Herpes FAQ



Herpes Questions

What is Herpes?

Herpes is known as the Herpes Simplex Virus or HSV1 or HSV2. HSV1 is most commonly associated with oral herpes and HSV2 is most common in the genital region. Because herpes is a virus it means you will have herpes for the rest of your life. In other words, at this point, there is no cure for herpes. Sorry! When the virus is not active it will lie dormant along your nervous system until it wakes up and decides to rise to the surface of your skin and cause an outbreak. Think of it like a volcano, some are active some are dormant and some you just really don't know when they are going to explode. To read more go here

How do I know if I have herpes?

There are a couple of ways to know if you are herpes positive. Firstly, if you have sores on your mouth or in your genital region then I recommend you go get tested immediately. To get diagnosed now go to HerpAlert and use our promo code: lifewithherpes to get 10% off.  

If I’m exposed to herpes how long before it shows up?

Typically when you are exposed to herpes the virus shows up within 2-14 days. Yes, it’s possible for the incubation period to be much longer but typically its with in the first 2 weeks. So if you have a new partner then most likely it's from them.

Can I be herpes positive without having an outbreak?

Yes and no. In order to have herpes show up in your blood test you would have had to come in contact with the herpes virus and be infected. Sometimes people can have really mild outbreaks (I’m so jealous if that’s you) and they can go unnoticed or be mistaken for other things such as ingrown hairs, pimples or a cut from shaving. So it can be a total surprise when test results come back and the results are positive for herpes.

What are the signs of genital herpes?

Symptoms can vary from person to person but here are the most common in your genital region are; itchiness, tingling, hot spot, pain when touching, sore, and or open lesion. You can also experience flu like symptoms such as; sore throat, aches and pains, swollen lymph nodes, extreme fatigue and feeling of being run down. For more details you can go here

What are the signs of oral herpes?

Symptoms can vary but most commonly people experience pain on the lips and around the mouth, itching, blisters, flu like symptoms, fever, aches and pains, swollen lymph nodes. Go here for more. 

What is the difference between oral and genital herpes?

There are two types of herpes, Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV 1) and Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV 2). HSV 1 is typically considered oral herpes and HSV 2 is normally considered genital herpes however they are interchangeable. Meaning you can have HSV 1 genitally and HSV 2 orally. To learn more on HSV 1 genitally go here

Is a cold sore herpes?

Yes, it's herpes. Typically oral herpes is HSV 1. And remember that it's just as contagious as genital herpes. 

What sexual ways can herpes be transmitted?

All types of sex. This includes; vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex and any other type of sex that you can come up with.  To read more go here.  And to learn more about sex toys go here

Is it possible to have both HSV 1 and HSV 2?

Unfortunately it’s possible. It can be a combination of any location. Meaning you can have HSV 1 and HSV 2 both genitally or both orally. Or HSV 1 which is typically oral in your genital region or HSV 2 which is typically genital on your mouth.

If I have oral herpes can I get an outbreak genitally?

No, the only way you can get genital herpes is if you expose your genital region to the virus. Just because you have the herpes virus in your system it won’t pop up in other places. So if you have oral herpes you will continue to get oral outbreaks. If you have genital herpes you will continue to get genital outbreaks.

How is herpes transmitted?

The herpes virus is transmitted skin to skin. When there is an outbreak the virus is most contagious as the open lesions contain fluid that can make it very easy to transmit the virus. However, the virus can also be transmitted without symptoms (I know this is a buzz kill) and this would be considered asymptomatic shedding. During the shedding process the virus rises to the skin without any signs or symptoms and can spread to a non infected person if they come in contact with it. Click here for more information on viral shedding. 

How common is herpes?

Herpes is very common and it’s virtually impossible for anybody to go through life without coming into contact with it. 2 out of 3 people have HSV 1 and 1 out of 6 have HSV2. So statistically this means if you have kissed more than 3 people 2 of them have had oral herpes. And if you have had sex with more than 6 people 1 of them has had genital herpes. There are also more than 100 different types of herpes viruses out there. To learn more about the different herpes viruses go here. And to learn more about who has herpesgo here

How do I get tested for herpes?

To get tested for herpes you would need to go to your medical provider and ask for a herpes test. In the United States a herpes test is not included in the STD test, a herpes test needs to specifically be requested. We recommend using HerpAlert for your herpes diagnosis. Use the promo code: lifewithherpes to receive 10% off. Go here to get treated.

Can I have a baby even though I have herpes?

Yes, of course you can. Having herpes does not impact your fertility or a woman's ability to conceive. You can go here, here & here to read more about pregnancy and fertility. Something key to remember that if you do become pregnant you'll want to discuss having genital herpes with your doctor. 

What's the best way to prevent transmission to my partner?

There are 4 best practice way's to prevent transmission to your partner; communicate, use latex protection, the daily antiviral and avoiding sex while you have an outbreak. To read more go here

Want to know how to tell your partner?

Then download the Tell Your Partner Toolkit

This toolkit will give you the knowledge, confidence and exactly what to say to your partner. It doesn't matter if it's something casual, if you want more or if you're already in a relationship. You'll get immediate access to 14 videos, scripts you can download and all the information you'll need so you can disclose to your partner. 


Tell Your Partner

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Want more herpes information?

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Then Download the Herpes Outbreak Toolkit

This toolkit will point you in the right direction, back towards confidence, peace, comfort, and pain-free herpes outbreak living. It doesn’t matter if it's your first outbreak or if you’ve had herpes for years this toolkit is essential and will walk you through step-by-step. If it’s your first outbreak then these first days are so emotional and the best thing you can do is educate yourself on your herpes diagnosis. This Herpes Outbreak Toolkit is 7 days of hand holding that includes, daily videos, easy steps to managing your outbreak, ways to manage relief from pain and not to mention the embarrassment.

Get Your Toolkit

Need Extra Support?

Then Join Our Secret Society

Being alone with a herpes diagnosis is the worst place to be. You feel alone, you feel dirty, you feel like you’ve done something wrong and worst of all you feel like your life is over. I was alone for a number of years and it took me 2 years of working through my diagnosis to get out from under that dark “herpes” cloud. I truly wish I had a community of people who just “got me”.

When there is a community the struggle to survive with herpes is no longer impossible. In the Secret Society there’s 24/7 support from people all over the world who are going through the same thing as you. We all have herpes and we all understand where you are on your journey with herpes.

Join Now

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Want to Talk To Alexandra?

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Then Schedule an Emergency Coaching Call 

There are times with a herpes diagnosis that freak out mode or meltdown mode happens and that is why you can schedule a call with me ASAP.

Sitting in your own worry or trying to google the answers to your herpes questions is not the best idea. Talking to someone who’s been through it, lives it and totally gets what you’re going through will take you from crisis mode to feeling in control and living life with herpes.

Book Your Emergency Call

General Community Questions

I need technical support where do I go?

Submit a ticket and we'll get right to you. Go here

I want to cancel or change my Secret Society Subscription

Want More Information on Herpes?

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