HSV1 Facts

Millions of people all over the world are affected by the herpes simplex 1 virus. While in most of the cases, the affected parts of the body are the face and the mouth, in at least 10% of the cases, the genitalia are also affected.

According to the latest research on the subject, a vast majority of people will suffer from the herpes virus at least once in their lifetime as a result of the herpes simplex virus.

And in many (those who have a poor immune system), the disease often reoccurs. Interestingly, in as many as 25% of all herpes cases, there are no symptoms at all – and in such cases it becomes really difficult to diagnose properly. And in another 50% of all cases, there are symptoms, but they are very mild, and these cases are difficult to diagnose as well.

So when we consider all these hidden cases of herpes, we are looking at a huge number of herpes infections worldwide.

If you find yourself in a newly diagnosed position, rest assured, you are NOT alone.

Who Am I?

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Allow me to introduce myself:

I am your mother; father, brother, sister, best friend, girlfriend, boyfriend, neighbor, waitress, classmate, coach, co-worker, possibly even your physician. I am of many faces and varied ages. I possess higher education or little education at all. I am found in all classes, races and religions of society. To look at me, you would never imagine that I hold a secret, that in a particular situation and with the slightest sin of omission, I could affect your life in such a way that would alter life as you know it.

What could this secret possibly be? It is Genital Herpes!

As a person with genital herpes, I can often live in an ongoing fear of telling you of my condition. I suffer this fear as the result of your possible ignorance. How is it that one person should live in the fear of another person’s lack of knowledge? It’s true! Nearly 50 million new cases diagnosed each year will walk this same dreadful walk. The voices of conscience continually asking “will this person run from me?” “Will this person mock me?” So many times, I will draw the conclusion that the unknown response is the best and I will make my exit from your life. Never knowing if you might have been asking yourself those same questions. The statistics would indicate it is likely that you could, but then again, the risk and fear prevent me from speaking openly with you.

Over time, I have been placed in situations where I was made to feel sub-human. Listening to jokes, ridicule and hurtful comments by all those who suffer from ignorance, up to and including talk show hosts that are admired by millions across the U.S. I have been a person who has had the quality of life snatched right out from under my feet, simply because I acted on human nature and had a sexual relationship with another person who’s life was affected by genital herpes.

What can you do as a person that I may encounter? Become aware! Genital herpes can be treated. With proper knowledge and consideration for you, I have the ability to protect you. Though I cannot completely eliminate your risk, I can minimize it tremendously.

Understand that just because I have genital herpes, this does not mean I am infectious 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It simply means I may become contagious a few times per year. Know that with proper care of my body, time can further reduce the frequency of when I might pass along this virus. If I am a person with genital herpes and have taken the time to get to know my body and how this virus reacts in it’s active state, I can recognize early symptoms that may further reduce my risk to you.

You have looked at people many times over your life that bore the symbol of herpes in the form of a cold sore. Were you quick to stand in judgment of them? Did you assume they had a severe cold or flu and perhaps that cold sore was the lingering aftermath of that battle? You assumed wrong! That cold sore is herpes and has little to do with a cold or flu. In fact, cold sores are becoming the most common cause of genital herpes cases diagnosed in the U.S. month after month.

As a person living with genital herpes, I ask you to learn more about me. Place me in a position that I may feel more at ease speaking openly with you. Let me see that a disclosure of such a personal nature will not be comparable to a scene from some old Friday night horror flick in which you would run screaming in fear. If you would be open to my confiding in you, you may just learn that I am the most honest and trustworthy person that you could encounter.

The majority of us living with genital herpes have found ourselves in this situation by no choice of our own, having been the victim of deception, cheating spouses or significant others. Not only do we carry the burden of a former deception, we have a lingering reminder of that breech of trust thrust upon us by another. Certainly, in many cases genital herpes is a form of baggage from a relationship past, but in the face of an understanding person, it does not have to be emotional baggage.

Genital herpes can be a secret borne by anyone, regardless of gender, status, or background. The next person that you encounter is potentially one of us. It is everyone’s responsibility to understand the pervasive nature of this condition, and to develop a working knowledge of how it influences those around us.

* This article is quite possibly one of my favorite ever read on the topic of herpes.

HSV1 vs. HSV2 clarification

Question:

Can you catch HSV2 via oral sex? I was reading various informational sites so I can get more familiar with this virus and I don’t know if I am misinterpreting some of the information.

I was always taught and have read that you can have oral HSV1 and genital HSV1…and I know about genital HSV2, but can someone catch oral HSV2 by performing oral sex on someone with genital HSV2?

And if that is true, then that would mean they have cold sores caused by HSV2. I just never heard of that, so I am little confused.

Also, my boyfriend and I are both positive for HSV2. Do I have to worry about him catching HSV2 in his mouth if he performs oral sex on me?

Answer:

Yes but it does not happen often. In fact it is considered rare. Even if someone gets oral hsv2, they would be extremely unlikely to have outbreaks since hsv2 does not like the mouth area.

As always with herpes, anything is possible. So, while it is possible it is improbable.

Additionally, both you and your b/f have the same virus so you both have the antibodies that will protect you from getting this virus anywhere else on your body. Getting oral HSVII is rare and even rarer if you already have a HSVII infection. Just avoid oral sex or any sex during an OB.

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