Herpes, Questions Answered

[Marblez]

These are the questions that I have been asked. I will answer any questions here and will link you to the answers (where appropriate) on a reliable informational site.

Doesn't everyone [have herpes]?

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"Results of a nationally representative study show that genital herpes infection is common in the United States. Nationwide, at least 45 million people ages 12 and older, or one out of five adolescents and adults, have had genital HSV infection....

Genital HSV-2 infection is more common in women (approximately one out of four women) than in men (almost one out of five). This may be due to male-to-female transmissions being more likely than female-to-male transmission. " Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

how long have you had herpes?

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I have no idea how long I have had it but my first outbreak happened around April 2004.

A person may show symptoms within days after contracting genital herpes, or it may take weeks, months, or years. For this reason, it can be difficult for people to know when and from whom they may have contracted the virus. American Social Health Association

Up to 90% of people with genital herpes have not been diagnosed and are unaware of their condition. Many of these people have symptoms they don't recognize or that they confuse with something else. Others may not have genital herpes symptoms at all, but can still spread the disease. valtrex.com

Is there some reason that I should change the way I behave toward you, because you have herpes?

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No, I would hope not. I don't plan to sleep with you anytime soon - so I think you are safe. Now, should that plan change, I will be sure to let you know

-can it be treated?

-can it be cured?

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There is no treatment that can cure herpes, but antiviral medications can shorten and prevent outbreaks during the period of time the person takes the medication. In addition, daily suppressive therapy for symptomatic herpes can reduce transmission to partners. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

I have been on daily suppressive therapy and have had only 2-3 very minor outbreaks since the first one. A higher dosage of the same medication has cleared those almost immediately.

I will end this post with this interesting quote from Herpes.com

We don't want to be old, so we pretend not to get old; we don't want to be herpes, so we pretend not to have it, or have to deal with it. About all of this, though, Mark Twain had a sober reminder: "No one," he wrote, "gets out of this world alive." - Richard P. Keeling MD

[Brenda Starrr]

Despit the fact that a family member of mine has Herpes, there's a lot that I didn't even know.

Thank you, Tina. I appreciate this.

[Marblez]

Some duplication but extra information in this answer.

I wasn't going to ask questions, but I changed my mind. If you don't want to answer them that's ok, I understand.

How long have you had it for?

How did you find out? What were the symptoms?

I found out a while ago. I was 1.5 years into a 2 year monogamous relationship. At first I thought I had cut myself with a razor. Then things weren't feeling right inside. I thought yeast infection. Eventually, I went to the Dr. because it was more and more sensitive and BAM - there it was. That outbreak was the worst, itching, burning, swelling. A few days on meds and it was over. I have had only like 2 outbreaks since then. I have been using famvir and have never had an outbreak when I take them daily. It is quite controlled. Odds of transmitting are very low if well controlled.

By the way, Herpes is NOT NOT NOT tested for when getting tested for other STDs. The only way to test for it, unless you are actively in an outbreak is by a blood test. Some people never have an outbreak but still can transmit it to other people just the same.

Please do ask more questions as they come to you.

[Marblez]

Despit the fact that a family member of mine has Herpes, there's a lot that I didn't even know.

Thank you, Tina. I appreciate this.

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Glad to be able to get the information out!

[Marblez]

Did you and ________ sleep together? I'm just trying to figure out if I'm at risk, we know alot of the same people.

Unfortunately, it is best to assume yes on this one. It wasn't true in this particular case but social groups of any kind have incestuous tendencies. I slept with X who slept with Y who slept with U.

Don't take people's word for it or assume that they would tell you if they have it. THey might not know or are too afraid/weak or uneducated about the subject.

I regret not having told everyone, I was improperly educated, weak, and didn't feel that it was necessary if I was having no symptoms and if we used protection. No one has told me that I have given it to them (thank the lord) and no one has told me that they had it before I got with them...and I KNOW I got it somewhere.

[Marblez]

"Is a cold sore really "THAT" herpes? and also, is a "Cold-Sore" transimitable to the genitals? Perhaps I have a misunderstanding about cold sores? (little tingly sore that stays on corner of mouth or an open pimple inside the nostril for like 3-4 weeks)

Yes.

"either type can reside in either or both parts of the body and infect oral and/or genital areas. Unfortunately, many people aren't aware of this, which contributes both to the spread of type 1 and to the misperception that the two types are fundamentally different.

"People don't understand that you can have type 1 genitally or orally, that the two types are essentially the same virus,' says Marshall Clover, manager of the National Herpes Hotline." One type is associated with stigma, the other is "'just a cold sore"- our society has a euphemism for it so we don't even have to acknowledge that it's herpes.'' www.herpes.com

[kellygrrrrrl]

The information is much appreciated.

I had no idea that cold sores could be spread to the lower regions.

I've gotten them periodically throughout my whole life, and was always told that it is contageous, and not to kiss anyone when having one...but I had no idea it was Herpes herpes....and could be spread down there.

Fortunately, I have not had anyone come back and say HEY...I have this, I think you might too...or did I get it from you?.....

I have been cold sore free for over a year now!

[Marblez]

This is the reason that it is so important that people tell their stories - it makes it personal. There is no lack in publicly available information, it is out there. No one realizes how important it is unless it hits close to home. The virus just keeps getting spread more and more because people don't know or are too ashamed to tell.

[dragoth]

Question: So how long did it take from going 'like a razor cut' feeling to full outbreak?

[Marblez]

Question: So how long did it take from going 'like a razor cut' feeling to full outbreak?

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Within just a day or 2, I think. Not too long.