Questions:

(I was diagnosed a week ago, I’m 36, newly single and don’t know how this has happened).

1.What can I expect in terms of outbreaks? How frequent, how long, what sort of symptoms, etc.? Will it get better in terms of severity?

2.What is the best treatment? Valtrex I’m told but are there alternatives? I am open to anything – traditional Asian, homeopathic, really anything.

3.How can I prevent outbreaks?

4.Valtrex can be a problem if taken continuously (every day)? Is this true? I don’t trust the hack doctor I saw.

5.Could I have possibly been misdiagnosed and have HSV1?

6.How did this happen? This is my big question. Here are the facts (morality aside please):

a.I have had sex with two women in the last 2-3 years. I have been separated from my wife for over a year and have only had sex with this one other woman a handful of times due to extreme distances and my wife hardly at all (like 2 times a year) hence some of our problems. She (new woman) has had no symptoms of HSV2 that I know of but does have cold sores.

b.I was diagnosed with symptoms a week ago but haven’t had sex at all since early Feb and before that Christmas. Before that October. (same woman - new). Before that maybe May 2011.

c.I do not believe this woman who I’m having infrequent sex with now has HSV2.

d.I have had no symptoms of anything, ever that I have recognized at least, my entire life until now.

e.So…

7.Can someone with “cold sores” actually have HSV2, not know it and transmit it orally?

8.What is the incubation period for HSV2 and how long can someone have it before realizing? All I can figure is that either I have had it for a looong time without symptoms or the woman I’m having sex with is a carrier and doesn’t know. Beyond that I have no idea. Ideas?

9.Could I have been infected via blood to blood transfers? I had an accident about 4 months ago and the person taking care of me definitely mixed blood.

Most importantly, I am completely in love with the new (ish) woman and after the past year have no idea what to tell her.

I have not had sex with prostitutes, do not have random sex with anyone, do not inject anything and 90% of the time wear a condom. What the hell?

I can say that the past few months have been hellish in terms of stress so my immune system is probably down a bit. Would this cause me (If I was a carrier) to exhibit symptoms suddenly even after maybe years?

Thank you.

Lost in transit wrote:
Questions:

2.What is the best treatment? Valtrex I’m told but are there alternatives? I am open to anything – traditional Asian, homeopathic, really anything.

3.How can I prevent outbreaks?



Allow me to answer two of your questions...
2. The only natural herpes treatment I’ve tried and works so far is not allowed. I began using it ever since I read about the natural ingredients they use, in its site. Among them is Bioflavonoids, popularly utilized natural cure for herpes. Bioflavonoids is usually found in quite a few range of foods and fruits such as apples, spices, berries and onions. It works by lessening the activity of the herpes virus by making it inactive or entirely dormant. It’s wonderfully works for me.

3. The healthier we keep ourselves, including staying generally healthy, eating well, getting enough sleep, and managing the stress in life, the stronger our immune systems, and the less likely we are to have a herpes episode. Supplement like advertising not allowed is good to take because it is a blend of 8 active ingredients concentrated from natural organic sources that have each been clinically proven to increase the body's immune response to the herpes virus. It can be used as a suppressive treatment, or when herpes outbreaks may occur. May be used alone or in conjuncton with advertising not allowed topical antiviral.

Thanks.

Can you offer any insight into my other questions?

I am particularly interested in how the heck this happened.

Hi there,

I thought I would share a little bit of my story, as it might be helpful. I am a 26 year old female. I was diagnosed with genital herpes in October, 2009. At the time, I had been with my boyfriend for almost a year. We had been having unprotected sex (with birth control) since January. I started having a watery discharge, unlike anything I had experienced before. I also began having hot flashes, cold sweats, and body aches. Honestly, I thought I had cervical cancer or something! I was in college at the time, so I went to the clinic on my campus. The Dr. immediately suspected HSV2 after taking a peak and hearing about my symptoms. I was shocked, because I had no "classic" herpes sores! As it turns out, my sores were completely internal - on my cervix - so I had no pain, and no blisters, or at least that I could see. At first, it was very upsetting to me. I felt the usual feelings of filth, guilt, etc. But fortunately, my boyfriend was very understanding, and sympathetic. He was very glad that I was upfront with him about the diagnosis. I still do not know who gave me the virus. I don't think it was my boyfriend, but who knows for sure? Before he and I got together, I had been in 2 other relationships, both about a year long, and never had any symptoms. My doctor told me that sometimes the virus can lie dormant for YEARS before someone has an outbreak, and some carriers NEVER have an outbreak!

Anway, life went on as usual, and I felt fortunate because I never had any subsequent outbreaks.... or so I thought. About a year and a half ago, which would be a year after the initial diagnosis, I got a little blistery rash almost on top of my knee cap, but a little above and inside. We had been camping the weekend before so my boyfriend convinced me that it was poison ivy. I went along, because I didn't know any better and didn't have any reason to suspect otherwise. However, just about two days ago, the blistery rash appeared in the EXACT SAME spot as before. I know this because I had a visible scar from the last time it happened. This time, the rash is more painful. After doing some extensive research online, it is obvious that it is herpes. It is painful and inconvenient! I wish I had been more aware because I would have started on the antiviral course that my doctor gave me years ago. Now that I know, I will be more vigilant.

So the point of all this is, it is a very disturbing diagnosis, and, after reading your story, you will probably NEVER know who you got it from. Neither will I. You just have to make peace with that, and make sure you are upfront and honest with your sexual partners. I know it isn't easy to talk about, but think about how you would feel if someone you were intimate with had a disease they knew about and didn't disclose to you. It may be uncomfortable, but it is the right thing to do.

In the meantime, try to remember that this isn't the end of your life. It's just a kind of crappy thing that you'll have to deal with from time to time. There are tons of forums and sites out there to lend support and advice.