Just found out today that l have herpes simplex 1, the doctor told me that all the test says is that ''l have had it at some time in my life and that my body is fighting it.'' No test can tell me when or how l got it or if it is currently active. l could've been born with it or could've picked it up a week ago. The doc also said that it is not really an std and by adulthood 90% of people will test positive for it. I am 26 and I've never had any symptoms of it ever (cold sores, blisters etc.). Should l be worried? Is this normal?
Thanks for your support andso far, after further research and from theposted l guess to say (and unfortunately so) that it is pretty much ''normal.'' It just sounds weird to say that l have ''herpes.'' But l guess my body is handling it well because I've never had an outbreak (knock on wood).

chop ure dick off

Yes it is a form of herpes. Do not kiss anyone when you have a visible cold sore on your mouth. Be careful! Eat healthy! Do not let it get the best of you.

Most people test positive for Herpes Simplex 1. Nothing to really worry about, except that it can be spread.

That is the mouth one, right? l do not think that one is considered a big deal any more, because it is like the common cold. Just keep your mouth to yourself when you get a cold sore.

Pretty Much everyone u know has Herpes 1, so there is nothing u can do about it, infact do not even worry about it.

There is nothing u can do about it. Ever seen someone with a coldsore? Maybe ur mum/aunty/uncle/friend. Guess what that means they have herpes1 too.

You can not do anything about it, the only thing u can do, is if u one day do get a cold sore, treat it.

l am 24 years old. l have HSV1. When did l get it?? who knows. Who gave it to me?? who knows. What can u do. nothing.

pretty much certain things such as stress, sickness[ when your immune system isnt as strong] and many other triggers can cause a coldsore.you really have nothing to worry about though, since as mentioned before most adults test positive for herpes simplex.its not bad.

Taken directly from: http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/skin_stuff/cold_sores.html

Maybe you've heard of a fever blister — a cold sore is the same thing. They're pretty common & lots of people get them. So what exactly r cold sores & what causes them?

What is a Cold Sore?
Cold sores, which r small & somewhat painful blisters that usually show up on or around a person is lips, r caused by the herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). But they do not just show up on the lips. They can sometimes be inside the mouth, on the face, or even inside or on the nose. These places r the most common, but sores can appear anywhere on the body, including the genital area.

Genital herpes is not typically caused by HSV-1; it is caused by another type of the herpes simplex virus called herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) & is spread by sexual contact. But even though HSV-1 typically causes sores around the mouth & HSV-2 causes genital sores, these viruses can cause sores in either place.

What Causes a Cold Sore?
HSV-1 is very common — if u have it, chances r u picked it up when u were a kid. Most people who r infected with the herpes simplex virus got it during their preschool years, most likely from close contact with someone who has it or getting kissed by an adult with the virus.

Although a person who has HSV-1 does not always have sores, the virus stays in the body & there is no permanent cure.

When someone gets infected with HSV-1, the virus makes its way through the skin & into a group of nerve cells called a ganglion (pronounced: gang-glee-in). The virus moves in here, takes a long snooze, & every now & then decides to wake up & cause a cold sore. But not everyone who gets the herpes simplex virus develops cold sores. In some people, the virus stays dormant (asleep) permanently.

What causes the virus to ''wake up'' or reactivate? The truth is, no one knows for sure. A person does not necessarily have to have a cold to get a cold sore — they can be brought on by other infections, fever, stress, sunlight, cold weather, hormone changes in menstruation or pregnancy, tooth extractions, & certain foods & drugs. In a lot of people, the cause is unpredictable.

Here is how a cold sore develops:

The herpes simplex virus-1, which has been lying dormant in the body, reactivates or ''wakes up.''
The virus travels toward the area where the cold sore decides to show up (like a person is lip) via the nerve endings.
The area below the skin is surface, where the cold sore is going to appear, starts to tingle, itch, or burn.
A red bump appears in the area about a day or so after the tingling.
The bump blisters & turns into a cold sore.
After a few days, the cold sore dries up & a yellow crust appears in its place.
The scab-like yellow crust falls off & leaves behind a pinkish area where it once was.
The redness fades away as the body heals & sends the herpes simplex virus back to ''sleep.''
How Do Cold Sores Spread?
Cold sores r really contagious. If u have a cold sore, it is very easy to infect another person with HSV-1. The virus spreads through direct contact — through skin contact or contact with oral or genital secretions (like through kissing). Although the virus is most contagious when a sore is present, it can still be passed on even if u can not see a sore. HSV-1 can also be spread by sharing a cup or eating utensils with someone who has it.

In addition, if u or ur partner gets cold sores on the mouth, the herpes simplex virus-1 can be transmitted during oral sex & cause herpes in the genital area.

Herpes simplex virus-1 also can spread if a person touches the cold sore & then touches a mucous membrane or an area of the skin with a cut on it. Mucous membranes r the moist, protective linings made of tissue that r found in certain areas of ur body like ur nose, eyes, mouth, & vagina. So it is best to not mess with a cold sore — do not pick, pinch, or squeeze it.

Actually, it is a good idea to not even touch active cold sores. If u do touch an active cold sore, do not touch other parts of ur body. Be especially careful about touching ur eyes — if it gets into the eyes, HSV-1 can cause a lot of damage. Wash ur hands as soon as possible. In fact, if u have a cold sore or you're around someone with a cold sore, try to wash ur hands frequently.

If they r not taken care of properly, cold sores can develop into bacterial skin infections. And they can actually be dangerous for people whose immune systems r weakened (such as infants & people who have cancer or HIV/AIDS) as well as those with eczema. For people with any of these conditions, an infection triggered by a cold sore can actually be life threatening.

How Are Cold Sores Diagnosed & Treated?
Cold sores normally go away on their own within 7 to 10 days. And although no medications can make the infection go away, prescription drugs & creams r available that can s

sadly to say.it is pretty normal. many people have been exposed to hsv1.easily through saliva (i.e. sharing utensil, kissing, etc.). if you think about it, this can be so easily transmitted at childhood b/c everyone kisses babies. most of the time you cant ever and will never know how you got it. just from now on, do your friends a favor and dont share drinks lol.

Listen to your dr. Most people have herpes simplex 1 in their saliva, l do not think it will ruin your life, no do not be worried.

Whether it is HSV 1 or 2 u can actually be infected either in the mouth or the genital area--the virus can infect u either place. That said, it is more common to have HSV1 in the mouth area & HSV2 in the genital area. It is good that u have no symptoms so u r not bothered by them & ur body is handling the virus well. Nonetheless, there is something called asymptomatic shedding that can cause u to spread the virus even without symptoms. That is likely how u got it in the first place, when someone else was not having symptoms but was shedding. It is nothing to worry about per se, but it is something u could pass on to someone else.

The virus is probably there but it has not yet submerged. l have type 1 as well, & it is different for everyone. l had my first & only outbreak when l was 9 years old. l am now 27 & have only had that one. My mother has one 6 times a year. So its different for everyone. From what l hear it can sit in ur system for a long long time before u have any symptoms of it. Some Dr is say it only take 2-3 week once you've been exposed to it. l think Dr. is r full of it & they r so caught up in the Rx drug business. My mother said that when she was my age she asked her Dr. for medication (like valtrex) & they laughed at her & of course refused to write the Rx. (her dermatologist originally wrote the Rx) now it is openly used today. Do not always believe ur dr. Talk to friends & discussion boards like this one to cross reference what ur dr tells you.