Question:
I just was diagnosed with genital herpes. I'm still waiting for the blood test to come back next week, but the doctor seemed pretty sure about it. First off, this sucks. But I'm ok, much better than I thought I would be.

Anyways, I have a question, or two.

First off, my outbreak right now is very mild. I have had it for about 3 weeks now, and it has remained a small red spot on my prnis, and that's all. It has not turned into blister or errupted. I can even masturbate with no trouble. So I'm wonderin if this is the extent of it. I always hear that the first OB is the worst, and I'd love to believe that, because this isn't altogether too bad. Is this the general opinion? or should I brace myself for portntially more painful and noticable OBs in the future?

I don't know what my other question is or would be, but I feel like I have a million. My biggest concern is lifestyle. I like drinking, I like smoking and I like going out and meeting people. I feel like these hobbies (if they can be called that) are over. My entire lifestyle is over. The concept of the one night stand is over. The idea of meeting someone and going out on dates is over. Really it's pretty bad. And I read everyone here talking about how you have to tell your partner before sex. I understand that, and I will almost definitely be doing that, but it seems hypocrytical. I mean, so many people in the world have this on their mouths. So many people have oral sex, and no one ever stops mid way to say, oh, I have herpes on my lip sometimes, do you still want to do this. It just seems to me that about 90% of the population would say that they don't want to continue. I'm too nice a guy to not tell, I think. The guilt would kill me, but Doesn't it seem backwards, and seem like if you are responsible, and you use a condom and never have sex during an OB, it's no different than being one of the 80% of the population that has HSV-1 and gives oral sex without a second thought?

Sorry just a ramble there? The first question is the more important one. Thanks for reading and any advice.

Answer:
I forgot to mention that I have been getting cold sores on my mouth for a number of years, and I just realized that this could be relivant. It seems that having prior exposure to HSV of either kind will make any new transmission less severe. I still don't know what kind of HSV I had before and what kind I have now. I find out in a week.

Thanks for any responses.

Answer:
Yes, if you've already been exposed chances are your outbreaks won't be as bad because your body has built up antibodies. Plus if you are male, your symptoms aren't as severe as for females. God I love being a woman! :oops:

And you're right about the cold sore thing. Most people don't give it a second thought. Which they should because you can still give it to someone. The good thing is I don't think you can transmit it when the cold sore goes away. With genital, you're always at risk for transmitting it, blister or not. :(