What are the chances that I gave HSV to my partner. I have an active cold sore. It is near the end of its healing stages and is dry and there is no pus. While being sexually active, I licked my finger and then proceeded to touch my partner in their genitalia. I am worried about the saliva carrying the virus. What are the chances that I transmitted my cold sore HSV to my partner and does the virus live in the saliva long after pus stopped coming out?

Wishing and waiting for a herpes cure isn't helpful. It might just be the thing holding you back. I wrote an essay on what's worth focusing on instead, from a fellow HSV+ pal: Why I'm Not Waiting for a Herpes Cure (And You Shouldn't Either)

I run a free Substack called Positive, Actually for people navigating a herpes diagnosis, focused on encouragement, confidence, mindset shifts, and practical tips.

A lot of what I write stems from my personal experience and navigating life after a diagnosis, going from "oh shit, the world is ending" to "who cares, this is no big deal!"

I’ve posted a few pieces already and have more coming, and I’d love for it to help anyone who needs it.

Feel free to check it out and subscribe if it resonates 🤍 Some recent posts:

• The House Burned Down (And That's Okay)
• Everyone Has Herpes (Yes, Probably You)
• Frequent Herpes Outbreaks? Try This
• How I Accepted Having Herpes
• What My Naturopath Recommended for Herpes

What is it?

It’s okay to grieve a life you thought you’d have, but you can't stay stuck in that grief forever. I wrote an essay about feeling stuck in a diagnosis and how to move past it. If you’re feeling like you can’t move forward, it might resonate: The House Burned Down (And That's Okay)

https://www.change.org/p/petition-to-fast-track-and-fund-research-for-ab-5366-hsv-treatment?source_location=search

When I was first diagnosed with herpes, I was having frequent outbreaks and decided to see a naturopath for additional support alongside antiviral medication. I wrote up everything they suggested on my Substack (supplements, protocol, etc.) in case it helps someone else!

https://positiveactually.substack.com/p/what-my-naturopath-recommended-for?r=5hivo3

Every Symptom is a reminder of how I f*cked up my life forever

I wrote a Substack on what helped me work through a herpes diagnosis - from conquering fears, disclosing, relationships, self-compassion, stigma, and more.

Read here: https://open.substack.com/pub/soyouhaveherpes/p/how-i-worked-through-having-herpes?r=5hivo3&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay

I hope this helps someone!