Please arm with some knowledge...this is all new for me??

~fitchic77

Hi Chic,

I replied to your other post. For me (female, GH for 16 years), I have itching at the start of an outbreak and this lasts until the outbreak has cleared up. For me, this symptom lasts anywhere from 3-5 days.

About one day before an outbreak, I will have sensitive skin around my inner thigh/genital/anus region.

Since you are new to GH, my advice would be to either call Planned Parenthood in your area, or your gyn/or doctor and make an appointment to just sit down and talk to someone about all of this. It can be quite overwhelming at first, I know.

As some time goes by and you get a few more outbreaks (if you do, not everyone has them with the same frequency), you will become familiar with your symptoms to know exactly what it is and how it starts.

Big hug.

Fitchic...

I have only had one outbreak since my primary outbreak in early July. Prior to my initial outbreak (which was VERY severe), I had terrible itching for about a week. When the outbreak started, it quit itching, but the pain was almost unbearable. I had another outbreak about two weeks ago. That time, there was only one blister. Again, the blister was preceded for about a week by itching. If I recall correctly, once the blister surfaced, the itching stopped. I also didn't experience pain with that one.

Serialnovelist is correct about itching being a very common prodrome (before outbreak) symptom. Most suggest that you are also contageous during the prodrome phase.

I also understand your feelings about your sexuality. My world was rocked by this, but I have a loving and supportive partner who has been there for me every step of the way.

Hang in there... educate yourself... ask lots of questions...

Before and during my primaries (I had two; I reinfected myself once) I itched and swelled like crazy, so that I thought it was a monster yeast infection. Nowadays sometimes I itch and sometimes I don't at all. Usually my itching ends when the sore appears. Remember, everyone is different.