hey everyone, about one weeks ago, i was diagnosed with hsv type 1 & 2. my first “outbreak” looked like a cold sore on my vag. I told myself it couldn’t be herpes, because that’s not what they look or feel like. The only symptoms I had was slight discomfort sometimes when I went to the bathroom and that was it. I went to my yearly appointment, they swabbed and the blood and cultures came back positive for both type 1 & 2. At first, I was heartbroken, ashamed, dirty, the whole nine. When I went to pick up valtrex I broke down. Before my results came back, I was trying to mentally prepare myself that it was herpes while praying it wasn’t. Once I got my results back, I felt almost at ease that I finally had the answers. My doc talked to me, explained and gave me comfort that this will not kill me, it is treatable, it will not define me, and I will still live a normal, happy, healthy life despite this new health condition I have.
I took the weekend to truly educate myself about type 1 & 2, triggers for outbreaks, the benefits of going on valtrex daily. I had so many questions, concerns, etc.
My cold sores on my vag went away two days after taking valtrex. I am taking it daily and my body is adjusting well to it.
I just wanted to create a post for some support for not just me, but others who are living with this health condition (I do not like to say I live with a virus, after so much research, I am shocked with how common both type 1 & 2 are. Plus I think saying I have a virus puts a negative stigma on myself, I am not a virus, and this virus will not define me).
I am so many questions.
- How many outbreaks has everyone experience since finding out they are positive
- If you take valtrex every day, how often do you experience outbreaks
- What was your experience when telling your partner or a new partner about this health condition
- If you get waxed, have you experienced a outbreak following
I would love to hear people’s feedback and experience and I am more than willing to talk more about mine. I hope our world will get away from the stigma of STD’s and only “dirty” people get them. It’s like you can’t have an open and honest conversation about having an STD without being judged or labeled.
I hope one day we will live in a world where it’s normal and ok to talk about sexual history without this awful stigma behind it.
I look forward to hearing back from everyone.
Best, HT.