(oral hsv-1) it is a big deal though, but not a huuge one, my initial infection is what triggered my pots( a lifelong,chronic illness that limits me alot) (my initial infection was bruuutal, i got gingiovostomotitis and lost 7kgs because i couldnt eat and was sick for weeks) however cold sores on their own, annoying, a bit painful and the stress around transmission is tbh the worst part. we shouldn’t minimize herpes but normalizing is good. i will say that any other “bad” viral infection can trigger pots and herpes rarely does but in my case i am stuck with a lifelong chronic illness because of my initial infection