so about a month ago I got test results back on a sore i had next to my vagina, I came back negative for hsv2 and positive for hsv1. Im having a hard time finding answers on the internet as everything i research talks about genital hsv2 and not 1. I havent had an outbreak since but Ive also been taking valtrex daily since my results came back. Does anyone have experience with this diagnosis ? How often do hsv1 outbreaks occur? If I stop taking this medication will I have outbreaks frequently? Is this something ill have to be on medication forever for or is hsv1 less severe ? I havent even thought about sex since being diagnosed, I dont even wanna touch myself let alone let anyone else. But eventually when im finally ok with myself and do have a sexual encounter, if someone goes down on me can they pass it to me orally? and what are the chances of them catching it ? Obviously im not going to sleep with anyone without them being aware of the situation but I have so many un answered questions. So if anyone has any knowledge on this please reach out !
So HSV1 is also genital (obviously). Type doesnt dictate location.
HSV1 and HSV2 work the same way.
So yes, if you have HSV1 genitally, you can pass it to someone else orally or genitally, outbreak or not. The chances are a lot lower if they have HSV1 already in the opposite region since their body has built antibodies to fight it.
If you are with someone who has HSV2, you both can pass the opposite strand to one another.
HSV1 typically has less frequent outbreaks in the genitals because its not its proffered location (it’s too wet and hot for the virus). HOWEVER, it all depends. Some people have frequent outbreaks anyways.
Often people find once they stop taking daily suppressant medication, they have frequent outbreaks until their body has built up its own antibodies (currently, the medication is helping your body suppress it, so its not needing as many antibodies).
I was diagnosed May 3rd with HSV2 when i had my first outbreak, decided to hold off against daily meds to see how my body handled it (the pain from my first outbreak was worse than childbirth). I got my second outbreak end of May and have been taking Valacyclovir (same medicine, different brand) since. My second outbreak was no where near as bad and i didnt even need to use the lidocaine cream, which i couldn’t live without for my first.
So the outbreaks after the first are so much more mild.
I just didn’t want to be on edge about when my next outbreak would be, and in my field of work, i need to be at 100%, 100% of the time (i chase toddlers around for a living lol).
The meds are a bonus because they cut the transmission rates in half.
The chances of a woman transmitting is already lower than men, but its cut in half with the medication.
Before having any kind of sexual encounter, make sure they get a full STD panel, which include an IGG type blood test. Since 80% of carriers dont even know they have it, because its not tested for on routine STD tests, its super possible they already have it and don’t even know!
I dove into research after my diagnosis, so I’d like to think im pretty knowledgeable, so if theres any other questions, feel free to ask or message me directly!
Theres also a ton of Facebook groups with amazing members and helpful information!