I feel stupid as I sit here and read other treads. What is shedding? What is shingles? Out of all the years I have had Herpes I never heard of shedding or shingles. But than again, I never was interested in the disease. I just took my medication when I had an outbreak and went on about my business and living my life like I don't have it. I also didn't know that there is certain things that you can eat that will help an outbreak occur. What can or can't you eat? I didn't know that vitamins can play a role in your health with this either. Are there any books that can help me gather more knowledge of herpes? See, where I am at, they don't make herpes known, meaning they don't have like support groups, or anything like that. The big deal here is HIV/AIDS. They have support groups, and all sorts of things for people who are living with HIV/AIDS. I really need to know what can I do to reduce outbreaks, I have an outbreak every three to six months. I have no insurance and everytime I go to the health clinic here they tell me that I need to get a regular doctor. I tried to get assistance but they are not willing to help me. What can I do?

Thank goodness for the internet...I am not 100% on everything about your questions but this is what I know.

Shedding is where the virus travels from is storage location (your spine) back down to the infected area but DOES NOT cause the blister bump or lession. The virus is just present but not causing the symptoms.

Shingles is a virus of the herpes family and generally affects people later in life. I think somehow it is associated with the chicken pox virus. Symptoms are simillar but the shingles I saw looked like larger watery filled blisters.

I don't know where to tell you to look for information in your area but this message board has been of great help to me.

Good luclk

In addition to the last post - a person will (usually) only get Shingles once. I believe it starts out as a rash on one side of the body only, and then turns into blisters. It also involves some pretty achey/sore type symptoms. A second occurrence is rare, and further occurrences just don't happen. Shingles can affect all age groups, but will affect older people more severly.

Simplisticly - Shedding refers to the fact that the herpes virus is always present on your skin. Therefore, you can transmit it at any time, as you are always "shedding" the cells. However, it is much more likely to transmit the virus through an open sore or lesion.

I'm still a newbie, so to speak, so couldn't comment on what sort of diet affects OB's. There are lots of holistic remedies on this site, and I think it's really trial and error to see what works for each person as the results seem to vary.

California Girl and Oceanus recommended "The Updated Herpes Handbook" to me recently. I looked this up online last night ladies, and you were right, it's very informative about all sorts of stuff. To repeat it here, it's by Terri Warren. Just do a search for the title and you'll find it. As a note, you can download it as a PDF file and print it off at home - you don't even need to order or buy it!!

And there's that insurance issue again - wish I could help you there. I'm in Canada so the situation is different!!

Cheers!

Shingles is Varicella zoster, an adult form of chicken pox.

Yes. It is still herpes though...