Now that I have been diagnosed with genital herpes I was wondering if someone else who has the virus could tell me if it is true that the next outbreak shouldn't be nearly as painful or as long as this outbreak.

Most research says that the first outbreak is the most painful and longest but I would find it more reassuring from someone who actually has the virus to tell me whether this is true or if they have experienced otherwise. Thanks.

When I got my first outbreak I had a small pimple on my right lower part of my vagina. It was not as bad as I saw the horrifying pictures on other websites. It took about 2 weeks to heal. After that, when I have more outbreaks it lasts about 2 days if you catch it on time and take medication like Valtrex or whatever your doctor prescribed. Hope this helps

Yea mine wasn't as bad as the pictures but it is really painful, unfortunately i got mine in a bad spot so i think it spread a little more easily. Hopefully my future outbreaks are nothing like this one. Thanks for your input, hopefully mine are that short.

If there is one thing that can safely be said about the virus, is that it doesn't
follow a small set pattern.........sometimes an OB can be much worse than the first one if ur first OB was rather minor and if a subsequent OB was caused by a lowering of ur immune system thru stress, other illness , poor diet , triggers etc.

what is written consistently about herpes is that with time, the OBs tend to reduce in frequency and severity. How long that time period is , I dunno since I have not read of any specific time frame anywhere .

mine was definately worst first time round!!
having said that it took a while to have it diagnosed, and treated. they first thought it was trichanomis(spelling??),
i was in agony, unable to wear nderwear, pee, or move basically. subsequent OB"s have been not too bad, and i know the symptoms to watch out for, so i can get treatment started early on. i think this is the key!!

I'm currently having my first OB of HSV-1 and it's terrible. I know that I got it from my boyfriend when he performed oral sex on me. My question is has anyone tried to heal herpes with Chinese herbs and acupuncture and not used pharmaceutical drugs?

I am currently trying the herbal route and not the Valtrex, but I am miserable. It's been 6 days now. I've had the fever on and off and the swollen glands. I'm still in a lot of pain when I urinate (I found peeing in a cup or the bathtub helpful) and even move - especially walking. Today I found a painful red dot on my thigh. Urr. I'm hoping it's not spreading. How long will it be before I start feeling better?

How long do these first outbreaks usually last?

Thanks for any help.

Well if my outbreaks are in fact herpes, I'm not sure yet but what else could it be. getting little small bumps, almost like small pimples all over my chin area. Then I got little painful blister/rash on my ankle, buttock. So far no fever. I'm still praying its not herpes. I'll know after my clinic visit tomorrow.

Didn't you notice any symptoms from your boyfriend? Like sores on mouth or anything?

First outbreak is the worst, however, I've always used the meds. Which I would recommend. Otherwise, you are adding alot of misery and pain in your life which you don't need to endure. I've had it for 18 years and at the first "tingling" sensation, I start taking the pills. It lessons the timeframe, the pain, etc.
Regarding the prescription mediciations... Valtrex is extremely expensive and I don't use it anymore. I started taking the older version of it, which is generic and alot cheaper...it's called Acyclovir, plus I used the Zovirax oinment.
I've been looking into the latest natural cures...and have been coming across alot of material saying that olive leaf extract is good for herpes and other ailments. Based on what I've read, I'm going to give it a try. I'm
going to post a thread asking if anyone has tried it yet and the results.
If you're new to this...I would really recommend that you take the precriptions until you get a handle on this. You may have your convictions on not taking medications, however, herpes can be painful and long if you're going to go through the outbreaks without medication...at least thats my opinion. For me, when I start the prescription at the first sign, it's simply a minor annoyance that quickly goes away. Good luck...

It was pretty bad for me, but now after 10 months, I have nothing and I am not taking medication.