Fear of herpes everywhere

I already have the herpes virus, HSV-1 in my body. I have had it since 2020. So I obviously have the antibodies in my bloodstream. Even though I ALREADY have the virus, I am still so afraid of getting herpes all over my hands, and that it is everywhere in everything that I touch. It sucks because it consumes me non stop all day 24/7 and my parents say I have nothing to worry about because I already have the virus but I still worry. I have the virus downstairs. So nothing orally. But I still can’t even brush my own teeth without gloves because I fear what if I do have it orally and I’m just not showing symptoms. My main fear is getting it in my hands. Can anyone relate to this or does anyone have anything to chime in

Contamination OCD

Username: ZeldaKorr32ZeldaKorr32

Date posted: 41w ago

hey, it sounds like you're going through a really tough time with your worries about hsv-1. it's hard when your mind gets caught in those loops, even when you know logically you're already dealing with the virus. 😔 i'm dealing with a different ocd theme, so i might not fully get what you're going through, but i totally understand how consuming those thoughts can be. i've found some apps pretty helpful for managing my ocd stuff. one that my local ocd support group recommended is "unstuck ocd therapy tools." it's pretty neat because it gives you ai-personalized guidance and exercises right when you need them. it feels like it's tailored just for what you're going through in the moment. there's also this app called "gg ocd," which is more about learning the basics of cbt for ocd through small modules. it's not as personalized and doesn't help in-the-moment like unstuck does, but it's good for getting a grip on cbt concepts. might be worth checking out. 🌟

Username: helpneededhelpneeded

Date posted: 41w ago

@ZeldaKorr32 It is hard because I know I have it already but still so convinced I can still somehow get it on my hands even after seeing an infectious disease doctor who told me no that it is not going to happen to me since I have that type already. But I still worry clearly. I will most definitely check out those two recommendations you gave me. I appreciate your feedback 🙏🏼

Username: ZeldaKorr32ZeldaKorr32

Date posted: 40w ago

@helpneeded - you're welcome!! please do take care of yourself and your health!

Username: jo0200jo0200

Date posted: 39w ago

I had the same fear when I had a sudden onset of OCD last year. But before that it never bothered me that much, and I’ve had it for years and years, 8 years to be exact. Autoinoculation almost only occurs during the first outbreak because you haven’t had antibodies built up, after 3 months, the chances are so extremely low it’s basically impossible. That’s what I’ve learnt from many many many sources. The best we can do is to follow the scientific sources and continue leading a normal life because you’re not a walking leaper and you don’t have to suffer more because of this very very common diagnosis ❤️

Username: helpneededhelpneeded

Date posted: 37w ago

@jo0200 I appreciate your feedback 🩵

Username: helpneededhelpneeded

Date posted: 37w ago

@jo0200 How did you overcome the fear of auto-inoculation? What helped you?

Username: genericusername

Date posted: 5y ago

After being sexually assaulted I developed a fear of sex and as a protection my OCD became obsessed with STDs and I’ve been tested a million times for everything they will test me for (they strongly recommended against testing me for herpes because everyone has it in some form and if you’re not showing symptoms and using protection it is near impossible to pass on so it doesn’t matter until you want to settle down and there is a big stigma) I’ve always come back clean, even for the random shit I googled like mycoplasma that I begged to be to be tested for. I still freak out. And now since I am starting to believe I am ok I don’t want to have sex with someone else Incase they infect me (even though if we use condoms and they get the routine test for HIV, Hep, Syphillis, Gonnorhea , and Chlymidia) the odds are slim. What do I do!!! And I agonize over whether I should disclose I have HPV even though my gyno says no because everyone has it (literally the CDC says that) and it goes away on its own almost always and dude to the lack of education it would do more harm than good. I think I am just finding reasons to avoid intimacy at this point and my OCD is making me intensely fearful about my sexual health in a very painful way to distract me, and I can’t deal. I’d rather just confront my issues.

Username: Anonymous

Date posted: 5y ago

I'm absolutely terrified now of genital herpes. I've slept with one person and I am in a relathionship with him for 10 years and somehow I still am horribly afraid I might have genital herpes. I've been very weak today because of the level of my anxiety and of course I had to be stupid and google it, so I found out it can be asymptomatic, and now I'm paralyzed with fear. Also I feel "itchy" down there...great...just great. I just need to accept I'll never feel peace in this life again.

Username: electrolove

Date posted: 5y ago

So I’ve been doing so well lately. One of my biggest OCD themes besides harm is related to health and particularly STD’s within that. I’ve always had a fear of the STD’s that are incurable...particularly herpes though it’s effect on someone’s life is minimal. I’ve been sexually active recently (always with protection) and have noticed a spot on my penis. It very well could be acne or dermatitis of some kind but my OCD has already convinced me that it’s herpes and that I need to immediately get tested (which both my therapist and primary doctor have said would be feeding into the OCD unless it’s blatantly obvious that I need medical attention.) So I’m not sure what to do, any ideas how to cope with this anxiety, has anyone else had this form of OCD? Thank you in advance....

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Fear of herpes everywhere

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