I wanted to follow up even though it has been a long time since my original post. A few months ago I had what I believe was my first oral outbreak (cold sore). I may have had something small in the past and never associated it, but I don't remember. There was no doubt about this one, had every sign of a typical HSV1 oral outbreak. Edge of my upper lip, prodome stinging, scabbed over in a few days, etc. I have always thought my HSV1 was genital, but only because of some anecdotal evidence, no clear proof. Well, after the cold sore I am almost positive it is oral. But looking back, this makes some sense.
I have been with my girlfriend for more than 2 years. I believe I passed HSV1 to her (she got it orally) early in a our relationship. I was so baffled because I thought it wasn't that easy to pass GHVS1 since it doesn't present itself much. Now that I know I had OHSV1 the whole time, it makes sense that it was easier to pass.
Her initial outbreak was severe, lots of sores inside her mouth, flu-like symptoms. She has just gotten her first regular oral outbreak this week, more than 2 years after her primary. I feel pretty down about it. She is having a rough time and is starting to link other aches and pains to the outbreak (like lower back and abdomen pain).
I am trying to educate her the best I can, but it is hard. She is nervous about passing it to her kids and can't seem to understand (or at least remember) that since I already have HSV1 that I do not need to take any precautions about touching her or exposing myself to her outbreak. I already have it, I can't get it again in another spot on my body and it can't trigger a new outbreak on me.
Anybody have any suggestions on good reading for her in this case?View Thread
Posted bySloopyDoopy(FromGenital Herpes: Living Day-to-Day)