need help coping

By ss0692 on Tue, 02-21-12, 12:56

Posted in Group:

Herpes

I'm a college sophomore and I just found out I have HSV. My boyfriend has been out of the country for school and is coming home this week. I'm so scared to tell him and to see what his reaction is. I'm having a lot of trouble coping with this because I honestly thought I'd never have to worry about this virus. I've been really upset about it and I haven't really talked to anyone yet. I'm just asking for some advice on how to cope with the initial finding out stage and if it gets easier from here on out, or any other helpful advice in general.

Login or register to post comments
0 Support

By truebeauty101 on Tue, 02-21-12, 13:30

Hello, :) well, first you need to realize your life is not over because of this. There are a lot worse things out there. And telling your boyfriend as soon as possible is best. Honesty, honesty, honesty. No better way to go. Yes, it does get easier, and if your boyfriend does not have it you guys can still have a healthy relationship without him catching it. There is medicine you can take daily, and with precautions, you dont have to pass it on. When you do tell him, make sure you explain these things, what it is exactly, and how it does not have to be the end.

Support Points: 1650

Badges

Offline

By ss0692 on Tue, 02-21-12, 19:50

Thanks for the advice. I told him and he was understanding and told me we would work it out together. I may have given it to him, or he may have given it to me without showing any symptoms we just don't know. I just have HSV on my mind all the time now especially since my initial breakout hasn't cleared up all the way yet. Walking to class is extremely painful, so that's on my mind for a good 20 min walk. I got diagnosed in the ER, so I haven't been able to get any treatment from my gyno yet. I see her in a few days. What should I expect with the medicine? Would I start out taking it every day, or just when I breakout, or does it just depend?

Support Points: 20

Badges

Offline

By Janexyz on Tue, 02-21-12, 20:23

Our first year is when we have the most outbreaks and are the most contagious. It's possible you have 1 outbreak each month with you period or it's possible you will only have 2 outbreaks in a full year. It all depends on your immune system.

Most people on here are on daily Valtrex. It's one pill a day and it helps control the outbreaks and it lowers your risk of passing it to your partner by a lot, the risk of someone getting it from you is down to 1% per year with your 1 pill a day and condoms.

In your situation. There is a possibility that your boyfriend has it. He should get tested as well. EVEN if he never had symptoms. 80% of men that have herpes will never show symptoms. If your boyfriend comes back positive then you both have it, you do not need to be on medicine and you do not need to use condoms. You cannot give to each other what you already have. Problem solved. You then would take Valtrex when you feel an outbreak coming on.

If your boyfriend comes back negative then your best option is daily Valtrex, mainly to protect him.

Support Points: 7140

Badges

Offline

The information provided on SupportGroups.com is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her health professional. This information and interaction provided on this site is solely for informational and educational purposes and does not constitute the practice of medicine. Information on this site does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Neither the owners or employees of SupportGroups.com nor the author(s) of site content take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, application of medication or any other action which results from reading this site. Always speak with your primary health care provider before engaging in any form of self treatment. Please see our Legal Statement for further information.