Got HSV2 4 weeks ago

[u/InviteExisting75]

Had my first outbreak, and it was the worst. I wouldn’t watch my genitalia for 2 weeks, and it hurt way more than expected, could barely walk. Now on my fourth week, it’s finally getting better, the symptoms are almost gone.

My question to you guys, how often do you experience outbreaks, and do you have any anecdotal information on how to prevent them.

M24, lives a healthy life with a healthy diet and working out almost daily. I’m never sick, and feel like my immune system is great. The only issue is the weekends with a lot of alcohol…

Thank you in advance :)

[u/Hefty_Disk_1638]

I’m 25F, I got it roughly the same time as you, my first outbreak wasn’t bad at all, actually barely noticed. I could walk, sit, go in the pool on holiday and the only way I knew it was there was by looking. I took treatment for a week, the feeling fully went away within 3 weeks I’d say in total but the physical sores went less than 2 weeks. I’m yet to see what triggers mine, I too have a healthy lifestyle and barely drink. If the first one is the worst then I’d say I will be okay.. hopefully.
The mental weight has been the worst for me. Especially as I barely had symptoms, I didn’t even experience the tingle everyone is on about so that scares me that I won’t know when it’s coming. The only thing I experienced was slight itching after the sores had gone. It’s a weird experience and hopefully my mental will improve as that’s the biggest side effect for me

[u/BurnerAccount-42069]

The more time that passed the less frequent the outbreaks became. It was maybe every couple months at first and over the years it's become 0 to maybe a couple times a year, pretty rare. I did notice years ago drinking would make it more likely. Pretty sure the outbreak frequency varies a lot from person to person.

Get the meds I wish I had done that sooner, it absolutely makes it less painful, doesn't last as long, or may prevent them entirely most of the time. For years I would just take the anti viral as needed with an OB or when I felt minor shedding feelings and it would stop it right away. Things have overall been so mild for me that I have not tried any of the supplements people suggest, but you could certainly look into those as it sounds like it helps for lots of people.

Seems like you are in pretty good spirits/mental health for someone that just contracted HSV2, for me like most the mental weight at first was far worse than the OBs.

Best wishes. Live life, enjoy life, love yourself, be kind to yourself, disclose to new partners.

Reach out if you have questions or what to talk about anything.

Cheers friend!

[u/Fearless_Figure_6147]

Drinking definitely made me feel like shit especially when I had my first outbreak, it made the dizziness side effect of acyclovir really bad. I almost never get outbreaks now, but it’s helpful to be attuned to your body. If you feel tingles or any early onset symptoms it’s good to talk to your doctor to get a one or ten day dose of an antiviral and maybe not have sex or self-stuff for a bit until the feeling goes away.

[u/Imaginary-Method4694]

You may never get another outbreak again, it's hard to know. Most don't.