HSV-1 (herpes simplex virus type 1), is commonly known as “oral herpes”. HSV-2 is what people generally consider “genital herpes”, but both can affect either region. The difference when you have them in the “wrong” region is that because the virus isn’t designed for that particular area, it’s considerably weakened.
A little background- I was exposed to the virus when I was 18 years old. I met a guy at a party, got drunk, and hooked up with him. I didn’t notice his cold sore until the next morning and didn’t think anything of it. Two weeks later, I woke up with a complete war zone on my genitals. I went to the doctor, got a swab, and got the call saying I had genital HSV-1 two days later.
Because the virus is so considerably weakened in the genital area, my doctor told me that taking any suppressive medications would make little to no difference. Here are a few facts:
people with HSV-1 generally don’t have many, if any, outbreaks after the original. (I have only had the one)
the virus is only shed (meaning it’s able to be passed on) about 5% of the time when there isn’t an outbreak present.
even when the virus is being shed, it’s very unlikely to be spread because of its weakened state and it is especially hard to pass it on from genital-genital contact.
as time goes on, the virus is less and less likely to be spread.
If you want any more facts, I would suggest herpes.com, http://www.herpesguide.ca/facts/hsv_1_infections.html, or http://www.herpeseducation.org/herpes.htm. My most useful information came from talking to my doctor though.
For those of you, like me, who care more about what those facts mean in real life, I’ll give you a few personal experiences.
The night before my first outbreak, I was with a guy I was seeing at the time. I was more likely to transmit the virus than any other night since then, especially after the chafing from hours of sex. We didn’t use protection, we 69ed, etc, etc, the full monty. Fast forward quite a bit, he has been tested, has never had any symptoms, and is totally fine.
I’ve slept with plenty of people since my first outbreak (both with and without protection) and not one of them has ever reported any symptoms orally or genitally.
I’m here to answer any questions you have about ANYTHING related to my disease. It’s a disease that comes with a lot of stereotypes and incorrect assumptions. I used to be guilty of the same misinformation and that led to a lot of issues with anxiety and depression after my diagnosis. I want to help make this disease less of of a crushing blow to those who are exposed in the future because it is NOT what society tells you it is.
edit- yes, all of my partners have known about my disease before we got to the bedroom. they have always been the ones to initiate unprotected sex.
EDIT- I’m about to head out for the night so it’ll be a while before i get back to any new comments or messages, but keep posting! thanks so much to everyone who came here with an open mind!
submitted by beehave [link] [92 comments]
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