Not sure how to tell difference?!

It can-- Generally, outbreaks occur when stressed out.  So, sexual contact may make your body's immune system to shut down enough to allow the virus to deem it a good time to reproduce.  

So what about suppressive medicine ? Does that work ? I wanna see for myself but at the same time I wanna wait to see if I'm going to have an outbreak or not ..

Do you have herpes ?

Yes, I do have herpes.  For a long time, I thought I was always having an outbreak-- that feeling got worse on suppressive medications. 

I had a few swabs, then had a good conversation with my PC doctor.  I think that the virus is not as active as I once thought.  I generally get an outbreak about twice a year, at the change of seasons.  I intend to start supplementing Lysine and avoiding "Damp" foods after thanksgiving, next year  

It is my honest opinion, that it is better to leave the medications for when your body needs that little boost in the right direction

My first outbreak was in October lasted about a week. I'm on suppressive therapy and I have type 1.

If Type 1 and you're on suppressive meds, I'd guess that it's not a recurrence, just based on the odds, but recurrences are tricky to identify. Only half with GH get prodromal signs, and recurrences can be so mild that it's easy to be unsure. I think I've had two, but they were both literally a tiny lesion/bump, barely noticeable or painful, so I'm not 100%. Before GH, did shaving used to give you a rash? Guess that's the baseline you have to work with, and if not sure, err on the side of caution.

Well, I usually shave once a week down there, but last week I only waited 4 days apart and shaved which I think irritated it, but when I shaved this week I got bumps on my bikini line down and then a rash part. My mom said it's razor burn (let's hope). I use soap when I shave but I did a few spots w/out so I'm wondering if that's what irritated the skin. Just got myself really freaked out.

Probably just an irritation. Next time only shave with soap, or better yet, shaving gel, and see what happens. Try to shave only only once a week and trim in between. The bikini area can be quite sensitive and prone to shaving spots and in-grown hairs. I haven't bothered to shave or trim at all for 2 months, so it's becoming a bit of a small forest down there, lol. Not yet a jungle. Might need to do something about it soon, though!

Nah, let it be trimming seems better imo

Actually, trimming is said to be better generally! A bit of hair to act as buffer, lol.

The reason it can be so hard to tell is because it doesn't hurt. When I had my first OB it was so painful to wipe down there. So, I'm just praying it is a rash from shaving. My mom wants me to look into laser hair removal because then I wouldn't have to deal with this plus I'll be able to know when I'm getting an actual outbreak again.

Thought i was the only that had that issue . So yeah

It was painful as ever to wipe .. I had to dab at it

I couldn't even wash inside or nothing I had to have my dude clean me out

Sh*t is painful . Do outbreaks tend to come when you start your cycle ?

Laser hair removal is awesome, btw. Highly recommended. I have had it done in a few places and it is honestly the best thing ever!! It can hurt, however, especially the first couple/few times when the hair is still thick. It is also obviously more sensitive down there as well.

The zapping can trigger an outbreak in some, so it may be good to take the meds as a prophylaxis (like episodic therapy, but in anticipation of a possible trigger, so before any symptoms). Some places recommend it. You can Google to find more.

It can for some women, not for others. Unlikely with Type 1.

You can get outbreaks in on your vagina with type one ? I thought it was only genital herpes. ? I thought type one you got around your mouth and what not. ?

There is Gential HSV-1 too. We just have fewer outbreaks and less shedding. Some people with type 1 won't ever even have an outbreak again because it prefers the oral area. Downfall with type 1 is if you are having an OB and you happen to touch down there and don't wash your hands (which you should do every time after touching down there) you can pass it to other parts of your bodies. I'm sure it could happen with HSV-2 too.

I panic about every small thing down there now too! No worries. If it's inside it might be another OB, or could just be a minor irritation. My bumps/irritation from shaving is around my bikini line, so that is how I know it is from shaving. Plus, I'm on antivirals.

You can get oral HSV-1 (extremely common) and genital HSV-1 (becoming more common; usually acquired through oral sex).

You can get genital HSV-2 (common) and oral HSV-2 (very rare).

They are not the same virus (but are related), and the number is how they are identified and distinguished. The number has nothing to do with the site of infection whatsoever.

I did get my HSV-1 through intercourse though it was not from oral.

That is possible, but less common. I was told that it's also not very common to get GH after just one encounter, yet I managed to. Hate being one of the few exceptions, lol!

koolredd -- that's part of my issue!!  

 I also have Lichen Schlerosus (an autoimmune skin issue that some ladies get), so I'm using a cream called Clobetasol, as well as a weekly dose of estrogen cream (TMI for the gents in this discussion!).  So, I'm not sure if the irritation is just irritation, or my second ( small) OB.    

I'm grateful for the medicine, but it can be a bit overwhelming!