My questions are:
1. In addition to lubricant, what can be done to reduce outbreaks caused by friction during sex?
You could take daily antiviral medicine for the first year of your infection, if you wish.
2. Can the type / brand of condom used trigger outbreaks? My lesions are at the base of the penis where the rubber base sits and rubs against – I’m wondering if this might be an issue.
We know of no brand of condom that triggers outbreaks
3. Are there different ‘strains’ of HSV1 that could mean I am more prone to outbreaks than others? I’ve read it’s quite common that those with GHSV1 have an initial outbreak and then nothing. I’m wondering if I might have a more aggressive strain that causes more frequent outbreaks?
The first year of having HSV 1 genital infection is not representative of how this will be in year 2 and forward. Your immune system is just getting used to this – give it a little time to do better.
4. Does the fact I had an outbreak some ~12 hours after the trigger (ie friction from sex) mean it was likely that I was shedding at the time of sex or are the two events unrelated?
I’m confused – you were shedding with the outbreak. Were you shedding ahead of the outbreak? No way to know, unfortunately, but maybe, but condoms likely would have taken care of that situation
Terri