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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/10/2008 11:45:46 AM |  because i just don't think i will deal with it or want some one who i have sex with have that no way i would walk away | |
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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/10/2008 12:06:17 PM |
Prevention:
The suggestions for preventing genital herpes are the same as those for preventing other sexually transmitted diseases. The key is to avoid being infected with HSV, which is highly contagious while lesions are present. The best way to prevent infection is to abstain from sexual activity or to limit sexual contact to only one person who is infection-free. Short of that, you can:
Use, or have your partner use, a latex condom during each sexual contact.
Limit the number of sex partners.
Avoid intercourse if either partner has an outbreak of herpes in the genital area or anywhere else.
Open communication with your partner or potential partner is important.
If you're pregnant, be sure to tell your doctor that you have HSV or, if you're unsure, ask to be tested for HSV. Watch for signs and symptoms of HSV during pregnancy. Your doctor may recommend that you start taking herpes antiviral medications late in pregnancy to try to prevent an outbreak from occurring around the time of delivery. If you're having an outbreak when you go into labor, your doctor will probably suggest a Caesarean section to reduce the risk of passing the virus to your baby.
--Mayo Clinic, Feb. 2008 | |
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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/10/2008 12:46:24 PM | I'd thank them for informing me and move on.
Knowing someone had a disease of any kind in the down belows would put me off completely I'm afraid. | |
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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/10/2008 12:47:41 PM | No..I don't think that's the way to look at it. I personally have exams every 4 months, give or take a month. Genital Herpes would scare the hell out of me. Being a woman, and wanting to have children, if I would give birth.. it could bring the baby all sorts of health problems..I.E., blindness. Also, having a disease like that... I would have to go through a c-section. There are long term things to think about. I don't think this is casual..."hey, I have gential herpes.." There are certain dating websites for people who suffer from diseases. Yes, your options are certainly more limited.
I just came out of a marriage a year ago, and it's amazing the things that you have to worry about. Speaking from personal experience, the last person I was involved with before my husband told me he has genital warts. I went to the doctor literally 20 times in six months. They told me to stop going, I was fine. I have casually remained friends with him throughout the years. He is actually on here. Honestly, he makes me sick. He has said, that he hasn't had an outbreak in years. He sleeps around, a lot. He doesn't tell anyone. And to top it off, he'll start hitting on me here or there. I'm just thinking, you have got to be kidding me. And yes, condoms really don't protect you. I feel bad for anyone that he sleeps with. I just think people need to be more careful of who they become involved with. | |
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diamah
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Joined: 6/1/2006
Msg: 624 | |
| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/10/2008 12:56:59 PM |
Who was it claiming that 90% of people had the herpes virus?
From: http://www.herpes.com/hsv1-2.html
"By the time they're teenagers or young adults, about 50% of Americans have HSV-1 antibodies in their blood. By the time they are over age 50, some 80-90% of Americans have HSV-1 antibodies."
That everyone getting it was inevitable?
Seems getting HSV1 (or at least having the antibodies) is almost inevitable. Getting HSV2 isn't inevitable; and I haven't seen that said by anyone here.
I'd be curious to find out whether the incidence of genital HSV outbreaks was also decreasing, or if it was specifically a reduction in HSV2. For most people, genital sores are the issue, regardless of whether the specific virus is #1 or #2. I can't find that information specifically (maybe someone else knows or has links), although quite a few articles mention that genital HSV1 is on the rise around the world, and that in some countries HSV1 comprises 50% or more of all genital herpes cases. | |
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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/10/2008 1:01:50 PM |
Getting HSV2 isn't inevitable; and I haven't seen that said by anyone here.
Member "Forum 101" said it on this same page--reply #607. It's pure crap, and it's just good that most members aren't falling for it. | |
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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/10/2008 1:08:33 PM | From the same Mayo Clinic Website as above: (Which was not updated Feb 08. Only the privacy policy was...not the information....which is apparent as the new CDC stats are that 1 in 4 adults have genital HSV2. The stats are higher if you include Genital HSV1.) The site still refers to 1 in 6.
However, what is interesting is that this same site as quoted above, describes genital herpes as no reason to give up sex or relationships with a negative partner....as you will see below. (This is generally the same message you will find on all the health sites including ASHA, CDC, Herpes Alliance, WebMD, and many others).
Mayo Clinic site says:
"Genital herpes is common, affecting both men and women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the herpes simplex virus is present in as many as one in six teens and adults in the United States".
"There's no cure for this recurrent infection, which may cause embarrassment and emotional distress. Having genital herpes is no reason to avoid sex or give up on relationships though. If you or your partner is infected, you can manage the spread of HSV by taking steps to protect yourself and your partner".
"The majority of people who've been infected with HSV never know they have the disease because they have no signs or symptoms. The signs and symptoms of HSV can be so mild they go unnoticed".
I find it interesting that the site no longer refers to genital herpes as HSV2, but rather simply as HSV...mmmmmmmmmmm!
The same site does go on to describe HSV1 of the cold sore variety though. They go into detail about complications and symptoms - and the prevention of spreading those. I won't even bother to post that info here as its rather graphic and could scare ANYONE! (They say things like "Be careful about touching other parts of your body. Your eyes and genital area may be particularly susceptible to spread of the virus". ) The prevention portion of the cold sore section is far more cautious than the genital herpes section, which I find interesting.
But please feel free to Google Mayo Clinic Herpes for the information on both - and perhaps a little perspective...!
Herpes is just a virus, no matter where / and if it appears, and no matter which set of nerve ganglia it resides in. Why don't we just start calling genital herpes "cold sores" as well. (Or maybe give it a nice new politically correct name!) I mean, its not like the name "cold sore" is indicative of which part of the body its on....sheeeeeesh!!! I sure as heck wouldn't stop dating someone just because they have a history of cold sores. Would any of you?????? | |
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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/10/2008 1:39:27 PM | For new readers of this thread, before you post more of the "I would run/dirty" theme comments, spare a thought for those who you are judging very prematurely and are hurting very deeply.
I have to disagree very strongly on this just being "sores" my posts 515, 587 and 590 discuss the very real changes to this woman's life, as being far more than sores. Repeating again, it is men, refusing testing, refusing disclosure who are the primary spreaders. Women's anatomy makes us more vulnerable and we suffer more seriously from the effects as a rule. Females also tend to take their's and the health of their babies more seriously as well. The risk of transmission is higher male to female than the reverse, maybe because women actually speak up and have a better conscience about abstaining during an outbreak. Men are famously inconsiderate sexually and in so many ways, yet are always so very quick to degrade and infect a female.
I am deeply moved to see the Mayo clinic as with so much of the medical profession; promoting the continuing spread of this disease. The Mayo clinic sure has lost a lot of credibility in my eyes today.
We need to change attitudes about containment, we need to place our hopes in vaccination, we need people to access suppressive therapy, we need men especially to be more considerate and heaven forbid, even be faithful to their wives .
High hopes yes. | |
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diamah
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Joined: 6/1/2006
Msg: 628 | |
| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/10/2008 1:56:39 PM |
Member "Forum 101" said it on this same page--reply #607. It's pure crap, and it's just good that most members aren't falling for it.
Oh, I did read that. "only a matter of time till hsv2 is at 90%". I didn't interpret her comments the same way you did, obviously. I did just read an article that said by 2025, 40% of the adult population would test positive for HSV2. Flies in the face of other articles, including the one posted by you, so who knows? There is also supposedly a vaccine for HSV in the works. :)
I do continue to wonder why you are so rabid about HSV2, and so calm about HSV1. None of the links I've found on my own, or followed as a result of this thread have demonstrated any appreciable differences between the two viruses: they are both usually mild; complications from them, when they occur, are for the most part similar or identical. The major difference seems to be the prevalance of HSV1 vs. the acceptability of HSV2 (or, presumably, Genital HSV1). But I imagine by this point, your oddity around this will have to remain one of life's little mysteries. | |
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diamah
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Joined: 6/1/2006
Msg: 629 | |
| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/10/2008 2:05:21 PM |
I apologize if my comments were hurtful to anyone.
Not to me. I understand people make decisions about who they wish to be involved with based on a lot of things; one of mine is smoking. You didn't make any comments about how people with herpes are dirty, or how they must have slept around or not been "careful", or suggested that "people with diseases should go to a different website", so what was there to be hurt about? You are entitled to your preferences. I would hope that this discussion has given you information that will be useful to you, though. :) If I must announce to the world that I have genital herpes, I'd like to know I got more then "eww, yuck! go away, you dirty slut!" as a response.  | |
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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/10/2008 2:33:47 PM |
I do continue to wonder why you are so rabid about HSV2, and so calm about HSV1.
That's a mischaracterization. For one thing, this thread is about genital herpes--that's the focus here. Anything else is off-topic. Obviously, anyone who is getting oral outbreaks should be careful. The fact is that HSV-1 and HSV-2 are different viruses. Their alleles are different. Their DNA sequencing is different (only 66% identical). The two viruses strongly favor different infection sites. Their possible complications manifest largely as different illnesses. And outbreak frequency is different.
Also, the simple fact is that there is not much you can do about a pandemic (oral HSV-1 infection rate >80%). There is a lot people can do to avoid the spread of a related, but DIFFERENT infection (genital HSV-2) which currently has a 20% (at best) infection rate. Prevention of the spread should be the priority. | |
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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/10/2008 3:09:56 PM | Diamah, you were asking if someone knows where the info comes from regarding so many new HSV1 genital infections. I hope this helps. This is on the CDC site:
"The clinical diagnosis of genital herpes is both insensitive and nonspecific. The classical painful multiple vesicular or ulcerative lesions are absent in many infected persons. Up to 50% of first-episode cases of genital herpes are caused by HSV-1 (63), but recurrences and subclinical shedding are much less frequent for genital HSV-1 infection than genital HSV-2 infection (64,65). Therefore, whether genital herpes is caused by HSV-1 or HSV-2 influences prognosis and counseling. Therefore, the clinical diagnosis of genital herpes should be confirmed by laboratory testing (66). Both virologic and type-specific serologic tests for HSV should be available in clinical settings that provide care for patients with STDs or those at risk for STDs".
(As I understand it, from people I know who attended the last CDC conference, the numbers break down into age groups too, with 65% of new genital cases in the under 25yr age bracket as being HSV1).
The CDC site, in the ENTIRE Genital Herpes section refers to causes of genital Herpes as caused by both HSV1 and HSV2 viruses.
They also go on to say that the majority of cases of genital herpes has been spread from those who are unaware that they carry the virus. (Which is why I find it so ironic that people would run from anyone who KNOWS what they have and can at least manage it - yet will stay with someone who has no clue if they do or not - which as we know is the vast majority of carriers). I could understand if HSV carriers were being rejected if BOTH partners were always being accurately tested all the time, before any intimacy, and 3 months after their last intimate contact - including kissing - but as we know, that is not the reality. Most people who make these awful judgemental comments have probably never had a type specific blood test in their life, let alone insisted that their partner have one. As you know, here in Canada, its virtually impossible to get the test even if you want it, and all over North America, if you ask for a full spectrum of STD testing, Herpes will not be included!
Anyway, the CDC has brand new 2008 brochures out, and they all list the cause of Genital Herpes as HSV1 and HSV2 (repeatedly).
Hope this helps:-) | |
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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/10/2008 3:21:00 PM | Actually there is, something you can do about a pandemic.
People are actually realising the harm of kissing babies, children and others whilst having sores. The rates of HSV1 infection in the younger generations IS FALLING.
It is heartening that less babies are automatically receiving HSV1.
Social attitudes CAN CHANGE, maybe even eventually the unspeakable attitude of the medical profession can change too. | |
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diamah
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Joined: 6/1/2006
Msg: 633 | |
| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/10/2008 3:48:15 PM |
this thread is about genital herpes--that's the focus here. Anything else is off-topic.
Since HSV1 is also "genital herpes", I think it's on-topic - I think there are still a lot of people who don't realize their cold sores could show up on someone else's genitalia.
The fact is that HSV-1 and HSV-2 are different viruses.
" According to The American Social Health Association, under a microscope HSV 1 and HSV 2 are virtually identical" (http://www.herpesonline.org/hsv1vs2.html)
Their possible complications manifest largely as different illnesses.
Initially, this is what I thought as well but it doesn't seem borne out by the evidence that I've seen presented here or that I’ve found elsewhere. I’ve summarized the following info from http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic1006.htm#FollowupComplications
and it may not be a complete list, but I think it covers most of what I’ve seen on this forum.
Bacterial and fungal superinfection are not uncommon. – HSV type not specified, but I’d guess more commonly caused by HSV2 for obvious reasons.
Ocular infections – usually HSV1, but can also be caused by HSV2
Ganglionitis and myelitis: Again, HSV type not specified and I’m guessing both, with HSV2 more likely to be the cause.
Eczema herpeticum – HSV type not specified so I’m assuming both.
Herpetic whitlow: - usually HSV1, sometimes HSV2
Herpes gladiatorum: - HSV1 (Since Wrestlers aren’t usually indulging in sex with each other, I guess)
Visceral infections: HSV infection of the visceral organs usually results from viremia, and multiple organ involvement is common. This may occur during otherwise asymptomatic primary infections and sometimes in seemingly immunologically normal hosts.
Disseminated HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections also can result in herpetic esophagitis, adrenal necrosis, interstitial HSV pneumonitis, HSV cystitis, HSV arthritis, HSV meningitis, and HSV encephalitis.
Aseptic meningitis: - Usually HSV2
Mollaret meningitis – HSV1
Herpes simplex encephalitis: - almost exclusively HSV1
Neonatal infection: Usually HSV2, sometimes HSV1
Perhaps you see my difficulty with your stance that HSV1 is less of a problem than HSV2? How is Mollaret Meningitis preferable to or less serious than Aseptic meningitis? As a matter of fact, Mollaret is a recurring condition, whereas Aseptic is not. Which would you rather have, if you had to choose? And, if one is unfortunate enough to suffer from Herpes simplex encephalitis, is it somehow comforting to know that it almost certainly came from a cold sore and not a genital lesion? Given the list and the most likely causes for each, I’m really hard pressed to decide which is “better” or “less serious”. I do know I’m going to be asking future dates if they have or have ever had cold sores, though – that’s one thing this thread has changed for me.
Also, the simple fact is that there is not much you can do about a pandemic (oral HSV-1 infection rate >80%). There is a lot people can do to avoid the spread of a related, but DIFFERENT infection (genital HSV-2) which currently has a 20% (at best) infection rate. Prevention of the spread should be the priority.
This is really where you make so little sense. Since HSV1 is much more prevalent than HSV2 it would just make sense to me to put at least equal emphasis on preventing the spread of both – that it’s a pandemic and so there’s no point really seems to me to be a complete copout on your part. I can’t fault you for your stance on reducing the spread of illness, but I do fault you for the hypocrisy of your focus. | |
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diamah
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Joined: 6/1/2006
Msg: 634 | |
| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/10/2008 4:11:06 PM | Thanks Sweet. :) Interesting stats, wonder where it's all going? Will HSV1 eventually predominate both above and below the waist? I do know that 25 years ago, I was told that 25% of the adult population had genital herpes, and that doesn't seem to have have changed much in the intervening years. And, herpes has been around for centuries and the population of the world continues to grow. I'm sure there are more serious diseases to worry about, like HIV, cancer, diabetes, etc.
Although, along with much of the rest of the crowd, I'm beginning to think people shouldn't be allowed to date other people unless their diseases match up. Thus, my future SO will need to have herpes (still have to determine type 1 or 2), a bit of asthma, and a family history of emphysema and dementia. We'll have to hook up before the dementia sets in, though.
www.dementedlovers.com
www.breathehardwithme.com
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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/11/2008 8:55:58 AM |
I do know that 25 years ago, I was told that 25% of the adult population had genital herpes, and that doesn't seem to have have changed much in the intervening years.
It would be great news if the rates of infection either maintain or drop like they are among the 18 - 49 age group. That's always encouraging news. Prevention is the key. | |
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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/13/2008 9:04:34 AM | After reading most of this forum, I was stunned by one bit of info: 90% of us have HSV-1? So, I googled that and found one writer who claimed, “Approximately 90% of HIV-positive individuals are seropositive for HSV-1, and about 77% of HIV-positive individuals are seropositive for HSV-2.” (http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/herpes-simplex-virus-hsv-infection-218162.html) But for whatever sad reason, this article lacked a reference/source of that data. Now, while I haven’t specifically found the CDC or NIH quoting these numbers – nor have I exhaustively searched – there are many health professionals who seem to use such numbers.
As someone who strongly believes that anyone who is not in a monogamous relationship should get tested frequently, I have found that this forum is peppered with folks who simply don’t get it (the facts) and probably why the numbers are so high. NOT hyperbole, such numbers do suggest an epidemic. So DO say the US Government! http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/factsheets/At-A-Glance.htm
Whether free (and IT IS in California – free health clinics in every county) or you have to pay some of your hard-earned dollars, don’t you think it’s worth it to get tested frequently if you’re sexually active?!?!? More importantly, don’t you think that your current or next sexual partner is worth it?? (“Prevention”? LOL Yeah, only if you believe abstinence works too.) Disclosure and honesty might actually do more good than all the Valtrex in the world! | |
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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/13/2008 9:28:38 AM | | do yourselves a favor and stop looking into this herpes and STI stuff cause you'll never enjoy life if your all scared now...god forbid people could live a healthy life without those silly paranoias... | |
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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/13/2008 2:43:16 PM | That is just the sad reality of it wondering, after this - there simply is no more healthy happy life ever again. There are sores and blisters every month, in my case the ongoing damage to my brain and nervous system - would I really want to risk the last of what is left of my health? Especially now that I am at increased risk for all the other stds especially Aids? Paranoia, deep distrust, suspicion is what is necessary to remain healthy, no-one should ever be trusted when it comes to your health, married or not.
Do you know after 7 years, even if you have been in a "monogamous relationship" as if those exist! A woman even if she has only ever had one man in that time, and he is the only partner she has ever had; she needs to be checked for cervical cancer - for the rest of her life, because of the health risk posed by that one man and the statistical unlikelihood of him remaining faithful for that long.
I see a future of women deciding men are just not worth the risk, and choosing IVF. Given my choice to do it all again, it is what I would do, I would not bother at all. Frankly it is not as though men bring something positive to a woman's life in any way, its just sex and stds, they really aren't into good shared times are they?
For the sake of this thread finally coming to a close, someone please let Spitfire have the last word? | |
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diamah
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Joined: 6/1/2006
Msg: 639 | |
| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/13/2008 3:30:43 PM | Quicksilver, you are apparently one of the few who have been unlucky enough to have had suffered one of the complications associated with HSV. I feel for you, and thus I certainly understand the motivations behind your posts.
However, men are not to "blame" for HSV; they get it as well, and they also suffer side effects. Women also pass HSV either unknowingly or because they just don't feel like telling their partner. Women also cheat and bring things home to their unsuspecting and faithful male spouses. Your experience is not gender-specific.
I certainly hope that one day you will be able find peace within yourself and that you'll be able to believe that not every male on the planet is an irresponsible liar & cheater.
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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/13/2008 3:49:17 PM | I agree with Quicksilver that abstinence may be a very good solution for many people. Long-term monogamy is obviously the best solution for everyone else. Those are value-sets which many people won't accept (and that is their right), so in the meantime, people should get tested and ask their potential partners to get tested before having sex.
You can't minimize this thing, and you can't just disregard the risk. The experience of some of the exemplary posters on this thread proves that. Mutual respect, discretion, and long-term planning will be needed to protect and enhance everyone's health. | |
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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/15/2008 12:07:55 AM | Quicksilver, I am really really sorry for the horrible experience and the incredibly negative impact it has had on your life.
You have to remember though, there are a LOT of people who live and have lived with HSV1 for most of their lives without having the types of complications you have.
I have had this since I was a child. I have learned more and become more responsible but I can't blame a man for cheating on me anymore than I can blame a mother, an aunt, or a grandmother for kissing a child.
Yours is indeed the WORST CASE SCENARIO....this virus does not affect MOST people the way it has affected you. I don't know you or your medical history but your case has made me wonder why some are impacted so traumatically when others don't even know they have it. I thought maybe your immune system was weak, but I was incredibly weak and anemic as a child when I first started getting cold sores...and besides the once or twice a year when they came out, I never had any other symptom.
If MOST cases were like yours, I am pretty sure more drastic measures would have been taken by now...but, and I don't mean to somehow trivialize this virus, but most cases are like mine...at least with HSV1....its the only one I can speak from experience on.
So with all due respect, and considering there is still probably A LOT we don't know about any one or all forms of Herpes, we as a society, cannot use the worst case scenario as the standard. It is impractical, illogical and it would serve no purpose but to create mass chaos.
I really am very sorry for all your suffering, and I think someone has said it before, I do hope for your emotional well being that you will find a way to overcome all the rage you are feeling.
Be well. | |
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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/16/2008 9:46:38 PM | call me a chicken,lol ,,,It just happened to me, I met this honest woman telling me she has herpes and sorry, I like going down on a woman and the thought of having herpes in my mouth or my eyes grosses me,lol
Its k tho, I just missed the chance to please a woman :)  | |
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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/17/2008 9:30:22 PM | You're not chicken, Diet7up. I was faced with that decision too, a few years back. You made the right decision just like I did. No one in their right mind is going to approach this thing saying: "Oh, it's OK. I probably won't have too many outbreaks or complications. Love is worth it!" Nope, it's not. The woman, no matter how beautiful she is, is not worth that. No time is a good time to catch the Creeper.
Here is some more information about the real differences between HSV-1 and HSV-2:
http://www.mf.uni-lj.si/acta-apa/acta-apa-00-1/rogl.html
Don't let anyone tell you that all 8 recognized viruses are basically the same thing. That's wrong. Every Herpes virus is different, and manifests differently. Protect yourself. | |
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| Genital Herpes
Posted: 2/21/2008 1:48:36 PM | With numerous sources claiming somewhere in the 20% to 25% range of people being infected with the HSV virus, it would be reasonabe to assume that if you've had four or five sex partners in your life - you've been exposed to the HSV virus. Sources of information also claim that the virus can lay dormant for years before triggering a primary outbreak, or that the infected persons symptoms can be so insignifigant that a person is not aware of the infection.
Yes, the strain of each virus is different, and can even behave differently in different individuals. There are no definitive yes or no answers to herpes questions as there are exceptions to every rule.
One thing to keep in mind with these official looking website documents (from apparent third world university medical departments) is that the journey through scientific discovery is plauged with numerous assumptions and misconceptions that time and research eventually dispell.
The scientific and medical community do seem to agree that in most cases of HSV infection - the mental stigma suffered does far greater damage to the quality of life than the viral infection itself.
In regards to all those who suggest you flee that nobody's worth it - that little tingle you feel every once in awhile down there, and on your lip?????????????????? Would'nt it be ironic for you to encourage everyone to flee and persecute those with the infection all the while you could have it yourself. | |
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