Life with Herpes

It's always really hard to pinpoint exactly how you got it, you may never find out. Your life isn't over, but it will be different. It's a hard diagnosis to come to terms with, but you will.I've now had it for a year, and I am perfectly okay with myself.You just have to remember that this doesn't change who you are, so don't let it get you down.xx

You will experience outbreaks similar to the first (meaning how long they last) a few times. It doesn't happen often though. When I get an outbreak now they are just super itch bumps that don't really ever burst. I've only had one other outbreak that lasted more than five days since my first one, and they do eventually go away. Try a baking soda bath to help dry them up and make them go away faster.xx

If you have it on your genitals you can pass it orally and genitally. Type 1 generally occurs orally but can still be passed to genitals. 

It could be the friction. Lube can help this a lot. Also, if you're worried about having sex because of outbreaks, this will cause stress, which will eventually lead to an outbreak. Horrible, vicious circle.I also only get outbreaks because of sex. Not every time, but occasionally. After time it does start to get better. I hardly have any problems, I almost forget I even have it. Don't let it upset you too much, the condition itself isn't half as bad as the stigma surrounding it. xx

Definitely not. A 1% risk is not enough to ward of sex forever. It's just a reason to practice safer sex. 

You definitely don't need to be that worried about spreading it via drinks, if you think about the statistic that almost 90% of people don't know they have it, we've all shared drinks with someone who holds the virus. It's a much smaller chance to pass it orally. Don't let it get you this paranoid! If you're that concerned with passing it, you can take a Valtrex daily which decreases the chances of outbreaks and spreading.

I was definitely the same, I felt very gross in my own skin for a long time, which really sucked. But luckily I've realized HSV doesn't change who you are, it's just an annoying skin condition. It can be frustrating, but it could be a lot worse!Other than that, tea tree oil works wonders (in my experience) as does baking soda baths.xx

Thank you very much, but it has taken a lot of time for me to be able to even be semi-strong about this. My first outbreak was absolutely horrible. I took valtrex, and it still took a little over two weeks to heal. I did a lot of resting and had a lot of baking soda baths. You can also dilute tea tree oil and apply them to the area.I still get outbreaks, not very often though. I found that birthcontrol was causing more so I stopped using it. If you need any advice you can always ask.xx

Well my first outbreak was very bad. I never had any "feelings" before the sores came... they just appeared one day. All over the place.Honestly, it hurt a lot. Probably some of the first pain I've had. But I had no idea what was going on, so the methods I tried to get 'rid' of them made it worse, (I put yeast infection creams and scented moisturizers on the sores, bad idea). It lasted around 12 days, I think day 3-6 were the absolute worse. I didn't leave my bed for about a week, and could only pee in the shower, due to the pain urine cause on the sores.Once actually getting my diagnosis I took the antibiotics, which brought on the healing process a lot faster. I also used black tea bags to dab on the sores, as well as tea tree oil, both helped ease the pain/itchiness. I took a lot of baking soda baths, and always made sure I was very dry and very clean down there. I spent a lot of time laying on my back with my legs propped up, it was the most comfortable way I sleep. It will suck... but at least you can research and learn as much as you can about it to shorten the outbreak time. I mean, not everyone has a horrible first outbreak, it could be a lot easier for you. But just prepare for as best you can for it! Rest as much as you can and try to be optimistic, stressing will only make things worse. Just remember, the first time is the worst and it gets better!xx

I definitely know where you're coming from, my first outbreak was like this too. I took a lot of baking soda baths, to dry up the sores and help them heal faster. Make sure it's always dry down there, I even used a blow-dryer to ensure that. You can also try dabbing a black tea bag on the sores, once the bag is cooled down. Those are all the things I tried, along with taking Lysine, 1000mg a day.Honestly, the first outbreak is the worst and lasts the longest.I've had others but none have been even close to as bad. I've hardly even noticed the others, they are mostly just itchy.Hang in there, it does get better.And don't let the stigma make you think you're dirty, you aren't. Anyone can get herpes, it has nothing to do with who you are. xx

Third, get off my blog. Stop searching the herpes tag unless you're actually trying to learn about it. Otherwise, fuck off.

That's amazing, this is exactly why I started this blog.So glad to be helping erase the negative stigma!