BritSarah

Everyone has different symptoms, but that happened to me too. Ice packs were my best friend for almost a week!

I’m sorry you’re struggling. I also had increasingly intense outbreaks for a few months. I found reducing my caffeine intake and stopping my daily oatmeal really helped reduce the symptoms. I also had to really try to not stress as I found stress was a contributing factor to my outbreaks. Hang in there :)

Thanks :)

Hi :) I would love a H buddy! I'm a 39 year old female who just moved from Vancouver, Canada to Manchester in England. I'd love to just be able to talk openly about having genital HSV1 and ask some questions and get some advice, but I'd also like to support a friend going through a similar experience. Feel free to message me and let's chat x

Thanks for replying :) I spoke with my Doctor and he arranged for me to have blood tests for a range of auto immune disorders as he feels my immune system is compromised. I'm now on suppressive treatment for the H and my symptoms have eased. Finally! I'm relieved and enjoying life much more now x

Hi JaneDoe, what did you do to boost your immune system? I'm having repeat outbreaks and looking for some advice to minimise them. I'm on suppressive aciclovir treatment now but still having intense outbreaks.

Hi, My first outbreak lasted around 2 weeks. I had the itching, swelling, lesions/ulcers all in the genital area. After that I got mild outbreaks every month (around the time of my period - yay). I am now on my fourth outbreak and it is by far the worse I have had, worse than the first. I have swelling in my mouth, ulcers in my mouth, genitals and back passage, my genitals are so red raw and painful and have been this way for over 10 days now. I've tried ice packs, intense aciclovir course now onto suppressive, Epsom salt baths. Not sure if this is normal as I read that the first outbreak is usually the worst. Anyone else had a similar experience? x As

I got so much from this post. Thank you for sharing and prompting the reply x

Hi, I was diagnosed with HSV 1 in the genital area 4 months ago, during my first outbreak. I had the swelling, redness and multiple ulcers. It was prescribed 5 days of Aciclovir and the outbreak cleared after about 10 days. I have had out breaks monthly since then and they have been mild with only mild swelling and one or 2 ulcers that quickly healed. I didn't get any treatment for these outbreaks. 10 days ago my lip swelled, my genitals and back passage started to itch and turn red raw- then swelled. I have multiple ulcers inside my mouth that are extremely painful and the redness and itching 'down there' hasn't gotten any better. I've been on an intense 5 day course of aciclovir and am starting suppression therapy, but this outbreak feels so much worse than my first. I even have developed chronic dry eyes - it feels like my entire body is itchy and red and inflamed. Is this normal? Has anyone else experienced this and have any words of encouragement or suggestions for moving forward? Any idea how long this wonderful outbreak may take to subside? I guess I'm looking for some hope.