I've noticed that some of the posts on this board mention that if you are a carrier of herpes, lack of sleep, poor diets and stress contribute to outbreaks. Are these things a really huge factor in how frequently outbreaks occur in the event that you have herpes? Outside of natural regular sleep and relaxation are there certain foods and such that help to regulate these out breaks? What has worked for you? Thanks friends.

i am new to learning about this as well. my daughter has it. from what i understand is that the poor diets, lack of sleep and stress are all factors of having more outbreaks due to the fact that those things play heck on the body's immune system. so by taking better care of your self and taking vitamin c and maybe something like danactive all help boost your immune system in order to better fight against the outbreaks. but i could be wrong like i said i am new in this as well i am just learning myself on how to better help my daughter as well as trying to figure out if i can get it from her since her's is on her mouth. like drinking after each other and so forth. plus i need to protect my 2 yr old grandson. i really hope this helps you.

i am new to learning about this as well. my daughter has it. from what i understand is that the poor diets, lack of sleep and stress are all factors of having more outbreaks due to the fact that those things play heck on the body's immune system. so by taking better care of your self and taking vitamin c and maybe something like danactive all help boost your immune system in order to better fight against the outbreaks. but i could be wrong like i said i am new in this as well i am just learning myself on how to better help my daughter as well as trying to figure out if i can get it from her since her's is on her mouth. like drinking after each other and so forth. plus i need to protect my 2 yr old grandson. i really hope this helps you.

Well I appreciate the response. I've done a little research myself as precautionary measure and concern. As far as your situation I believe that the only way of passing the virus to someone else is when there is an out break. Herpes from what I hear is realitively versatile virus. It can remain as a relatively mild and common sore that can be caused from large consumption of acidic foods and such as well as common ailments. In combination with gental contact can cause HSV2 then intern can become a more sever sore wuth gental to mouth contact. Either way the point I'm attempting to make from my knowledge is that the risk to you as well as you grand child is minimal as long as your daughter takes the needed precautions when the virus appears. Take care and thanks for your response.

Herpes tends to break out when your immunity is low, stress can cause overload on your immunity so it makes sense to have more outbreaks during this time.

It can be transmitted without an outbreak being apparent, its called 'shedding of the virus' this is why it such a contagious disease. people that do not have blisters can still 'shed' and transmit it to unsuspecting partners.

Myfaq -

Just a couple of comments to clarify for you, since you are new to the virus.

1. As the previous poster said, herpes CAN be transmitted even when you aren't having an outbreak. This is really important to realize, since you can never consider yourself 100% "safe" and so need to inform any partners of your herpes status.

2. Herpes sores generally aren't caused by consumption of acidic foods - those would be canker sores, which are different thing and aren't caused by a virus.

3. For many people, "common ailments" don't bring on an outbreak. But the resulting depression in their immune system from having a cold may. However, this doesn't hold true for everyone, myself included. In fact, I've been sick any number of times since I got the virus. I also have a horrible diet, I don't exercise much, and I eat the foods that supposedly can cause outbreaks in some people. I don't take any supplements either. But it doesn't affect my outbreaks at all - it's all just how an individual reacts.

4. Your comment "in combination with genital can cause HSV2" confused me a little. I just wanted to make sure that you are aware that the two strains do not turn into each other. You can have either strain in either location. If you have Type 1 oral herpes, it can be spread to someone else's genitals, but it remains Type 1, it doesn't turn into Type 2 because now it's in a genital location.

Myfaq -
4. Your comment "in combination with genital can cause HSV2" confused me a little. I just wanted to make sure that you are aware that the two strains do not turn into each other. You can have either strain in either location. If you have Type 1 oral herpes, it can be spread to someone else's genitals, but it remains Type 1, it doesn't turn into Type 2 because now it's in a genital location.

my daughter's dr. told her that they can mutate into each other. but i think my daughter was lying like i said she is still in denial stage. she also wont tell any of her other sex partners she has it. are there any concerns like sharing the washing machine, cups, spoons etc... i should be concerned about when she comes to visit? she has had type 1 all her life but she has type 2 blood test and breaks out at the original infection spot her mouth. if her break outs were in her gential area i would not worry so much but i just want to be knowledgeable with the mouth area. espically with my grandson. thanks for all your help.

Myfaq -

Just a couple of comments to clarify for you, since you are new to the virus.

1. As the previous poster said, herpes CAN be transmitted even when you aren't having an outbreak. This is really important to realize, since you can never consider yourself 100% "safe" and so need to inform any partners of your herpes status.

2. Herpes sores generally aren't caused by consumption of acidic foods - those would be canker sores, which are different thing and aren't caused by a virus.

3. For many people, "common ailments" don't bring on an outbreak. But the resulting depression in their immune system from having a cold may. However, this doesn't hold true for everyone, myself included. In fact, I've been sick any number of times since I got the virus. I also have a horrible diet, I don't exercise much, and I eat the foods that supposedly can cause outbreaks in some people. I don't take any supplements either. But it doesn't affect my outbreaks at all - it's all just how an individual reacts.

4. Your comment "in combination with genital can cause HSV2" confused me a little. I just wanted to make sure that you are aware that the two strains do not turn into each other. You can have either strain in either location. If you have Type 1 oral herpes, it can be spread to someone else's genitals, but it remains Type 1, it doesn't turn into Type 2 because now it's in a genital location.

Ok, I understand. I'm glad that was clarified because I wouldn't want anyone to read what I wrote and be misinformed.:)

So really carrying a healthy life can contribute to less outbreaks simply because you are maintaining a healthy immune system, BUT this isn't a direct result to the number of outbreaks you could have. It could only help. I understand.

Why can't the herpe virus be found in blood tests? I recently went to the doctors and had blood work done. My results were clears of HIV and such but when I asked him if my results were clear of Herpes and similar virus's he told me that they would have to test through and out break. I am really yet to be diagnosed, but I've spent much of time convincing myself that I am or could be out of fear.:(

Herpes CAN be tested for by blood. However, it takes 3 - 4 months post exposure before the antibodies have built up to a detectable level in your blood. Hence, if you have a new infection, they won't be able to diagnose you with a blood test.

A new infection is usually diagnosed by a culture, however, the swab must be taken while the sore is still fresh. Usually a sore that's been around for more than 48 hours can't be depended on for accurate results

Herpes CAN be tested for by blood. However, it takes 3 - 4 months post exposure before the antibodies have built up to a detectable level in your blood. Hence, if you have a new infection, they won't be able to diagnose you with a blood test.

A new infection is usually diagnosed by a culture, however, the swab must be taken while the sore is still fresh. Usually a sore that's been around for more than 48 hours can't be depended on for accurate results

I don't mean to bud in on someone else's post, but I was read this, and wanted to ask while it was out there. I had my culture done about 5 days after the sores started being exposed, and was diagnosed positive. How where they able to determine this if they weren't fresh?

False negative culture tests happen all the time - because once a sore starts to heal the amount of active virus is decreasing and less detectable.

The 48 hour rule is "generic". Some people could go longer and some shorter - the same way some people develop antibodies in their blood in 2 weeks, and some people take 6 months. The generic answer is 3 - 4 months.

False positive culture tests are non-existent for the most part.