I have been on anti-virals for about half that time. Shouldn't this be getting better? Anyone else experience a primary outbreak that seemed to come in phases? I'm super scared there might be something else wrong, but I'm not sure if my head is just going wild with worst case scenarios. Any advice would be helpful. -Beijos