CARNAL NATION

Unfortunately, herpes is a challenging one to deal with. That’s because the skin sheds the virus, which means you’re contagious, even before you know you’re having an outbreak. But there are some things you can do.

Generally, Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1) is a cold sore, while HSV-2 generally affects the genitals. But they can both infect the face and the genitals, so it’s quite possible that you have HSV-2. It’s not too clear from current medical information how common transmission from oral to genital herpes is, but it definitely happens.

And for the record, it’s estimated that about 1 in 6 people has herpes without knowing it. It’s also possible to have a herpes outbreak in the deeper parts of the vagina and not know it, so anyone who says that they definitely don’t have herpes doesn’t know what they’re talking about. The most that anyone can say is that they’ve never had an outbreak (that they’ve noticed). Fortunately, while herpes can be annoying, it’s not nearly as scary as a lot of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). And while it doesn’t go away, there are steps you can take to reduce the odds of having an outbreak.

First, take care of yourself. Herpes tends to show up when you’re stressed out or tired because your immune system is weaker. Since you’ve had so many outbreaks in a short time, perhaps you’ve made some changes recently that are making your body less able to keep things in check. Anything you can do to reverse that could help.

Second, there are anti-viral medications available. Some people take them when they have occasional outbreaks, while others who are prone to more frequent outbreaks take them on a regular basis. Some people swear by creams or gels to make the outbreaks heal faster, although many medical professionals don’t recommend them. And if your outbreaks are painful, some folks use topical anesthetics such as Dilocaine or Nervocaine.

Third, you can use a condom for oral sex. Add a little lube inside the condom to make it feel better and make sure you change the condom if you decide to move on to intercourse. Otherwise, you risk transmitting the virus from your mouth to your vagina, even if you keep it off his penis. You’ll also improve your odds (and his) a lot if you stop giving him blow jobs when you have an outbreak.

Fourth, some people try to avoid foods that contain high levels of arginine because it can increase the likelihood of an outbreak. This page has some useful information about that, although I’d suggest doing a bit more research before making a big diet change.

I hope this helps. I know that there are companies working on better treatments, but in the meantime, the best thing you can do is use condoms for oral sex and take care of yourself to minimize the odds of an outbreak.