Tested Positive for Herpes Simplex 1, What To Do?

Question

Just found out today that I have herpes simplex 1, the doctor told me that all the test says is that "I have had it at some time in my life and that my body is fighting it." No test can tell me when or how I got it or if it's currently active. I could've been born with it or could've picked it up a week ago. The doc also said that it's not really an std and by adulthood 90% of people will test positive for it. I'm 26 and I've never had any symptoms of it ever (cold sores, blisters etc.). Should I be worried? Is this normal?

Answer 1

Most people test positive for Herpes Simplex 1.  Nothing to really worry about, except that it can be spread.

Answer 2

That's the mouth one, right?  I don't think that one is considered a big deal any more, because it's like the common cold.  Just keep your mouth to yourself when you get a cold sore.

Answer 3

Pretty Much everyone you know has Herpes 1, so there is nothing you can do about it, infact don't even worry about it.

There is nothing you can do about it. Ever seen someone with a coldsore? Maybe your mum/aunty/uncle/friend. Guess what that means they have herpes1 too.

You can't do anything about it, the only thing you can do, is if you one day do get a cold sore, treat it.

I am 24 years old. I have HSV1. When did i get it?? who knows. Who gave it to me?? who knows. What can you do... nothing.  

Answer 4

Whether it's HSV 1 or 2 you can actually be infected either in the mouth or the genital area--the virus can infect you either place.  That said, it is more common to have HSV1 in the mouth area and HSV2 in the genital area.  It's good that you have no symptoms so you are not bothered by them and your body is handling the virus well.  Nonetheless, there is something called asymptomatic shedding that can cause you to spread the virus even without symptoms.  That is likely how you got it in the first place, when someone else wasn't having symptoms but was shedding.  It's nothing to worry about per se, but it is something you could pass on to someone else.

Answer 5

sadly to say...it is pretty normal. many people have been exposed to hsv1...easily through saliva (i.e. sharing utensil, kissing, etc.). if you think about it, this can be so easily transmitted at childhood b/c everyone kisses babies. most of the time you cant ever and will never know how you got it. just from now on, do your friends a favor and dont share drinks lol.  

Answer 6

chop ure d**k off

Answer 7

Yes it's a form of herpes. Don't kiss anyone when you have a visible cold sore on your mouth. Be careful! Eat healthy! Don't let it get the best of you.

Answer 8

pretty much certain things such as stress, sickness[ when your immune system isnt as strong] and many other triggers can cause a coldsore...you really have nothing to worry about though, since as mentioned before most adults test positive for herpes simplex...its not bad.

Answer 9

The virus is probably there but it has not yet submerged.  I have type 1 as well, and it's different for everyone.  I had my first and only outbreak when I was 9 years old.  I am now 27 and have only had that one.  My mother has one 6 times a year.  So its different for everyone.  From what I hear it can sit in your system for a long long time before you have any symptoms of it.  Some Dr's say it only take 2-3 week once you've been exposed to it.  I think Dr.'s are full of it and they are so caught up in the Rx drug business.  My mother said that when she was my age she asked her Dr. for medication (like valtrex) and they laughed at her and of course refused to write the Rx. (her dermatologist originally wrote the Rx) now it is openly used today.  Don't always believe your dr.  Talk to friends and discussion boards like this one to cross reference what your dr tells you.

Answer 10

Listen to your dr. Most people have herpes simplex 1 in their saliva, I don't think it will ruin your life, no don't be worried.

Answer 11

Taken directly from: http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/ski...

Maybe you've heard of a fever blister — a cold sore is the same thing. They're pretty common and lots of people get them. So what exactly are cold sores and what causes them?

What's a Cold Sore?

Cold sores, which are small and somewhat painful blisters that usually show up on or around a person's lips, are caused by the herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). But they don't just show up on the lips. They can sometimes be inside the mouth, on the face, or even inside or on the nose. These places are the most common, but sores can appear anywhere on the body, including the genital area.

Genital herpes isn't typically caused by HSV-1; it's caused by another type of the herpes simplex virus called herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) and is spread by sexual contact. But even though HSV-1 typically causes sores around the mouth and HSV-2 causes genital sores, these viruses can cause sores in either place.

What Causes a Cold Sore?

HSV-1 is very common — if you have it, chances are you picked it up when you were a kid. Most people who are infected with the herpes simplex virus got it during their preschool years, most likely from close contact with someone who has it or getting kissed by an adult with the virus.

Although a person who has HSV-1 doesn't always have sores, the virus stays in the body and there's no permanent cure.

When someone gets infected with HSV-1, the virus makes its way through the skin and into a group of nerve cells called a ganglion (pronounced: gang-glee-in). The virus moves in here, takes a long snooze, and every now and then decides to wake up and cause a cold sore. But not everyone who gets the herpes simplex virus develops cold sores. In some people, the virus stays dormant (asleep) permanently.

What causes the virus to "wake up" or reactivate? The truth is, no one knows for sure. A person doesn't necessarily have to have a cold to get a cold sore — they can be brought on by other infections, fever, stress, sunlight, cold weather, hormone changes in menstruation or pregnancy, tooth extractions, and certain foods and drugs. In a lot of people, the cause is unpredictable.

Here's how a cold sore develops:

The herpes simplex virus-1, which has been lying dormant in the body, reactivates or "wakes up."

The virus travels toward the area where the cold sore decides to show up (like a person's lip) via the nerve endings.

The area below the skin's surface, where the cold sore is going to appear, starts to tingle, itch, or burn.

A red bump appears in the area about a day or so after the tingling.

The bump blisters and turns into a cold sore.

After a few days, the cold sore dries up and a yellow crust appears in its place.

The scab-like yellow crust falls off and leaves behind a pinkish area where it once was.

The redness fades away as the body heals and sends the herpes simplex virus back to "sleep."

How Do Cold Sores Spread?

Cold sores are really contagious. If you have a cold sore, it's very easy to infect another person with HSV-1. The virus spreads through direct contact — through skin contact or contact with oral or genital secretions (like through kissing). Although the virus is most contagious when a sore is present, it can still be passed on even if you can't see a sore. HSV-1 can also be spread by sharing a cup or eating utensils with someone who has it.

In addition, if you or your partner gets cold sores on the mouth, the herpes simplex virus-1 can be transmitted during oral s*x and cause herpes in the genital area.

Herpes simplex virus-1 also can spread if a person touches the cold sore and then touches a mucous membrane or an area of the skin with a cut on it. Mucous membranes are the moist, protective linings made of tissue that are found in certain areas of your body like your nose, eyes, mouth, and v****a. So it's best to not mess with a cold sore — don't pick, pinch, or squeeze it.

Actually, it's a good idea to not even touch active cold sores. If you do touch an active cold sore, don't touch other parts of your body. Be especially careful about touching your eyes — if it gets into the eyes, HSV-1 can cause a lot of damage. Wash your hands as soon as possible. In fact, if you have a cold sore or you're around someone with a cold sore, try to wash your hands frequently.

If they aren't taken care of properly, cold sores can develop into bacterial skin infections. And they can actually be dangerous for people whose immune systems are weakened (such as infants and people who have cancer or HIV/AIDS) as well as those with eczema. For people with any of these conditions, an infection triggered by a cold sore can actually be life threatening.

How Are Cold Sores Diagnosed and Treated?

Cold sores normally go away on their own within 7 to 10 days. And although no medications can make the infection go away, prescription drugs and creams are available that can s