OK, this is a very common question:  How Do You Get Herpes?

There are several different kinds of herpes (including shingles and chicken pox) but this blog is primarily concerned with HSV1 and HSV2.  HSV1 typically appears on or around the mouth, while HSV2 commonly occurs in the genital area.  It is however, possible to spread either strain of the virus to the mouth or genital area.

How Do You Get Herpes?

Herpes spreads through skin to skin contact.  This can include kissing, oral sex, regular sex (whatever your definition of that is!) – anything that involves the virus being able to come in contact from one person to another.

If you have had sexual activity in the past 7 – 14 days and find yourself with blisters or sores on your genitalia or cold sores on your mouth (yes, all cold sores are HSV – don’t listen to people that say, “It’s just a cold sore, not herpes”), it is possible that you have contracted herpes.

That being said, it is possible to have contract HSV and remain symptom free for months or years.  It is also possible that any rash or sore can be any number of other skin conditions: yeast infection, impetigo, bacterial infection, canker sore; so it is important to get to a medical clinic and get tested.

If you do find yourself with an HSV infection, please don’t feel like it is the end of the world.  It is not. Myself (and thousands of others) have lived successfully with this virus for decades.   There is too much shame and misinformation about HSV, and it is important to get all the facts before becoming overly emotional about your diagnosis.

Please take some time to poke around and explore this blog for much more information about how to manage your symptoms, several ideas on herpes treatment, and of course, dating with herpes.

While there are pharmaceutical viral suppressants, and it can be OK to take these for 6 – 18 months (while you deal with any emotional issues), I would highly suggest you seek out natural remedies that will help control your outbreaks as well as boost your immune system and general health.

If you are struggling, don’t hesitate to send me an e-mail!

It’s all going to be OK!

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