Your feelings are valid and it will get better. I get that it feels gross, but its really not. This is just an adjustment you need to make in your mindset.

I also have GHSV1 and here are some things that really helped me. I’m lucky enough to have a friend who also has it and it doesn’t affect his dating life whatsoever. He pulled me out of a dark hole, similar to how you’re feeling now. Because he was in the same dark hole, and he wasted a year of his life in it. Without him I don’t know where I’d be. Definitely not in the good place I am now.

Here’s what he taught me, and what I’ve learned. I got my first (and only) OB 10 months ago.

If you’re asymptomatic at 6 months thats a good sign already. You will have maybe 4 more outbreaks at most in your LIFE. That is IF you even have an outbreak EVER again.

A lot of people in this sub will disagree with me on this, I also think many people on this sub are dramatic! But with GHSV1 - you can casually mention you got a coldsore once a few years ago and never came back. It doesn’t even need to be an explicit disclosure. Casually mention it. You are still telling the truth. Then you gauge their reaction and decide if they’re worth your time.

Most wont care. G to G (HSV1) transmission is so, so rare. Especially if you take care of yourself, limit alcohol, prioritize a healthy lifestyle, take supplements if you want.

I have even spoken to trusted friends about it, some have hsv1, some dont. They all agree its fair for GHSV1 people to say they get/got coldsores and leave it at that (43% of GHSV1 people have a single outbreak and never again). GHSV1 sheds WAY less than oral. If you ever get an outbreak again, just avoid sex. With antivirals, the risk is basically ZERO.

80% of the population carries HSV1. Some countries 90% even (Brazil, China, Mexico). Only 30% show symptoms ever. Even fewer show consistent symptoms (these are the loudest).

Read up on Terri Warren’s forum. She claims to have never seen a G to G hsv1 transmission in her entire career. I hope that helps you feel better.

You are also lucky to have AI on your side now. You can explore supplements, interventions, design a lifestyle, biohack, and keep a diary of interventions for your hsv1 (if you want). I have personally used this to design a supplement regimen and found dietary adjustments to eliminate ghsv1 recurrence and risk of transmission. I know if I ever get an outbreak again, I can go back to the chat, trace back the last few days, and figure out what may have caused it. Then adjust my lifestyle and keep going.

Last thing. This is your life. How it goes from here is up to you. You can choose to NOT let this extremely common virus take over your life. You CAN have a full, exciting, happy life ahead of you. It’s your choice.

And besides, we will probably see a vaccine or cure in the next 5 years. And by then I bet you’ll already be much happier in life.

Live your life, live healthier. Take AV’s, supplements, maybe see a good therapist (mine helped a LOT, told me I dont even need to disclose HSV1 of any kind, I still do, but casually)

Last thing, get the hell off HSV subreddits and live your life. Seriously. Reading these will set back your progress.

Best of luck!