Olliepug

Current statistics over here are 80% having HSV1 & 12% having HSV2 (that's one in 8 people) Though as lots are also undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, the numbers are probably really much higher. Definitely not alone!

Thanks Dancer, will definitely put that into practice ;) Great simple and informative video too, going to get my partner to watch it, he's probably sick of me trying to explain it all, I feel like an overnight expert thanks to H Opp, well... considering I knew absolutely nothing just a week ago! Makes us Aussies seem a bit small though lol Will let you know how I get on with type. Thanks again xo

Thanks Adrial & whitedaisies, I really related to that chat with Cicily :) I guess it is a great filter for those around you, I'm now 40, so really don't care too much for fake people in my life at this point anyway, which perhaps is why I am coping with it better than I initially thought I would. This community has been and will continue to be a massive help in the journey for me too, so much love and support out there <3 It does really help to have support of a partner, at least I have one person right now I can confide in for starters, he's been amazing so far. I'm sure the wedding day will be great, must say, this has put a bit of a dampener on the wedding night though :( This is my 2nd marriage, got lost in the first, good advice, I learnt that lesson the hard way lol We're off to Bali to do it, so hopefully no chance of further infections from dirty water/conditions etc over there while still having first OB, anyone have any experience or info about the risks? xoxo

Regarding being totally 'out' Good on you! I bet I'd be surprised by how many others I know would have it too if I did that. So tempted just to say it to get it off my chest at times, I feel like just carrying that around like its a dirty little secret just adds to that social stigma, hopefully I get to that point later on. It's early days for me but honestly, I'm amazed at how relaxed I now am about it, no it's not great but at the end of the day it's only a small sore, we can't be beating ourselves up over that!!!

Just doing some more research, so much contradictory info out there! Some sites say it is quite rare to get oral h from genital h, others say it is a high risk? One even said you can pass type 2 on through your saliva while having oral sex... What the!!! I'm hoping for rare myself, anyone know?

Thanks so much yet again, so nice to know you're not alone, the stigma attached to this is what makes it so difficult, not exactly conversation you can have at the water cooler!

I've read all the links you have kindly shared & while it still completely sucks, I think that if this is true that future OBs are less frequent an intense I can learn to deal with this, well, I'll have to!!! Found it hard sleeping today though cause was stinging and itching like crazy, could have ripped the thing off! Another question: My bf and I did have unprotected sex a few times before I noticed the blisters and I was already inflamed & raw, I feel really terrible about that but I just didn't know. If he does develop it down there now, could we trigger outbreaks on each other when we have sex in the future if we both end up having it?

Thanks Dancer, I have been just about scrubbing up for surgery regularly lol Though am worried I may not have been so careful before I noticed blisters & was already infected. My eyes have been a little tired & sore but hard to tell because I feel a little feverish anyway??? I'm on night shifts too which I am sure isn't helping. Just hope I don't look like a zombie bride on the day! Appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us newbies, more informative than Google that's for sure :)

Thanks whitedaisies, Yes, we figured it was passed on that way, we thought it only contagious while blisters were actually present, so wish I'd researched that earlier!!! That sort of percentage is really reassuring, info everywhere else is so confusing, so glad I found this site xo

Hi all, I started with a raw uncomfortable feeling for a couple of days, when it persisted, I grabbed a small mirror to take a look up there. I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the small cluster of blisters & knew immediately what it was, especially when the sore tingly feeling became more intense & constant! I then developed the flu like symptoms and general unwell feeling that goes with it. I must say though, after the initial horror, I feel quite ok with it, I keep thinking, well, it's only really a cold sore in a different area, I guess I can learn to live with that!?! Researching it & reading the great info you all share on here helps :) Anyway, I went & got Tea Tree Oil which I've been dabbing on, some Lysine & Zinc tablets & some Zovirax cream (in case it pops up anywhere else) is there any point in taking prescription anti viral meds? I would prefer natural healing if it is just as effective? The only issue for me is that my boyfriend of 6 years doesn't have it (does get oral cold sores often though) & while he's been perfectly fine & supportive about it, we get married next week, so I'm really hoping it subsides before the honeymoon!!! I'm only 5 days in, any ideas on if this may be a possibility by then, even with protection, I don't want to put him at risk? My only other questions are, is it easily spread to other areas such as mouth or eyes? If having an outbreak, what are the signs (if any) that it is starting to heal?