Its official. HSV1.

[22&Depressed]

So I just found definitely that its herpes. HSV1. The lady told me I "most likely wont have another outbreak" which sounds too good to be true...although my initial one was super mild (3 blisters, no pain, no itching, no sickness, came and went within 5 days...wouldn't have noticed had I not felt them in the shower). What should I expect? What should I avoid to prevent outbreaks? How do I disclose? Asking these questions are surreal - Im still in a state of denial and shock although I knew what the diagnosis would be the second I felt the sores and started googling. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!

[Ishmael]

HSV 1 is a better diagnosis for a number of reasons, but basically it's more mild than HSV 2. If you had a minor outbreak, you'll probably not have much to deal with in the symptoms department. 

This website, the one we're in, has a bunch of stuff you might find helpful here (they cost money):  https://herpeslife.com/opportunity2/index.html

There's also these helpful handouts here (they are free): https://herpesopportunity.com/free-ebook-signup.html?sc=welcomepage

Regarding disclosing, I like this guy's method, particularly if you are HSV 1: https://honeycomb.click/topic/49570-how-i-give-the-talk/?page=1

Also see these two helpful sites:

https://hsvblog.org/herpes-simplex-virus-101/

and

http://www.annathemag.com/home/2016/7/7/herpes-you-probably-already-have-it-and-its-no-big-deal

The more educated you get about this, the better you will feel; so start reading!

 

[Ishmael]

I'm a big proponent of the "it's not a big deal" approach. For a lot of people, it's the beginning of this whole journey of self-discovery and acceptance. A lot of this website is geared toward that reaction. If you find yourself really upset by your diagnosis, I think that the self-help books Adrial has on this website are going to be a game changer for you. 

I kind of fall into this approach: https://www.bolde.com/herpes-actually-not-big-deal/

And you might find these helpful as well:

https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/8gka95/lets-not-make-such-a-big-deal-about-genital-herpes

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/news/a48497/herpes-is-not-a-sexual-death-sentence/

Anyway, read up and then get back to fucking and falling in love. 
 

[22&Depressed]

@Ishmael wow thank you for all the resources! I still feel down about the whole situation but I have been learning a lot this whole week. Both my parents and sister and brother have HSV1 orally so it feels good to know I do too, just in another part. And if anything, I think Im learning HSV1 doesn't really like the genital region which is why outbreaks are less frequent, so maybe I have it even better than the rest of my family who break out on their lips quite often (correct me if Im wrong! maybe I'm trying to look tooooo much on the bright side haha)

[LotusBud]

@22&Depressed

Whew, not the very best news, but one less thing to stew over! Now it's "just" education, management, and when you are ready, disclosing.

I don't know if it is too much on the bright side cuz that's my understanding of HSV1/HSV2 location preference as well. 

@Ishmael has given you loads of info. (Gonna have to check it out myself.) My only tip would be to avoid high arginine foods and add high lysine foods or maybe even a lysine supplement. Might be good for the whole family lol. I'm sure they would appreciate fewer cold sores.

https://justherpes.com/herpesremedies/lysine-arginine-ratio-foods-chart/

Big Hugs!!!

 

 

[LotusBud]

22&Depressed

Whew, not the very best news, but one less thing to stew over! Now it's "just" education, management, and when you are ready, disclosing.

I don't know if it is too much on the bright side cuz that's my understanding of HSV1/HSV2 location preference as well. 

@Ishmael has given you loads of info. (Gonna have to check it out myself.) My only tip would be to avoid high arginine foods and add high lysine foods or maybe even a lysine supplement. Might be good for the whole family lol. I'm sure they would appreciate fewer cold sores. I tried to put a link to a food list, but that stopped my post. Just search: lysine arginine ratio foods list.

Big Hugs!!!