Recent diagnosis but in good spirits. This is my plan...

Sexual health
1

I recently experienced my first outbreak (4 days ago and still going through it) -I'm 31.

Upon realizing there was something wrong/different going on down there I made an appointment with the Dr. The Dr visually suspected HSV but did a swab of the area (PRC) and I went straight to the lab for additional blood work (I wanted to test for all other STI's while I was there, including more detail and accuracy on HSV-type i.e. 1 vs 2). I'm a registered nurse by trade so I already felt I had a good understanding of the virus.... (but I have also learned soooooooo much more about personal experiences on these forums, they are a god-send and I have found so much solace in these!!)

Conclusion: I am positive for HSV-1. I have never had a oral cold sore before so I'm assuming my virus is isolated to the nerves down below and any recurrent flare up will stay there.

The outbreak was initially quite hard to go through, especially the first 3 days. I was walking funny, sitting funny.... washing and peeing were painful. I had about 10 lesions that I could count around my vagina. 

I started the valtrex immediately 3x/day and have been drinking plenty of water.

I have no appetite so I've been losing a pound a day Unsure if this is because of the valtrex or my underlying disappointment which I have been trying to cover as to remain as stress free as possible.

Things that have helped: Washing daily with warm water and gentle soap (I've only been able to wash 1-2 times a day as I am gone all day at work or other outings) but I always feel a ton better afterward with clean dry panties on and comfy/loose pants. I just started using Hydrogen Peroxide 3% food-grade spray today. I read about it in many other forums and those who have tried it really felt it helped them so I gave it a go. I thought it would hurt, it sounded scary because boy does that sting when you apply it to cuts but I did not feel any discomfort what so ever. I even spritzed it using a mirror to watch for fizzing on the blisters, a few of them did but I felt nothing, just relief... I let it sit for a bit then used clean wadded up TP to fan myself and pat off any remaining droplets (new after shower routine!). Aside from keeping clean and drinking plenty of water, I've just taking my meds regularly and trying to stay relaxed. They say stress is the number one trigger and I don't want to trigger anything to get worse so I am staying as mindful of my mood as possible. I have also ordered immunity boosting vitamins I've read will help keep outbreaks at bay: SuperLysine and Olive Leaf extract.

Aside from that I eat pretty healthy, don't drink alcohol much and don't smoke.

The most ironic part of this is I have always required new partners and myself to get tested for STI's before having unprotected sex... the sad thing is that these tests do not include a test for herpes. Doctors will even say that they don't because so many people have HSV already. I'm the most upset about this because I don't care if most people have it already, why should I have to wait until I get blisters to be allowed a blood test??? Meanwhile I can be unknowingly spreading it to partners who I love and want nothing but the best for...

That being said I am in a committed relationship of 8 months and I plan to tell him ASAP (we have not had sex since my outbreak/Dx) I want him to get tested and if he is negative, he can decide whether he wants to stay with me and risk contracting it, or he can move on. My hope is that he stays and we take the steps necessary to keep him from getting it (if he doesn't already), but I will understand if this diagnosis is too much for him to be concerned with and if that's the case, hope we remain friends. Like many STI's, HSV is harder for men to contract than women (lucky them) -I hope in this case he is lucky.

In all of this I am hopeful that I will still live a fulfilling life and find a loving relationship, if not this one than another one. I love reading all the success stories of HSV carriers coming out to their partners and being met with acceptance and support, I hope I receive the same.

Good luck to everyone in this. I'm going to view this as an inconvenient skin condition but not let it get me down or interrupt my enjoyment of life. I am still alive! and it can always be worse! In the end I suppose I am grateful and more aware of all the other things that make me happy.

Much love! 

Rosalyn

2

My outbreaks subsided quick as well, I'm not happy about the fact that every time I look down there it's raw and red. No tingling or anything, no other symptoms. I wonder if I'm having something else going on besides herpes. My Dr says that I can't blame everything that happens on hsv2. I have hsv1 also and just get red blotches on my cheeks, grateful for that. Be well thanks for responding

3

Hi Rosalyn,

Thank you for sharing your experience.  

​My girlfriend and I have had genital herpes since November 2016 and we still don't know who passed it onto who.   But the fact is that it doesn't matter now as we both have it.   If one sexual partner has the condition already than the other can not pass it onto them a second time.

​It is always a possibility that your partner aleady has the condition but does't know it, but it is worth them getting tested if you wish to stay with them, just for your own peace of mind, as the not knowing would probably play havoc on your closeness to them.

​I wish you well in whatever you do as I know the impact it had on me when I was diagnosed with HSV.   My girlfriend and I are still in a happy and loving relationhip and it doesn't need to get in the way of things.  If I have a flare up, then we will watch a movie instead or we will just go more gently on each other (if you get my drift),

​I think these forums are soooo helpful as it is a very isolating feeling having this condition.   We don't tend to bring HSV up into conversation, even with our closest friends and family.

​Good luck!  :-)

 

4

Thank you! It is always so nice to hear other’s experiences and how they are getting along with things. I also, as I mentioned, have found so much solace in these forums, they are an amzing way to have a voice in all of this and be able to express your feelings to others who understand.

 I ended up telling my boyfriend last night about my diagnosis and he was very understanding, even was quick to suggest it may have been passed from him (even though he has never had symtoms). He made an appt for blood-work (IgG) so that we can be sure and then we’ll go from there. But I was very happy that ultimately he does not want anything to change between us despite the interruption of HSV ☺️

5

I'm just curious, how long did your tests take to get back? I have been waiting almost a week and still nothing. I am almost positive I have it but having a firm confirmation and knowledge of which time will really change how I move forward with this. I currently feel like I'm in limbo 

6

That's wonderful news, Rosalyn that you managed to tell your boyfriend. I think it is a real display of love and respect for him when you manage to disclose such a sensitive subject to a partner.

These things can even bring us closer to our partner as the relationship becomes more intimate afterwards.

I have decided to subscribe to a Quarterly Magazine called 'SPHERE' which can be found on the 'HSV Association' website. It's worth considering as it offers heaps of physical and mental health support for individuals with HSV and adverts for Social events around the country.

7

Hello Ro,

It has been a fair while but I think it was a week for me to get my results. If you cantact the Sexual Health Clinic they may be able to speed things up for you as I can imagine it is an anxious wait for you.

If you need further support/advice give me a shout and I will try and help.

I was telling another user of this forum Ros that the website 'HSV Association' it worth a look if it does turn out to be HSV.

Good luck!