GettingWellAgain

Hello,

I am so sorry for what you are going through--herpes can be tough to deal with emotionally. The first thing that I have to say is that the medical community is SO undeducated about herpes and I have no idea why this is. Planned Parenthood is one facility that is known for being up on all of the latest STD and birth control information, and they are activists as well, but a Planned Parenthood clinician told me that I don't have herpes based on appearance and I definitely do have genital herpes. Other doctors who are so-called STD specialists are also unaware that herpes isn't always a scabby or ***** sore, as well. I don't know how this can be when even Valtrex commercials list statisitics about how "1 in 4 people have herpes and 70% get it from their partner when their partner experiences no signs or symptoms." I have NEVER had the "typical" herpes outbreak. In the beginning, I experienced small white bumps in my inner labia that never broke upen or scabbed over, but itched. Now, I get one small sore the size of a pencil tip that hurts terribly and actually does scab over. Other times, I get no sores, but I get tingly and very flu-like for a week or so, with a bit of itchiness here and there. It is different each and every time. I can't stress how ridiculously ignorant it is of a medical doctor NOT to give someone a blood test for herpes. After all, if 1 and 4 people are infected, it is VERY likely that a person complaining of symptoms will be positive. You need to realize that until 11-14 weeks, you won't show up positive. AND you need to request the HerpeSelect test, as well, since it is the most accurate. My test showed up negative at about 11 weeks, but I was sick as heck with an active herpes infection. Anyway, the best way to deal with having herpes is to take the BEST care of yourself physically and emotionally. I like to think of herpes as a wake up call--now I REALLY make sure I avoid stress and eat right. Boosting your immune system will help ward off outbreaks, but sometimes even that doesn't work for the first few months as herpes run its course. Often, it gets better over time. You could be one of the lucky few that only get one outbreak, and never "hear" from the virus again. I suggest taking a multivitamin, increasing your Vitamin C intake, avoiding stress at all costs, taking garlic tablets, and making sure you sleep enough every night. Take Care.
~Katalina

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Vestibular problems, CFS, adrenal issues.