HSV-1: It's Not Just a Cold Sore

"So, you have HSV-1," the doctor said. I sat there, stunned. I had never heard of it before. "What is that?" I asked.
HSV-1 is a common virus that most people get in childhood. It usually causes cold sores, but it can also cause other symptoms, including:

Blisters on the mouth, genitals, or other parts of the body
Fever
Headache
Muscle aches
Swollen lymph nodes

Most people who have HSV-1 don't have any symptoms. But some people have outbreaks of cold sores every few months or years. There is no cure for HSV-1, but there are treatments that can help to reduce the symptoms.
I was shocked to learn that I had HSV-1. I had never had any symptoms, so I didn't think I had it. But the doctor explained that most people who have HSV-1 don't have any symptoms.
I was also worried about the stigma associated with HSV-1. I had heard people say that it was a "dirty" disease, and I didn't want people to think that about me. But the doctor assured me that HSV-1 is not a dirty disease. It's just a common virus that most people have.
I'm still learning about HSV-1, but I'm glad that I know what it is. I'm also glad that there are treatments available to help me manage the symptoms. I'm not going to let HSV-1 control my life. I'm going to live my life to the fullest, and I'm going to make sure that HSV-1 doesn't get in the way.