SunnyDays

This is AWESOME. I'm so happy for you Kpeace13!

Ugh. Ughughugh!! What a stupid fool. I'm sorry that happened to you. You seem intelligent and I think you dodged a bullet here, sweet thing :) You totally deserve someone to love you! Keep your chin up and keep your confidence and self-love. It's great to see that you are strong and not willing to "just fuck someone" to please them.

I'm sure the chapped lips are a side effect of medication or maybe lack of water? If you had a cold sore (herpes on your lips) they would appear as sores and be kinda crusty eventually. It would likely be a localized spot and not just dry, chapped lips. When my lips get really chapped I slather on Vaseline before I go to bed. It really helps :)

Hi there! Are your outbreaks genitally? Or orally? It is highly unlikely you are infected with the virus genitally and also orally, though it is possible if you are a carrier of HSV1 and HSV2. Do you know which type you have? The only way to know for sure if waxing will bring about an outbreak is to just go get waxed, and see what happens. That would be a good time for you to learn about your body's prodome signals too. Or if you really don't want to take the risk, try using Nair hair remover on your lip :) I have HSV1 genitally and have shaved before and did not get an outbreak. In fact, I have only had ONE outbreak (my initial one) in March. Waxing can be traumatic to the skin, but shaving down there is also no walk in the park!

I would get tested. Explain the situation to your doctor and specifically ask for a blood test that tests for antibodies, and is typed for HSV1 and HSV2. The Western Blot test is the gold standard, according to my doctor. Even if you had sex with a condom, you would still be at risk of contracting herpes. Since you didn't use protection, your risk is increased. The virus can lie dormant for a long time before an outbreak, or can just lie dormant forever and you are an asymptomatic carrier. Get tested! If only for your peace of mind :)

Good job Northoftheborder! :) You should be proud you went through it- the hardest part is over. It will only become easier with time as you grow stronger.

Hi Jojobean :) I hope you are feeling better since you got your results back. I know all too well how you feel! I was not well mentally and emotionally for my first month of living with herpes. I found out in March of this year, and honestly? I feel 99% back to my old self already. I can only offer you my words that it WILL get better. And easier. And with time this dreadful thing you've been freaked out over is going to be put on the back burner of your life. Take time to pamper yourself now, any chance you get. Eat your favorite meal. Rest. That's what I did for about my first week to cope. I also did as much research as i could and was NOT afraid to ask my doctor a billion questions. I definitely went through a grieving process, but am now stronger because of it. And you will be, too :x

Hi Meya :) First, I'm sorry you're going through this! My initial (and only so far) OB was not fun, so I hope you're feeling better! I have a similar story to you. My doctor said there is no way to tell for sure, but that based on my symptoms she felt that I was recently infected by a new partner (the one I suspected all along) and not someone from the past. I first came down with body aches, fatigue, fever and sweats and the next two days very sensitive and swollen lymph nodes in my groin. All classic of an initial outbreak. I think the fact both your blood tests came back negative is important and you should try to have confidence in them. Do you recall what kind of tests they were?

Good luck Northoftheborder! Will be thinking of you and sending strong positive vibes your way >:D<

Dear OneDayAtATime, Your story is eerily similar to mine in regards to how I got herpes and the aftermath that ensued. I will never forget the look on his face when I told him..and how he abandoned me in my room sobbing. That was three months ago and my heart still aches, but I AM feeling better about it. I think I understand exactly what you're going through, and I want you to know that the pain will lessen, your confidence will bounce back, and as corny as it sounds.. you are one step closer to finding the person that is meant for you. The abrupt ending of your relationship is traumatic and will take a lot of strength to get through that grief. If you can, do anything in your power to not contact him. Block him on Facebook. Erase his number. Whatever you can do to push him out of your mind. Once the feelings surrounding him start to fade, you can get back to your happiness. Time truly does heal all wounds :) This guy sounds like a complete jerkwad, and I can tell by your post you are a sweetheart. I'm so sorry this happened to you. Yes it does seem totally unfair! I get that. Just know you've got people on your side, fighting the same messed up battles as you. We're here for you, keep your chin up :)

Oh Emma! I feel for you. I was also abroad when I was diagnosed...it was the toughest time of my life to date, but that was two months ago and I already feel SO much better about it. The social stigma really makes my skin crawl but now I look at people that say such callous remarks and feel embarrassed for them because they sound so ignorant and immature. I am still an amazing person; herpes did not change the person I am and it won't change you. Stay strong, girl. I know it's hard right now, but I say all of this to you from a place that I did not think I would ever get back to after my diagnosis. Life goes on and it goes on splendidly, I promise. *hugs!*

It's just so confusing to me because I was under the impression that if I had HSV1 orally, I would not be able to get it genitally. Plus, it's crazy to think that I was infected both places at the same time and never had a genital outbreak. My initial genital outbreak had all the signs of a primary outbreak, and I have never had any problems "downstairs" before this. Ahhh! Such a mindf***.. ;) I was 17ish when I noticed my first oral sore and I am 25 and just had my first genital outbreak. So confusing! I think in time I will stop beating myself up trying to decipher the "how" and just come to terms with the facts. At least, that is my goal. I've done a lot of research on this since my diagnosis and I am nearly heartbroken that H is so prevalent in our society yet it is not routinely tested for. I was absolutely ignorant to herpes before this happened; I wish I had known more. So thankful for your site, Adrial. Keep it up.

I was diagnosed with HSV1 genitally by a PCR and through visual exam back in March. This really confused me because I was 99.9% positive I have been getting cold sores on my lip for almost eight years. So I got a Western Blot. It came back positive for HSV1, negative for HSV2. My doctor said that what might've happened is that I was infected orally and genitally at the same time, and for some reason my genital symptoms remained dormant all these years. She also said that what has been appearing on my lip might not be a cold sore..but it looks like one and I do get prodome as it crops up. I just wanted to share the rest of my story. I think my situation is a good example of just how unpredictable our bodies can be. I mean, I've never read anything about the virus hanging out in both places...but I have no other explanation for my condition. I think I might disclose to someone special to me soon, and I'm having a hell of a time trying to come up with the words to explain when I don't even really understand my situation myself.

I developed flu-like symptoms mid-day, and by that evening I had one lesion. The next day I had four lesions total with fever, swollen inguinal lymph nodes, tired/achy feeling. There was no mistaking my symptoms- before I saw my first blister I thought FOR SURE I had the flu!

Hi Maple! I am in a similar boat. I was diagnosed about a month ago with genital HSV 1. I always knew you could get type 1 "down there", but was totally shocked when I found out. The guy I was with had no sores and claims he's never had a cold sore. It's terrible and I'm so confused! Especially since this is such a traumatic experience. I really think we need better public health efforts to raise more awareness about herpes. I'm sorry this happened to you. I'm glad you found this site, too. Welcome :)