r/HSVpositive

In December I tested positive for herpes and I was devastated. Fast forward to now I tested negative for HSV1 and HSV2. I have a question so do I have it or not? Or was it a false positive?

Sixteen years ago, I contracted HSV-2 after an unprotected sexual encounter. Since that infection, I've been experiencing a symptom I had never had before: intermittent neuralgia in my lower limbs.

The pain affects my thighs, calves, and ankles. It's sharp and intense, localized to specific spots, and the skin in those areas becomes so hypersensitive that even a light touch is painful. Each episode lasts anywhere from 2 to 10 days, and it recurs roughly once a month. It has been causing me significant suffering for years.

I strongly suspect these attacks are related to the HSV-2 infection — possibly some form of post-herpetic or viral neuralgia — though I'd like to hear from others before drawing conclusions.

Has anyone else developed similar symptoms after being infected with HSV-2? I'd really appreciate hearing about your experiences, how you've managed it, and whether any treatments have helped.

Thank you.

Why in the world would a doctor and nurse tell me it was unnecessary to disclose GHSV1???

I sure would’ve liked a choice in NOT having it.

Also why didn’t they teach this stuff in sex ed?? I am VERY educated. But genuinely never knew you could get GHSV1 from oral sex. Or in my case SA.

This is going to be kind of a rant but about a month ago I (F) hung out with my ex (M) after 2 weeks of us not talking - we broke up a few months ago after 2 years of being together but have been on and off ever since. Both of us agreed we weren’t seeing other people because we were sort of working things out, but when we hung out again something felt off. I asked multiple times if he had slept with anyone and he swore up and down, swore on his mom and grandma, that he hadn’t been with anyone. A few days after we hung out, he called me and told me he tested positive for HSV-2 and accused me of sleeping with someone (I hadn’t). My 22nd birthday was 2 days later and I found out on my birthday that he was lying and had actually hooked up with one his female friends in those 2 weeks, without protection, and then lied to me and slept with me again, also with no protection. The friend had also been lying to my face about it. I didn’t have an outbreak or any symptoms so I was really hopeful that maybe I didn’t catch it because he didn’t have any symptoms until a few days after we hung out, but the other day was the 4 week mark since exposure so I got tested and both the IgM and IgG test came back positive for HSV-2. I just feel really disappointed because the lack of symptoms really got my hopes up that it would be negative.

I’ve been doing a lot of research in the last month so I know it’s not the end of world, but I feel so much worse that this guy has put me through hell for 2 years but I was dumb enough to fall for the “I’ve changed”, and now I have to deal with this for the rest of my life because I hung out with him one more time and didn’t trust my gut. I already started daily antivirals in hopes of avoiding an outbreak, but I have no idea what dating is going to be like going forward. I’m graduating college, starting a new job, and moving cities in a month and I was so excited for a fresh start but now all of that feels less exciting. I guess in a way it was harsh lesson on self respect, but I can’t help feeling like this guy really messed up the rest of my life and I let it happen. I know it’s not as serious as it feels right now, but the whole thing is just so disappointing in so many ways. Just wanted to share my experience with people who have maybe been through the same thing so I don’t feel so alone.

30 yo female with GHSV1. Have had it almost all my life. I’ve taken valacyclovir in the past, but stopped taking it about 2 years ago. Now that I’m single and wanting to date, I want to get back on it.

So I went to the doctor for the first time in forever to get back on meds and get more medical information about herpes. I’ve only talked to one other doctor about it and it wasn’t very helpful. I’ve also never told anyone personal about having it besides my relationships, so really the only info I have is from the internet. I’ve also acquired GHSV through a very traumatic event, so it takes a lot for me to be able to talk about that and I even told the doctor that.

When I said I wanted to get back on antivirals, she said they only give it if I have several breakouts a year. I told her I wanted it for more preventative for sex. She didn’t even acknowledge that or try to give me more info on sex and having herpes.

Since I’ve had GHSV for so long, I really don’t have many breakouts. When I do, it’s mostly major itching now. She then said itching is not a symptom of herpes…

She is referring me to an OBGYN, so hopefully I can get more info there. But overall, feeling very disappointed in my visit.

I was listening to a podcast and they mentioned Journaling for gratitude, and it really resonated with me. I dont think I express gratitude enough.

I'm grateful despite have hsv. im grateful to be alive, im grateful theres treatment, grateful to have access to medical care.

what are you grateful for today?

I had what now is confirmed to be my first HSV2 breakout this past week. Immediately saw a doctor and got blood tests and a swab. Blood tests were negative, swab was positive. Just found out this morning and can’t stop thinking about it. It’s intense.

I’m trying to figure out the timing of all this, to see who might’ve had it and didn’t disclose to me, or flat out didn’t know. I’m non-monogamous, but have a fairly close circle of partners, so there will be a good bit of tough convos in the coming day or two.

I’m just so sad and disappointed, mainly because a lot is about to change it seems, and things were so good.

So I guess my question is, from your experiences, what’s been the typical amount of time that’s gone by between first exposure and first breakout? Google says 2-20 days, but also has a huge grey area of “could be dormant for years before the first outbreak” so I thought I’d just ask.

I was diagnosed with hsv2 about a month ago. I've told about 6 people (friends and family). All have been supportive, but I'm struggling a bit with how to label myself going forwards. I'm going to see a friend today (who I havent told) and when I mentioned it to my best friend she asked 'are you going to tell them?'. It's an innocent question, and my answer was no, but it's just had me thinking.

I don't want to be the herpes girl to everyone, and I don't want this to be something that defines me. I want to go about a normal life unless I need to disclose to someone intimately. With that said, at the moment it really does define me. Since my first outbreak i've already had another, i'm constantly trying new treatments, i've decided to start suppressive aciclovir but i can still feel tingling in the background and I'm worried it wont work. If this continues then I don't know what that means for me.

Does everyone in your life know you have herpes? Do your friends see you with that in mind all the time? Is the first month always disruptive? I've read so many stories where people get one outbreak and not another for months, the two in a row has got me down. I also was rejected by my fwb immediately after getting it, just blocked and ghosted. I'm not without hope, and feel okay most of the time, but I'm just a bit unsure.

Hi there, so I had someone else order me a western blot and they gave me the box and told me to go to a clinic to get my blood withdrawn and ship it.

This is all new to me and I’ve never done this before, so I went to the clinic, it was like a blood drawing clinic, so they did that, helped me package the box. But I had to ship it myself through fed ex. Something about that the box had no shipping tag for them to ship it themselves. So I went to fed ex and shipped it overnight 130$ later lol. But I got a call the next day, they received my package but she needs a provider to fill out the requisition form and fax it. And this is where I’m stumped.

Went to urgent care, got denied, went to cvs minute clinic, got denied. I’m going to try Novant occupational health and see if they’ll do it.

I know because this test kit wasn’t ordered by the doctor clinic themselves they’re skeptical about doing a send out lab test kit. But geez, I just want my results. I’m not asking for anything crazy. And I’m paranoid if my I take too long then would I have to redo this all over again?

I was raped while unconscious and he also performed oral sex on me with a cold sore on his mouth.

I am 30F and have always walked the straight and narrow with my sex life. Only with serious relationships. Always tested before and after. Always clean. Always responsible.

I was taken advantage of when I was intoxicated with someone I met two weeks prior.

My life truly feels over and I don’t want to be here anymore. He gave me GHSV1 and I had an outbreak. It was so traumatizing.

Who is going to want to have sex with me now? Or be with me? 😭 this is the worst thing that ever happened to me.

Sex ed wasn't a thing in any of my schools. And sex is still very unspoken and even taboo to talk about.

Since being diagnosed with hsv2, only then I had to educate myself on everything!

I always, ALWAYS thought everything was safe with a condom on. Little did I know this little monster of an std, was a slap to the face of what society placed in a bubble of prevention.

Posted from my burner but got removed by auto mod due to account age.

She’s in residency and really sweet. This is the first time I’ve been scared to disclose bc I feel like we could actually work long term. I’m hoping that a medical professional might be understanding? For some reason with most women I don’t care bc deep down I feel like we wouldn’t have worked out anyway. But now for some reason this little glimmer of hope is giving me anxiety.

Not to be dramatic but it reminds me of a show where this prisoner was prepared for execution and had accepted her fate and was fearless about it. But then one of the antagonists offered to kill the guards and free her, her exterior dropped at the small chance she would be able to live. Then the antagonist cruelly reveals it was only a joke and walks off. The prisoner bows her head in shame and anger for allowing herself to hope, allowing the antagonist to break her resolve to die. She then wept in her cell as she came to the realization that she truly wanted to live.

Idk I’m just yapping into the void bc I haven’t told anybody about my diagnosis except partners. I’m just scared and hoping for some words of encouragement.

EDIT: I always disclose in person but the fear has me just wanting to do it over text so I don’t have to see the reaction in real time. Any advice?

Just curious on others’ perspective:

Dating has completely changed for me since my dx.

I never had a problem with rejection until this, and it’s been humbling since. I’ve disclosed to men that I wasn’t attracted to, knowing they’d be ok with it. I know looks isn’t everything, but I’d like to have an attraction to my person.

With new treatments coming out like Pritelivir and hopefully ABI 5366 in the future, do you foresee people becoming more accepting/educated?

*And before it’s said: Ppl have the right to not want this. We don’t even want this. **

I stopped taking daily 500 mg Valacyclovir months ago because I was worried about long term use, and now I've got a cold sore that started yesterday. I feel guilty because the day before the outbreak I performed oral sex on my boyfriend, plus we kissed the same day as the outbreak before I realized I was getting one. Note: he's known since the beginning of our relationshipthat I've got herpes.

How much should I increase the dosage during the outbreak?

I have GHSV2, and am having a OB. However my partner has GHSV2 as well, I contracted it not long ago. But my past OBs I would take meds. For this ON would it be best to not take meds and let my body build antibodies? I am not worried about spreading it to my partner because they have it. If I should, is there any topical treatments to help with the itching/pain?

so i had disclosed to one guy in the 3ish months ive had ghsv1 and he said it was fine but he clearly did not want to have sex and said some crazy rude shit abt me having herpes. told him to get fucked 2 days ago when he texted again asking for head.

i’d been texting a new guy for a few days and went over to his place to meet him last night. about 30 minutes in i said so you know cold sores like hsv1? i have hsv1. he said his mom dad and sister all have ohsv1 and he knows he could be asymptomatic especially cuz his ex got it when they were together and he’d done a fair amount of research cuz she accused him. i told him i have ghsv1 from getting head from someone with ohsv1 and then he started talking about how the french essentially invented oral sex. i clarified that he’s fine with me having it since the french showing oral sex to american soldiers wasn’t really a clear answer lmao and he was pretty unphased. just got back from his place, i gave him head like 3 times and we had unprotected sex twice :) (ik he understands the risk and i am on daily antivirals - i think he assumes he has it already).

only thing better would be if he knew he already had it for sure. don’t settle for shit heads jus because you have herpes!!

I have GHSV, I disclosed to my now husband when we first met. He never saw it as a big deal, I think I’ve always been more upset about it than him. I never wanted him to contract it, but we both did the research and knew it was a possibility especially being in a long term relationship. I still took all the precautions, but he ended up contracting it about 2 years in. Even after he did get it, he was not upset at all, and he’s never been worried about it ever. I on the other hand feel so guilty, especially when he has an outbreak which he does a lot more than I did. Now that he does have it, I also get OBs more frequently and they use to stay in the same spot but now it jumps between 2 places. His also move around too. I just feel so bad he has to deal with this now too, even though he has never once made me feel bad about it but I still do 😭

I am the only one that has noticed that once you start getting that tingling feeling down there, start fasting and it will go away.

I heard Dan Savage on The Love Drive podcast with Shaun Galanos recently, in which the host talks about being diagnosed with HSV (not sure what type). It's a brief discussion early in the episode, but it made me feel so much better about dating prospects with HSV and the absolutely overblown stigma that exists. While acknowledging that some number of people have more serious outcomes, Dan was basically like "It's a skin condition." You take precautions, but ultimately the risk is a cost of doing business. The host also stated that it's had almost no effect on his active dating life, re: disclosure. Thought someone may like to hear this and I recommend listening!

I was recently diagnosed with herpetic keratitis (I have no history of other HSV in my body) and honestly I’m really anxious about what this means long-term. I keep thinking that this might permanently change my life—that I won’t be able to function normally, go out with friends, or enjoy things the way I used to without worrying about triggering a recurrence.

Also, everything I’ve been seeing online has been scaring me a lot because it feels like most people are having such a hard time managing it or dealing with constant recurrences. It’s making me feel like this is something that will just take over my life.

For those who have it, how has your life been since your diagnosis? Were you still able to go out, have fun, and live normally? How do you deal with the fear of it coming back?

I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences.