The United States has such a shitty education system so I'm sharing something that I just found out that really should be common health knowledge.

Apparently if you've ever had a cold sore, you have HSV-1, which is the herpes simplex virus. The virus stays in your body for your entire life. You can still pass it onto people when you do not have a current cold sore through things like sharing utensils, kissing, and oral sex.

67% of those under the age of 50 in global population have it.

HSV 1 is more commonly associated with cold sores on the mouth, but is also prevalent as a form of genital herpes. HSV 2 is the main herpes virus associated with genital herpes, but can also occur on the mouth (which actually seems to be less likely). HSV 2 is found in around 13% of the global population under the age of 50. If you're 51 WHO doesn't have stats for you because people past the age of 50 never have sex/s.

HSV 2 gives someone an increased risk of getting HIV. From research so far, HSV 1 doesn't seem to do that. Both can be inherently more dangerous to those with weakened immune systems.

Another main difference is that HSV 1 typically doesn't have as many flare ups and periods of viral shedding (being contagious).

There are antiviral meds that decrease the frequency of flare ups and that can make it less likely to pass on to another person, but there's nothing that completely stops it from spreading or acting up.

Its definitely information I would've liked to know earlier. Too bad all health class did was go "SEX BAD" without explaining that a majority of the population has herpes and how it can spread. Ultimately shaming people for not only having sex but taking a bite off someone else's fork.

You know how sucky I feel knowing I have genital herpes? I love reading about spontaneous sex scenes and being raw, open, threesome with no protection because *fantasy*, but knowing I can't have that? It fucking sucks. You can't be with me unprotected. You can't go down on me unprotected, (dental dams, anyone?)

I didn't want this. I never asked for it, and now I have to be okay being by myself forever. No one will willingly be with me, I wouldn't be with me. I don't want to be the butt of the joke, and we used protection, so that fucking sucks, okay?

I love reading smut and the romance side of it, but sometimes it makes me sad. Cause I won't have that and can't have that.

I've literally only slept with 2 people!! One was for 7 years and the other a one night stand! And now I'm fucking cursed

I was told by a doctor that if you have HSV 1, you can still get HSV 2. If you have HSV 2, you can not get / transmit HSV 1. So even if you're having a casual or serious relationship, it's important to know which one you have. And always use protection.

more JUICY vibes on my OF @herpes.witch 🍑

He was the one who brought up my herpes status, during sexting last night. He told me he's been with others who had it and it doesn't bother him at all. He just asked if I'm on medication (I am) and how often I have outbreaks. Then we went back to sexting. It was incredibly hot.

Hey I'm coming on here to free myself /try to love myself I have herpes one and two this STD has caused me is to hate myself and made me not want to be alive . I am still dealing with acceptance and I've gone through so much emotions because of this and I'm so scared to write this because im very afraid of judgement but I need to be mature and be real / I also have to stop caring about what others think it may take some patience but I'll be okay I have a lot of issues with this but I gotta get over it there are a lot of support and there are a lot of social media groups, and a whole herpes community that has my back.  If you don't agree /don't have anything nice to say at all kindly unfriend me please I don't need a person like that in my life and for you that are staying thank you so much I really appreciate you , I love you so much it took me awhile to post this but I'm doing it and I'm gonna try to post about it on here and other social medias By the way herpes is a very  common STD . Anyways have a good day or night whenever you are ♡

I'm having one of those nights we're I'm highly annoyed. Like dudes that be asking about my herpes.

I DO NOT HAVE the MF'ing bandwidth to educate a dude. Educate your fucking self.

Honestly Herpes is not that big of a deal. Most doctors don't even test for herpes, in less you have signs of it. Or legit request to be tested.

Also if a guy is sooooo concerned about going down on me? News flash I generally don't like having a person go down on me.

👀

😂😂😂

How did you get comfortable disclosing that you have hsv2?

every time i've told a partner they were really cool about it. i think being honest and not creating anxiety around it yourself helps the other person feel more comfortable about it. (this does not mean im not terribly nervous beforehand. it's still nerve racking)

irl, i don't disclose until i feel it's necessary (when we're discussing intercourse in reality) and that's my own choice for my own safety and comfort.

i usually give a couple facts without being overwhelming and then let them know they can ask me any questions. id also say i think waiting so you know each other a bit before telling helps because they see you, the person. it's harder to stigmatize when we zoom in.

coming out online has also helped. i've seen others interact with my hsv content or come forward with questions like this and it's nice to know we're not alone.

I would really like it if people with hsv1 were more careful about the way they talk about hsv2. They're always saying oh at least I don't have genital herpes like bitch? Stop cutting down those with the more stigmatized version. You're just adding to it 😷

Is dating a person with herpes worthwhile?

Put simply, herpes should not be seen as a major obstacle because it isn't. With proper treatment and management, genital herpes should not hinder your ability to date, meet new people, or have a reasonably typical sexual experience. Dating can present challenges when you have herpes. Discovering that you have the virus can significantly impact your self-esteem and your desire to meet new people, despite its high prevalence (approximately two-thirds of all adults have HSV-1, and 11 percent to 20 percent have HSV-2). It is crucial to maintain a positive mindset if you have recently learned that you have herpes or if you are considering dating someone with HSV-1 or HSV-2. By using the appropriate medication, engaging in open communication, and fostering understanding, it is still possible to establish and maintain normal romantic relationships.

✨💕

I made the decision last week to not pursue anymore romantic or sexual relationships for the foreseeable future so of course I get a herpes outbreak as soon as the ONE newish person I wanted to have sex with is gonna be in my house for 2 nights. The universe was like "oh word? I'll make sure you stick to your decision, SLUT."

Learning about my sexuality has left me having to relearn a lot. What is safe sex when it’s not hetero? How can I protect my partner and self? Why is there so little available information on HSV transmission between same sex partners?

Then these came across my dash today and I’m so excited to try them!

Also big hugs to anyone who knows what it’s like to have a pre sex disclosure conversation about being HSV positive. It can go a lot of ways and it’s easy to internalize the reaction of someone else or assume how they’ll react.

I wish just once I could disclose and have the other person be like “oh me too!” Or even “I’ve been through this before, I understand.” Having to educate someone on it feels very responsible but not very sexy. And it makes me a little bitter because I start to assume no one else is disclosing their status if everyone I talk about it with hasn’t had the conversation before.