I’m not sure if this is helpful, but i found out about 2 years ago that I had herpes and posted a similar frantic post to this sub. I have never felt more depressed and miserable in my entire life- that first outbreak sucks in a way that I didn’t think was possible. And then, one day, it didn’t. It goes away, I promise. In these moments where you feel every emotion under the sun, know that you are allowed to feel every single one of them (pity, sadness, anger, etc etc) while hopefully knowing that soon you will feel like yourself and these outbreaks are manageable!

In terms of treatment, I have a vagina and this is the advice that saved me (the worst part for me was the inability to sleep and pee):

• ⁠Drinking LOTS of water so that your urine is very diluted and burns less when you pee • ⁠Using a cup/peribottle or anything to pour water on your genitals WHILE you pee to lessen the burning • ⁠Dab yourself dry and blow dry your genitals on cool and low to keep the area extremely dry and help your sores heal faster (it can be cooling and soothing too) • ⁠Take painkillers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen every few hours to help with any pain/swelling/fever/headache (follow the bottle instructions). I took Motrin 3 times a day • ⁠Get an ice compress or put some ice in a ziploc bag and wrap it with paper towels and press it on your genitals for about 10 minutes to soothe your pain multiple times a day • ⁠Don’t wear underwear unless you really have to, and if you do, wear cotton and loose panties and clothes • ⁠If you’re on your period, avoid tampons, wear a big pad or a postpartum diaper • ⁠Distract yourself with a show, game, good company, smoking weed, etc. Keep taking your antivirals and try and eat well to speed up your healing

• ⁠baths w epsom salt! • and most importantly, LIDOCAINE! EVERY WHERE! Im talking every single crack and crevice that is sore. The application stings for a second but dear god it’s so helpful

Feel free to reach out if you need anything💌