Yes, you can live a totally normal life with this virus!
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| | | | Hello! Remember me? I'm back from vacation just in time to answer your health question of the month. So many readers have been requesting information on this topic. Most of you reading this right now probably have no clue that you already live with it. Any guesses as to what it could be? | | Today, we're talking about … herpes! This common virus is highly stigmatized and may be challenging to cope with, but rest assured it's totally manageable. Let's bust some myths, relieve potential worries, and chat about how to find relief. | | Before we do that, here are some new stories you may want to read: | | | | | π Have a question you'd like us to investigate for a future newsletter? Email us to enter for a chance to win the answer next month! | Be well,
Morgan Mandriota
Newsletter Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Morgan Mandriota
November 29, 2023 • 4 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | What to know about herpes to feel better | | π A brief intro to the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two main strains: HSV-1 and HSV-2. It can look like cold sores around your mouth, genital sores, or tiny blisters on your hands, but it shows up differently for everyone. The first outbreak is usually the most painful, but many people experience mild symptoms or never get outbreaks at all! | | π« It's incredibly common. Did you know that an estimated 67% of the global population under age 50 has HSV-1? There's so much stigma around herpes. But while outbreaks can definitely be uncomfortable, herpes often gets easier to manage –– both physically and emotionally –– as time goes on. For example, the first year tends to be the worst. But as your immune system learns to adapt to the virus, you may experience fewer and less severe outbreaks. |  | | ✨ How to manage it. Lifestyle changes might reduce outbreak frequency, like getting quality sleep, reducing stress, avoiding triggers, or taking daily medication as a form of suppressive therapy. The truth is you can't *entirely* eliminate the chance of getting an outbreak, but you can reduce the risk of transmission by learning to spot an oncoming outbreak. Symptoms like tingling, numbness, and itching may mean it's time to avoid kissing and sexual contact for a little while. | ❤️ Some friendly reminders: - Get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and (mutually!) disclose results with potential partners. This is vital for giving and receiving informed consent before things become physical.
- The herpes virus doesn't live long outside of the body, so you're unlikely to get it by sharing a towel, toilet seat, or glass.
- To learn more about herpes or process emotions around a diagnosis, consider speaking with a sex-positive therapist and reading medically accurate, educational content (*cough* like on healthline.com!).
- It's possible to avoid passing on the virus to a partner by skipping physical contact before and during an outbreak. Yes, for years — even decades!
- Herpes or not, you're still worthy of giving and receiving love.
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| | | | Knowledge is power | | | | | | |  | | Nurx At-Home STI Testing | | Don't have the time to visit the doctor for an STI screening? Test yourself with an at-home kit from Nurx! It's easy, confidential, and won't cost you an arm and a leg. All you have to do is pick which tests you want, pay out of pocket or through insurance, and you'll get your results in about a week. If you happen to test positive, Nurx's medical team will reach out to discuss next steps, possible treatment options, or connect you with in-person care. | | | Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | What we're reading next |
| π Symptoms of high blood sugar in people without diabetes. How high is too high? And what can you do to decrease your levels? | | ☀️ Best foods to eat in the morning. Rise and shine with these yummy, healthy breakfast options. | | π Top 10 supplements for healthy aging. This list covers options to support bone health, menopause, brain function, muscle mass, and more. | | π§ Sign up for our Brain Health newsletter with one click! It'll increase your IQ. Just kidding, but you will get weekly stories about vitamins, brain games, Alzheimer's, dementia, and beyond. | | | | | | |
| | | | Thanks for reading! Our team was excited to cover this topic today. Managing sexual health is an essential part of overall well-being, and we're happy to be able to answer your questions about it. I can't wait to see which topic we cover next month. Until then, see you on Friday.
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