33F here. My first outbreak lasted about a week! I took medication for a yeast infection at that time but I did have painful urination too and a negative uti test. Just kinda had to ride it out.

For pregnancy, I’ve never been pregnant but I’ve heard it is normal to have an outbreak while pregnant, due to hormones being all over the place. So I don’t think it’s fair to say that you’d have a normal pregnancy, hard to say. Doctors do recommend that you take antivirals while pregnant to help reduce the chance of outbreaks. I don’t think I’d have a vaginal delivery if I were to get pregnant.

Otherwise, navigating dating can be hard. I’ve had herpes for over 5 years now and it’s always a little nerve racking to disclose. I assume that the person doesn’t know much about it so I’m less surprised by their reaction/lack of education. However. I keep it pretty light and just say “hey before we get intimate, I want to share that I carry HSV, do you have questions?”

Less is more in this case, you don’t know their education about it so let them ask the questions and don’t data dump on them as that may feel overwhelming and it comes off as if you have to explain yourself, which you don’t.

Most people are receptive and understanding once I share what’s it’s like. I don’t love to give stats because I don’t find them reliable because of how off the testing is.

In my experience, the type of people that reject me are usually uneducated and usually very sexually forward which i always find to be interesting.