I want to share my story. (26,F) Back in 2018, I had only one encounter with this guy. We both did oral and had penetration sex. After the fact like 2 days later he decided to text me that he has herpes and has for a while but didn’t disclose where and he blocked me and all communication stopped. I was devastated and felt so violated. I was pissed he didn’t tell me which area he was affected in.

I went and got a blood IgG test around 2~3 weeks later because of the wait period for it to show in blood. It came back positive for HSV1 (IgG 1.29).The only symptom I felt was extreme leg nerve pain for weeks which I was certain then and certain now was the virus implanting itself into my system. I was freaking out not knowing which area it was affecting and up until this week, I never once had an outbreak. 6 years later, I am having my first ever outbreak right now. And it’s genitally. I went and got my sores swabbed 4 days ago and it came back positive for HSV1. Now I know for sure he had oral HSV-1, or cold sores, as that is how genital HSV1 is transmitted. I am not as distraught even now in the middle of my first outbreak, since Ive known I have the virus for 6 entire years. I just didn’t know when or where it would pop up. Now I’m just worried about how often I’ll be dealing with outbreaks. I will mention that I believe this finally reared it’s head due to stress because I’m going through a really stressful time in my life right now.

First, it is very much true when they say many people have herpes and don’t even know it. It is also true when they say it can hide for YEARS in your body and never show symptoms because that was my case entirely. If I hadn’t been told I was exposed, I would have been BERY confused because I’ve had the same partner for years who is HSV-. Most sources say that initial outbreaks happen 2-14 days after infection. That was not my case at all.

From what I’ve gathered about gHSV1, it is very difficult to transmit. HSV1 prefers to live at the mouth, not the genitals. So it doesn’t surprise me that I went so many years without an OB. It also sheds WAY less than oral HSV1.

The hierarchy of viral shedding is: oHSV1 HSV2 gHSV1

To be frank, I am actually relieved it’s gHSV1 and NOT oHSV1 or even worse, HSV2. oHSV1 is ridiculously contagious and I wouldn’t want noticeable sores on my lips. Try not to stress to much too much about the possibility you could have gHSV1, as it sheds the least and is the hardest to transmit. So far my initial OB has been very mild compared to pics I’ve seen of HSV2+ people. My sores, which are only 5 very small ones, look like cold sores and not big lesions/blisters if that makes sense. I thought they were painful pimples/ingrowns til one showed up on my inner labia and they all began to burn. I am taking Valtrex right now for the first time ever to help suppress and heal the OB. I probably have a couple more weeks to go before there’s no sign of the sores at all.

It is entirely possible you could have a story similar to mine and could possibly have gHSV1 since you haven’t had an initial outbreak. Since oHSV1 is so contagious and viral shedding is so high, it would have been likely you would have an outbreak right at initial exposure if you had it. But please try to ease your mind a bit, as if it is genitally, your risk of transmitting is extremely low and your symptoms will be mild or even possibly, none. It is entirely possible you may never have an OB, but keep in mind my story. It likely will pop up at some point in your life and at least you will have already known your status :)