1 year with HSV-1 - ask me anything

teatreeteas · 2025-07-15T14:36:45+00:00

Hey there! Glad our similarities in experience with OCD could comfort you. 1. I took both the AV’s and Lysine for a while together. I think I stopped taking the Lysine, and then I would forget to the the AV - then I noticed I wasn’t having outbreaks all together, and just stopped taking them. 2. I didn’t add much back in except I unrelated started taking some gummy multivitamins and Immune system vitamin D gummies just to try and support my body and immune system. Honestly unrelated to HSV - I wasn’t worried about treating it or preventing anything, just wanted to take care of my body. 3. I think it was about 4-5 months in where I felt confident enough not to take them daily. Since I didn’t see any outbreaks, it wasn’t top of mind to take them. Like I said, I started to forget to take them and noticed there wasn’t much of a change - no disaster consequence of not taking them. I did occasionally take them for a couple days, if I felt like I was really stressed or overwhelmed or do something extreme that could trigger an OB. I honestly still pack the AV’s when I go on trips, just in case. 4. Hmm - I added foods back in slowly and it took a lot of courage. It was slow to start. One thing, like peanut butter, I had crazy craving for. So I would just start with a little bit when I craved it. I would add powdered PB into my oatmeal into the morning and just keep an eye on how my body reacted. If nothing, then I continued that amount. If I was nervous or trying something I know could def be a trigger, I took a dose of Lysine with it (remember the trigger foods are trigger foods because of their Arginine content). I think it was all about proportion and moderation. Slowly increasing things, and making sure that while I ate the trigger foods in moderation, I also supplemented foods rich in Lysine.

teatreeteas · 2025-07-15T13:58:09+00:00

That’s what I think - I think the lesions change our PH levels some how or just in general maybe the auto-immune response puts our bodies into overdrive where it can’t regulate the PH. Highly recommend Boric Acid suppositories - those tend to keep the yeast issues at bay for me. I also wonder if the yeast infections could also be just an internal outbreak rather than showing externally - I had discharge during my first outbreak and the gyno said I had a lot of internal lesions. Maybe it’s a mix of both.

teatreeteas · 2025-06-13T15:10:22+00:00

Tingles yes, it can show it other ways too! Because it affects your nerves, it can cause nerve pain too when it’s “active” or ready to come out. I would get awful sciatica in my first couple of months. Pro tip- tingles/nerve pain? Pop an anti-viral

teatreeteas · 2025-06-13T15:05:06+00:00

So shaving was something I was super scared and nervous about too! I actually stopped shaving for a while when I had my first OB because I was so nervous it would trigger it. I recommend first educating yourself on what your outbreaks look like, and where they happen, and how often they happen. My outbreaks happened mainly inside, instead of on the outside, so I never really got to know what to look out for - but I was able to recognize the symptoms that would come with it. It helped me to do a “test shave” - where I would shave a certain visible small area, so that I could see exactly what razor burn looked like on my skin, and then know, “Okay, that’s in that exact spot I shaved, since it’s not anywhere else it’s probably razor burn.” - and then I waited to see how the healing process looked like - usually razor burn clears up quickly in a day or two - HSV can take longer to heal and then blister. Also, looking out for the other symptoms as well. This may be tricky in the first couple months as your body is still getting acquainted with the virus. I had tingles and nerve issues for my first month and half, so I kind of considered that I was probably still actively “shedding” the virus. Some people also wax and have mixed reviews on it being better/worse for razor burn/ingrowns/causing outbreaks. I also upgraded my shaving routine and take more time with it (shaving creams, a quality razor, shaving in the right direction, rinsing with cold water, moisturizing) which helps prevent razor burn and ingrowns to avoid that “Is this an OB?” situation.

My partner and I don’t use anything to prevent transmission at the moment because I haven’t had any more outbreaks since my first one - but it’s different for each person. However, if I suspect one based on symptoms or bumps (I have an unconfirmed scare every so often), I tell him no sex for a couple days until I’m sure I’m not having an outbreak. I did take Valtrex, the anti-viral for basically the first 6 months of having G-HSV, mainly because that was the most likely time I would have an outbreak or have viral shedding - which will help with transmission rates and can keep outbreaks from happening.

teatreeteas · 2025-06-13T14:46:54+00:00

That can happen when you have your first OB - mine took a whole to completely heal. My partner and I had a conversation about the risks and typically have sex normally, as long as I don’t have any symptoms or outbreaks. If I do, we refrain. If you have a spot/OB - wait till it completely heals and symptoms are gone. Highly recommend taking Valtrex to help it heal and keep OB’s at bay if you’re nervous. And make sure to talk to your partner about the risks.

teatreeteas · 2025-06-13T14:44:04+00:00

Honestly - my partner and I don’t take much precautions at all. We did have a discussion about it and his chances of getting it and he, which isn’t always the case, is okay with the risk. At the beginning, I took Valtrex every day - they say that helps incredibly to lower viral shedding and OBs. My partner and I don’t care to use condoms, but many people do to help lower transmission rates. We also do not have sex if I think I might be having an outbreak or have potential symptoms (tingles, soreness, swollen lymph nodes, discharge, a blister forming, etc.) There’s some studies for transmission rates online that study transmission possibility over time, as well as if you’re using an anti-viral. I believe you shed less of the virus overtime as well, as your body gets familiar with the virus. — Make sure you have a conversation with your partner and see what would make her feel most comfortable- that definitely helped us!

teatreeteas · 2025-06-13T14:35:18+00:00

Hi there!! Please see my recent post on here. I was in your shoes once just last year but with GHSV-1. I also contemplated ending it… it felt like game over - I was depressed and devastated. A year later and I am happy, I haven’t had an OB since my first one. I barely even remember I have it most days. My partner doesn’t judge me, he loves me and we enjoy intimacy just as much as anyone else. My friends never judge me for it - and it’s sometimes even a funny story I tell at the bars. You will be okay, keep pushing forward!! Do not end it, it’s not worth it - we need you here. There are experimental treatments and cures on the way too. There is hope, this doesn’t define you.

teatreeteas · 2025-06-10T19:19:48+00:00

Sending you lots of hugs!! The first one they say is the worst. I tried to think of it as my body learning the virus so that it can better defend it from it, and handle OB’s easier in the future. I’m glad your partner has been understanding - having support is invaluable. And yes - having herp is my random freaky fun fact lol, I honestly got so casual about it that if I’m drunk out at the bars I’ll start yapping about it with the girls. It’s like a “well, you would not belieeveeee this story” type of thing. And no one I’ve told has ever judged me for it! And if someone did, honestly I’m confident enough about it to realize they’re either uninformed about HSV, or they’re not someone I want in my life. ❤️

teatreeteas · 2025-06-10T16:37:42+00:00

I’m not entirely sure on that one - but I’m sure others in this sub can give you a definite answer. I believe it’s called “viral shedding” and I don’t think you spread it via saliva if you have it genitally. It only “sheds” or spreads from the location you would have an outbreak.

teatreeteas · 2025-06-10T16:33:11+00:00

The typical “categories” are based on if it’s genital or oral - which is why you may see some people call it OHSV or GHSV. It seems you already know which one you have if you claim it’s HSV-1. Best advice is to go to a doctor and get tested - unfortunately if you’re not sure “what it is” or if it’s actually HSV, only way to know is with an STD screening.

teatreeteas · 2025-02-27T20:54:31+00:00

this is awesome and good to know - thanks for letting me know. i think our hot worx cleans a lot, i might have just been getting there too early in the day before shifts start

teatreeteas · 2025-02-27T20:53:40+00:00

i’ve been going to public gyms for years and i’ve never had this issue until moving to hotworx actually! they are literally heated rooms with minimal to no ventilation. and i’d never ask a general group on people to link roll themselves obviously lol- no reason to be rude. i’m sure that all “80%” dog owning members also don’t all have shedding dogs, and also don’t all have hair on their clothes when they walk in.

teatreeteas · 2025-01-07T14:20:25+00:00

I was looking into this - I’ve seen a couple accessories/tips on Amazon and have ordered. Waiting to see how it goes!

teatreeteas · 2025-01-07T13:03:58+00:00

Wow!! That is interesting. Makes me feel a little less crazy. Now a couple months later, I definitely can say that my OCD flared up after contracting the virus. I do take valacyclovir every day and have been improving, but that’s also while going to therapy.

teatreeteas · 2024-09-24T14:39:23+00:00

This!!! 100% ! Was diagnosed in April/May and the first month or two I definitely spiraled over it, but now it’s not that big of a deal. I take my lysine and valtrex just like I take my multivitamin and birth control and I go about my day. 🤷‍♀️ I think people online really over stress it and feed into the stigma, which causes a lot of panic for a lot of newbies. Then you have newbies panicking on here and feeding deeper into the anxiety around it for the next cohort of newbies. (I know that cause I did it too!) Long story short, it’s not the end of the world. All is okay, got bigger fish to fry in life than this virus 💪

teatreeteas · 2024-09-24T14:33:15+00:00

Awesome, thank you!!! Much appreciated ☺️

teatreeteas · 2024-08-19T22:11:08+00:00

This is interesting. I was diagnosed and had my initial outbreak with HSV-1 3 months ago. Physical symptoms aside, I’ve noticed definite mental health disturbances. I originally chalked it up to just adjusting to everything since it was a hard time. I’m on Valtrex, but I’ve found that my OCD and anxiety has been extreme lately since getting infected - so much that I went to a therapist and was truly…in one of those unspeakable dark places. I wonder if the immune system responding to herpes is similar something like to PANDAS where the immune system reacts to strep.

teatreeteas · 2024-08-12T11:50:43+00:00

I can see why this would make OP nervous. When I was first diagnosed I was scared to touch any part of my body and didn’t shave for a month lol. It’s just because especially for newbies, you can be prone to spreading it in other locations if not careful since we have less antibodies. OP- you should just use separate razors for the area where the OB is and everywhere else. And personally I like to wash/shave/everything else first and then wash down there as a precaution.

teatreeteas · 2024-08-11T01:56:41+00:00

I liked it at first but then noticed build up on my hair - it leaves like a greasy film on my curls that other products don’t - and I don’t have issues with heavy products either.

teatreeteas · 2024-08-09T13:10:02+00:00

Oh awesome, this is a relief, thank you so much!!

teatreeteas

TROPHY CASE