HSV1 : How bad is it?

Posted , 5 users are following.

Hi everyone.. just wondering if you can help me. I found out I had genital herpes (HSV1) in 2015 when I was with my ex boyfriend (we hadn't been together long and had just recently had an appendix operation). I didn't know anything about it until that point to be honest. It's since having it I've learnt a lot about it, however I still feel as s**t about it since the day I was told.. to the point where I'm quite depressed. Every day I worry about having to tell someone and being rejected for it. It doesn't bother me personally, but that's because I know all the facts and it's really 'no biggie' 🤷🏻??? I've probably had 3 outbreaks since 2015 and my body deals with it naturally without the need for tablets. It's no where near as painful as the first, occurs less and less over time and soon goes. But it's knowing that I have it and feeling 'different' because of it, even though I'm the same person. Basically it's affected me mentally and also physically I suppose because I have a lot less motivation to keep fit which isn't like me. Anyway I'm sorry to blabber.. I just want some advice as I have never had to tell anybody since finding out (not even my best friend knows). With it being a private and personal thing I just don't know how common it actually is and feel like nobody would ever want me anymore😩. I wish there was some sort of counselling and someone we could go to for help.

The other problem unfortunately which would make our lives easier for all people with herpes is if there was more education on it. It always seems to be the brunt of a joke when actually I sit back and think, number 👆🏼'It's not funny'.. number ?🏼 'I bet this person doesn't know anything about it'. 

I'd appreciate any kind of response from anyone and I'm sure many of you probably feel the same as I do. Thank you in advance! 😊

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Posted

    Hey Hannah , so you don’t take any antiviral nor vitamins ? You just let your body take care if the virus naturally? 
    • Posted

      Hello.. yes, the last two outbreaks that’s what I’ve done. I’ve not needed the tablets. Generally I don’t take any tablets unless absolutely necessary.. I prefer the idea of my body dealing with things itself unless I really have to 😊

    • Posted

      I absolutely feel the same way you feel . At first I thought this was disgusting and nobody will want me ! I still have my moments that I break down about it but I know in due time , it will get better for me ! 
    • Posted

      I know this personal but are you currently with someone or have a partner? 
    • Posted

      My last two outbreaks haven’t been that bad at all, hence why no tablets were required. And fully cleared no longer than a week I’d say. No, I’m single but hopefully one day I’ll meet someone and it’ll feel ok to tell them🤷🏻???

  • Posted

    I know how you feel i havent told anyone and i have became somewhat depressed i have only had it like 2 months and still dont fully under stand it and well i have no idea what to do just feel so isolated x
    • Posted

      Sorry to hear you feel like that Robert.. you’re not alone. Do you mind me asking if yours is type 1 or 2?
  • Posted

    Hey Hannah!

    Been a while since you posted this but just wanted to reply.

    I’m sure you have read up but you are fortunate with hsv-1..  genital herpes is usually hsv-2.

    This means that you almost certainly wouldn’t infect anyone with HSV1 already.. which is the majority of the population.  Most people got the cold sore virus as children.

    So while, yeah you probably should tell a partner, likelihood is he already got it.  

    In terms of an ‘illness’ best I can tell if you get sores from time to time and feel bad about them.  Can’t transmit while there are no sores either.

    So..  honestly, my opinion is it’s not really that bad.  I guess downstairs is perhaps more embarrassing than upstairs but hey.. only special people are ever gonna know while most of us have it on our face! smile

    • Posted

      Sorry should clarify..  unlikely to transmit without sores, but could still potentially be active just after they’ve healed.

      But yeah.. hsv1 most people have some form of it.

  • Posted

    Can someone please tel me how long it usually takes their sores to go away ? Do they ever go away? 

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