Question:
This is my first post on the site.
I was diagnosed about 4 years ago with genetal herpes i was 18. I contracted it through oral sex my g/f at the time. We had been dating and been sexually active for some time before but the outbreak happened at 18. We were both our first sexual partners. What luck i have.
The doc did not do any test it was only a visual examination. I took 2 500mg Valtrex for about 5 days and it all went away. I have not had an outbreak since (knock on wood) . I am going to take a test soon to confirm the diagnosis. But if im not mistaken if i have HSV 1 in the genetals it is less harsh than type 2?? And the fact that i havnt had an outbreak in so long does in diminish the viral shedding??
I love my g/f very much and i have to live with the fact that i always have a possibility of giving it to her. She is an angel to me and i dont want to do anything to harm her.

Thank you

Answer:
dear b.s,
i can relate i had just turned 18 when i was diagnosed and i turn 19 soon so i've have had it a year (maybe longer who knows). my boyfriend probably gave it to me orally has i have type 1. i've had two other partners but they have little to no sexual experience or coldsores so i doupt it was them. to me, you sound like the ANGEL. hear you are, having got this from your girlfriend (ofcourse no-one is to blame except ill education on coldsores probably) and you want to do what you can to protect her. this is a beautiful thing! i won't go into the facts about herpes type 1 as if you look on the internet you'll find all you need to know, but something interesting i found out is type 1 has only a small (something like 4%) transmittion rate per year so it's hard to pass on genital to genital which is good, good luck and best wishes, jay