Im having my first outbreak which is 4 little bumps !

but how do u know when ya fully better? i feel like there getting abit better coz when i goto toilet it isnt burning as much. I got a discharge though. How do i know when i am okay and able to have sex again? my fella doesnt have it but i want unprotected sex with him but only when i am 100% better. but how will i know?

hope someone can help me because i am really desperate to know how and all answers will be appreciated!

thank you.

P.S Im taking 200mg Aciclovir for 5 days. 1 tablet every 4 hours!:(

hello i have had herpes for awhile now... From my understanding you can pass herpes on to your partner even when you arent showin symptoms... so my best advice is to either wear protection or dont have sex lol..cause you dont want someone else havin it do ya???

not tryin 2 sound mean but thats how it works;)

course i dont want him to have it!

Hi there -

YOu asked when you would know if you are fully healed. My symptoms are different than yours - I got blistered lesions - so I may not be the best person to answer you. I'm sure if I'm incorrect someone else will write in.

As this is your first OB, I would certainly wait until your meds are done, just to give your body a chance to adapt. I would also, for any OB, wait until all bumps/lesions are completely healed and have disappeared. As well, any tingling, itchiness, discharge etc. should have disappeared before you have sex - protected or otherwise.

As for unprotected sex - You don't mention if you contracted the virus from your partner or from a different source. Nor do you mention if he is aware of the situation. If you contracted GH from him, and he has GH (the same strain), then unprotected sex is OK. There is no danger of passing it to each other as you both have the same thing. If he has a different strain or does not have the virus, you need to be aware that unprotected sex, even when you aren't suffering from an OB, will possibly cause the virus to be contracted by your BF due to the shedding process. (Even protected sex isn't 100% safe) If your BF doesn't have the virus, or has a different strain, make sure that you tell him about your personal situation before you have unprotected sex - that is a choice you need to make together as he will be exposed to it.

Hope this answers your question.

Thank you for your reply! I think i contracted the virus from myself or by a one night stand. Yeah my partner is aware of the situation and he is going to get tested. He is also standing by me whatever happens which i think is good. I have not been with my new partner for long. So, how do you cope with your virus? any useful tips or anything

YOu asked when you would know if you are fully healed. My symptoms are different than yours - I got blistered lesions - so I may not be the best person to answer you. I'm sure if I'm incorrect someone else will write in.

As this is your first OB, I would certainly wait until your meds are done, just to give your body a chance to adapt. I would also, for any OB, wait until all bumps/lesions are completely healed and have disappeared. As well, any tingling, itchiness, discharge etc. should have disappeared before you have sex - protected or otherwise.

As for unprotected sex - You don't mention if you contracted the virus from your partner or from a different source. Nor do you mention if he is aware of the situation. If you contracted GH from him, and he has GH (the same strain), then unprotected sex is OK. There is no danger of passing it to each other as you both have the same thing. If he has a different strain or does not have the virus, you need to be aware that unprotected sex, even when you aren't suffering from an OB, will possibly cause the virus to be contracted by your BF due to the shedding process. (Even protected sex isn't 100% safe) If your BF doesn't have the virus, or has a different strain, make sure that you tell him about your personal situation before you have unprotected sex - that is a choice you need to make together as he will be exposed to it.

Hope this answers your question.[/QUOTE]

How do I cope?? I guess I'm lucky. I only had my first OB a month ago, and nothing since then. I'm thinking positive, and don't plan on having multiple OB's like many people on this site!! :-) Guess we'll see.

The first couple weeks were hard - my partner was out of town, but he supports me fully even over the phone. Being in a better position than I am, he also offered to pay for all meds, and, although he has never shown a symptom, has taken full responsibility for this. Not that it matters who gave it to whom.

Having the support is really all I need. I spent two weeks being emotional, and now I've moved on. I don't really cope, because in my opinion, I have nothing to cope with. It's like a cold - when it rears it's ugly head you blow your nose, and the rest of the time I ignore it. Of course, that opinion is only valid for those in a monogomous relationship...

Good luck

I’m being snoopy here Catharine and slightly off topic from original post but... Is your current monogamous relationship where you contracted herpes in the first place?

Here I go assuming again but that’s what I’m assuming beings you say he takes full responsibility and is willing to pay for any and all medications.


Also I would like to APPLAUD you on your comparison of HERPES with the COMON COLD!! I couldn’t agree more. When it rears its ugly head then you blow your nose..

Its almost been a year since I was given the positive news via a culture and I’ve had only one other outbreak since (which was extremely mild). I do not take any suppressive medication. I eat well like I always have and apparently have one heck of an immune system. KNOCK ON WOOD!!!



I’m sorta dragging my toes in the river of denial. I’m almost to the point of getting a blood test done to confirm what already was confirmed. Then sanity comes to mind and I realize that yes indeed there was trouble down below which brought me to the doctors office and the culture did come back positive. SO YES I do HAVE HERPES!!

Snoop away!! Ah the power of anonymity!!

Yes. I've been in this relationship almost 2 years. About a month ago, something just "wasn't right" down below.

This relationship is my first after a 10 year marriage to a man who was a virgin when we met. Pretty certain I didn't get it from him!! Once this whole situation evolved, I asked my current partner. He's never shown a symptom, but turns out his ex-wife had cold sores pretty bad, although not for several years (they were never told it was herpres). Thus, the assumption is that she gave to him, he is a "carrier", and he gave to me.

Of course, the other possibility, which is back to the original question, is that my current partner is not positive. (He will be getting tested, but hasn't been to see the Dr. yet...) I may have been carrying the virus from a relationship I had before I was married. It's unlikely considering the circumstances, but it is possible. We'll never be entirely sure where it came from. Missme, this is the type of situation that might be applicable to you.

I'm very lucky. He just assumes it's him (either from his ex-wife or his otherwise "checkered" past :-) ) and has stepped up to take responsibility. As a single mom, I could never have afforded the $200 for Valtrex, but he was right there for me. I've got a keeper!!

So, Missme, like I said. If you turn out positive now - you will never be entirely certain who gave it to whom. I hope once you explain these facts to your man, the accusations stop, and the support starts!!

Cheers!

Thanks Catharine,

The anonymitty is fun aye?

Keep us posted please on when Mr. Keeper gets his test.

I think it helps when we all atempt at putting these puzzle pieces together.

Have a good one

CaGirl and Catharin,

Since neither of you have found out which type of HSV you have, you should both get a blood test that shows the specific type. Catharine, I believe you'll find that you likely have HSV type 1 genitally, as you likely got it from your current partner who got it from his ex-wife who had cold sores and yes cold sores is oral herpes.

It's likely you both probably have type 1 genitally since both of you have only had one outbreak in a year. It's typical for people with HSV-1 genitally to only have on average 1 OB per year. It has nothing to do with how healthy your immune systems are either. It has to do with the nature of HSV-1 and it's preference for living above the waist and inability to thrive below the waist.

I hate to hear when people brag about their immune systems being so strong to overcome this virus and that's why they have so few OBs. I am a very healthy person who looks after herself physically and mentally very well. I just happen to have HSV-2 genitally. I wish people on here would document better which type of HSV they have because the two types behave differently above and below the waists. Comparing what works to treat someone with HSV-1 doesn't work usually in comparing to someone with HSV-2.

I have read that this virus has TWO tactics of overcoming the immune system's natural response mechanisms, so that even though your immune system may be working fine, the virus is very sneaky. One of the ways is that once the virus infects a cell, the cell under normal circumstances sends out a distress call to other cells to warn them of the invader on the loose so that they then put up their cell barriers. But this virus has developed a way of stifling the cell's ability to send out that distress signal. Hence, it can go from one cell to the next invading them and catching them all by surprise.

So let's be careful please and refrain from comparing how healthy and strong our immune systems are and ascribing that to the reason one may have fewer OBs than another. And until you have a cold every single day of your life, I don't think you'd still be writing this virus off in comparison to a simple cold!

Hey again Oceanus -

I really don't know how my immune system will deal with this long term. I've only had this nasty little virus for about a month, so it's still too early to tell. If anything, I suspect my immune system is a bit depressed (need to eat more veggies, and I have psoraisis as well). My comment was more a hope and dream that I don't suffer from the OB's like so many people here do. Hence my comparison to a cold - sorry if that came off as insulting. Totally unintentional. CaGirl asked how I coped, and that's just how I'm dealing with it for now, since I don't have the constant OB's.

I think you are likely correct. I probably do have HSV-1 genitally due to my partner's ex having cold sores. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any way I can find out for sure. I asked my doctor for a type-specific test, and it seems as though, in Canada, this isn't available. He was not aware of any lab that would do this type of test, and had never heard of the HerpesSelect test I've read recommended on this site. Sucks. Maybe if I can afford it someday I'll travel across the border just for a test - I'm only about 2 hours away!! :-) I did post a couple weeks ago asking if any Canucks knew of a Type Specific test done in Canada with no response. If anyone reading this knows, please let me know so I can educate my Dr.!! I'd really love to know what type I have, even though my Dr. thinks it's not important!! If I knew of a specific test here, I'd push him for it, even if he thinks it's useless information!!

I've read a lot of your posts, Oceanus. From what I can tell, you do everything possible to keep your immune system happy and strong. But your OB's still seem to be pretty severe. Especially since I'm so new to this, I'm not likely to say that my good or bad immune system is the reason for how my body reacts. From everything I've read, it's a combination of your immune system, phsycological factors, and just plain old stubborness of the virus. Everyone's body reacts differently - I'm just hoping for the best for now!!

Cheers!

Oceanus,

I do know what kind I have.. I have hsv2 genitally.

Guess I'm just a lucky dog.

Who knows, it could all change in the blink of an eye too!

Catharine,

It is a very good idea for any future relationships to know which type you have, and your partner should be tested, too. I've read type 2 genitally protects you from getting type 1 genitally, but the reverse is not true. Supposedly I might also be protected from ever getting type 1 since I have type 2. You might try contacting some labs in your area that might be able to tell you if they have a type specific blood test you can come in and get. The one I went through to get all my 3 blood tests through was Lab Qwest (it could be LabQwest). Lab Corps (or is it Lab Corp) is another lab here in the USA that tests for various things. I'm sure Canada must use the same testing techniques even though your healthcare is free, it's not that bad, lol! If only we had free healthcare that might stem the epidemic of herpes and other contractible diseases because more people could easily get tested.

I'm sorry I got so offended and upset. It's just that I'm going through a very bad OB right now that is very painful and it sucks up so much of my life and makes me so unhappy. I enjoy being physically active, but I just stay in and stay to myself so much nowadays because of this problem. I thought my OBs would be a lot better after two years and sometimes they are, but right now it feels like I just got H all over again for the first time!

The only hope I have is that the newest therapy I'm using is actually working and so my body is cleansing itself of this virus by having this huge continual OB. I'm taking colloidal silver everyday and this OB started shortly after I started doing it almost two weeks ago. I've also been applying zinc gluconate to the sores which hurts like a mother *&%@#!!! But the sores do seem to heal faster due to the zinc. It just hurts during and after I remove the zinc application. I have been taking some immune support supplements (Ambrotose) that I think helped because I was hardly getting any sores, but the tingling and itchiness was still there everyday and that's simply not good enough for me. Plus, it's very expensive. I also take a multivitamin, olive leaf extract, Melissa balm in a pill, get plenty of sleep, exercise as much as I can considering.

I've resorted to ordering food grade hydrogen peroxide online. I've been reading some posts on here from "anotherplanet" and "nonexist" members about how it helped them. If you want to look those old posts up just put their names in the search box on the top of this screen. If I don't see major improvement from the treatment I'm now using I plan on doing what Nonexist said worked for him.

This virus is so tricky. One minute your OBs seem a lot better and you think you've found what's been helping, then the OBs get worse again. It's very aggravating to say the least. I wonder if my OBs are so bad and consistent because I've never had chicken pox and I've never had HSV-1 (I know this because blood test was negative for HSV-1) and these viruses are related. So maybe my body just has never seen anything like it before! UGH!

Hi Oceanus -

Yeah, I read your posts about the colloidal silver. I must say, myself personally I don't really go the holistic route, I believe in Rx drugs!! (I've did a 10 day series of Valtrex, but doctor says no reason to think I need more right now) - but all the power to you for being so persistent with it!! I've read so many of your posts about different things...

It sounds from several posts that the silver treatment just went nuts with your OB's - I hope for your sake that your body "purges" soon, and you can start more beneficial cycle.

Health care - well, it's good to a point!! I may not have to pay to see my doctor, nor do I have to wait forwever just to get an appt with a general doc. But we do still have to pay for drugs etc. etc. I'm not sure that having government healthcare improves or controls the spread of disease - herpes is still a totally taboo subject here!! But that's an arguement for someone else (like my political appointee!!)

It seems so stupid that I can't get a specific test. You are right - Canada and US have the same drugs, procedures etc. It's not so different!! I've thought about calling around to different labs. Unfortunately, it's kind of difficult to call a lab from my desk at work and say "Hey, do you have a type specific test for herpes!!" lol I'm working on it. I do want to know what type I have. Specifically, if my partner doesn't have, or has a different type, then I need to have a talk with my ex so that he gets tested and doesn't potentially go spreading it around. Thank God we're still on good terms!! (One of the only "good" separations I know!!)

Since you seem so hip on the holistic remedies, I've a specific question for you (and anyone else reading this who might have some input). Although my OB was a month ago, and everything is healed up for several weeks, I have one "lesion" left that just won't heal. It never blistered or anything - it's just a reddish, raised spot. Doctor looked at it, and confirmed it "looked herpetic". But it just won't go away. I see all these suggestions for long term holistic remedies - what about something to heal up a one-time sore like this?? Any input?? Is this something your Zinc Gluconate would help with??

Cheers!

Catharine,

I just wanted to get back to you about your question regarding the last red bump, I guess it sounds like, you have. If it's not popping open what I have done is sterilized a sewing pin and popped open a bump that I had that didn't want to go away. Once it was open I would apply some kind of ointment to help heal it. The latest painful, but helpful one I've used is the zinc gluconate. I get it as a hard pill and soak a couple in a tiny bit of hot water until it dissolves and becomes a paste. I then apply it for a good 20 minutes to the open sore. I just bought some 99% aloe vera gelly and applied that after I removed the zinc. Aloe is very good at healing skin ailments like sunburns, cuts, burns, etc. I've found it feels nice and soothing too on the skin after the zinc burned and irritated it. Or if you don't want to go out and buy zinc gluconate pills you could just pour hydrogen peroxide onto the open sore. That helps heal cuts, too. It's always good to have some aloe vera jell around, too.

Hey Oceanus -

Thanks. Strange thing is - I don't think this sore WANTS to be popped open or needs to be. It's more just a small area of rash - there is no place to pop it!!

I keep aloe around as well, and will try that. I've also been considering slapping some pure vitamin E on it - I use the oil from capsules sometimes for other skin stuff. I think the zinc might be a bit extreme for this one - maybe I'll try that if I get another OB!! The thought of peroxide in this particular location also just makes me shudder!! :-)

Thanks for the info - hope the silver is going well...

Hi, I haven't read all your replys so I may be repeating what other people have already said. I have been told symptons usually last a week to ten days. Don't have unprotected sex untill there is no irritation and the skin is healed, maybe wait a couple of extra days or a week after the skin is healed to be on the safe side. x

Catharine, you need to get another gynocologist. Any doctor whose diagnosis is that a sore that won't heal "looks" anything needs to reup his medical training. It needs to be lanced and tested. It could be herpes and then again it could be a carcinoma and time is of the essence in that case. Get a second opinion. And having HSV2 does NOT protect you from contracting HSV1. The antibodies are similar but different. Both viruses shed even when there is no outbreak. And both types can erupt both in the mouth and the genitals. I have HSV2 and had a surprise outbreak inside my mouth when I initially contracted the virus in my genital region. And a person who has HSV1 and has oral sex can give it to the partner in the genital region.

Oceana -

I'll start by defending my Dr. When he saw the lesion/sore it was less than 10 days old, so he had no reason to think it wouldn't heal. And it DOES "look herpetic". I'll be getting all my test results back next week (did a full STD panel) and I will be mentioning it to him then. That said, I do believe that by now I know more about this virus than he does!! :)

About your comments regarding transfer. Although all your statements are true, none of them are addressing a question I asked. I think you may be referring to my other post regarding transfer, but the question was a little different. Just to keep the threads neat and tidy, I'll refer any interested people to that thread - It's called "Same strain transfer to same person" or something like that!!

Thanks

Oceana maybe you need to read the herpes handbook by Terri Warren, too, before you act so certain about what you say. I will quote the handbook, "...a person who has HSV 1 genitally can still acquire HSV 2 genitally (the reverse almost never happens)."

I will get a copy and read it, but with all due respect to Warren, she isn't a doctor. I usually put more stock in scientific research papers where several specialists are collaborating.

Oceana - If letters matter to you, Terri is noted on the book as "Terri Warren, R.N., M.S., M.Ed. - Nurse Practitioner." From reading the book, she also refers to "our clinic" several times. I can't find the reference right now, but it seems that she, along with her husband Ricks Warren, Ph.D - Psychologist, who co-wrote the manual, run an STD clinic.

She obviously knows what she's talking about - I read the thing last night. She is well qualified to write this book and know she's writing the truth with experience. Probably, she has seen more herpes than many General Practice Dr's out there. (Like mine, for instance...)

Open your mind. I downloaded this manual as soon as it was suggested, and read it in one sitting. It's great!

As a note, scientific research is wonderful, but the nitty gritty STD clinics will probably teach more to a doctor or nurse about the realities of a disease than a clinical trial or research on rats ever will!! I've been involved in a research study. They do wonderful work - but let's face it. Every disease affects every person differently - and a clinic would give you the opportunity to see and hear it all!

My dear Catherine, if you will kindly remove your index finger from my face, ordering me to open my mind (and remember that there are 3 fingers pointing back at youself, Hon), a Masters in Education means nothing unless you are a teacher, which she isn't, and a Masters in Science is just the beginning of the education a doctor undertakes. And, while I did state that I would get a copy and read her book, and open my mind, Ms. Warren, Registered Nurse, is making a fair living running a federally subsidized STD clinic with her husband, a psychologist (and nothing even remotely akin to a laboratory research scientist), and also benefiting handsomely from the royalties of her book. I am quite sure they are required to have doctors at the clinic to see patients, as they are not qualified, and I'd be willing to bet her position there is mainly administrative at this juncture, and she oversees more of the financial and personnel matters than she does the patients. Meanwhile, back at the scientific laboratory, understanding and studying the science of the pathogen using advancing technology, and laboratory diagnostic testing, cannot be replaced with grass roots clinical diagnosis and treatment. Obviously, it's been a long time since you worked in research if you did clinical trials on rats.

Oceana -

I've continually tried to get you to see the other side of several issues. You refuse to see it. I've tried to be polite. You don't. You are close minded, and obtuse in your observations and advise to others. You see only the side that benefits yourself. Your post below is a great example of this. I don't really think there is any point in arguing with someone who refuses to even try to see the other side - frankly, you are no longer worth the effort.

Bye bye.

LOL! You are so amusing. Well, Miss Polite, look how many times the word "YOU" and "YOUR" was used in your post, once again making personally offending remarks and accusations at me. I was so hoping you would be coming back with something akin to information. After all, I did concede to read the booklet upon your advise. I particularly enjoy the "polite" final statement that I am not worth the effort [of discussion]. I offer that I am a worthy person, and intelligent, and educated. I was simply making good points in a valid debate. Perhaps valid points are not acceptable to if they do not mirror your opinion. So sorry to have offended you. Please do accept my apologies.