Best Practices?

[Nick572]

Greetings:

I have posed this question on the help forum and received feedback from Grace. She was helpful; however, I also wanted a physicians opinion too. I do apologize in advance if this question has been highlighted; however, I could not find it.

I have a girlfriend who has had genital herpes for 14 years. She has minimal outbreaks a year and she takes Valtrex daily. From day one, we have been open and have always used protected sex. Provided the obvious (i.e., protected sex [condoms], washing and no sexual contact during an OB ) would washing my groin area (not hers) with Chlorhexidine Gluconate 4.0 (Hibiclens) prior to protected sex assist in eliminating the herpes odds?

This has not been covered anywhere but Hibiclens (according to various medical research) does kill herpes S1 and S2 on contact for up to six hours.

What is your thought on this process? Does this help lessen the odds of spread and infection?

Thanks in advance!

[skeet394]

Thanks for hurrying the royal baby delivery up!  LOL

[LewisMiller0909]

Sorry again. I just saw the reply from help_me880. I will wait for this forum to reopen. Sorry for the inconvenience and thank you.

[LewisMiller0909]

I'm sorry, doctor Warren and Nick572, for posting here. But I couldn't find the 'Post a Question' link on the Herpes Expert Forum. Is this forum closed? Will it open sometime? Sorry again for posting in this thread but I can't seem to start a new thread in this forum.

[Max7877]

Thank you very much! Seems like the forum is indeed very full......

[help_me880]

To Max7877: I am not Terri, but maybe I can answer your question.  Normally at the top below where it says "Herpes Expert Forum" there is a button that says "Post a Question."  The button is sometimes disabled if the expert has already received a maximum number of questions, the expert is on vacation, the forum is under maintenance, or possibly other similar reasons.  When you click the button, you can type your question and also enter your credit card number for pay the $20 fee.  Since it seems like the button is not available on this forum, I think your options are either to wait until this forum is again accepting new questions, post on the STDs expert forum instead, post on the herpes community (free, non-expert forum).

[Max7877]

Hi Terri, understand you're busy, but pls do get back to me when you can, on how to post to you so you can see my questions.... thank you so much!


Max7877

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I'll do my best

[Imembarrassed]

is it possible to have genital herpes and it not be painful? i noticed an open sore downstairs but it doesn't hurt, i am aware of it now though. i can basically feel where it is but i'm sure that's me just being paranoid because i had no idea about it till i went looking. it doesn't burn to pee i never noticed a blister. could this STILL be genital herpes? i always thought the first outbreak would be painful.

[Care777]

Hello Terri, Could you please help me?  I had unprotected sex outside my marriage when we were split up about a year ago.  I had pain in my buttocks down my legs really bad and felt ill, but no out break.  I went to my doc about two months after I had the unprotected sex and he tested me for HSV-1 & HSV-2...both were negative.  Now I am experiences that same pain again with no outbreak, but my husband had one quarter size round raised rash on his buttock cheek that didn't turn into any blisters, but when it started to go away it looked like a bruise.      We are both ichy in our private area and anus.  I can't describe the pain I am in....it can hurt to sit and walk and I feel truly ill.  The more I stress the worse I feel.  I just went again for a second HSV-1 & HSV-2 and both were negative again????  Is it possible that we have HSV-2 and it doesn't show up in my blood work?  He doesn't have pain like I do and I haven't had any outbreak.  One doctor told me I have back problems, but when I saw my husbands rash my blood pressure has been sky high and I can't sleep.  I don't understand why my blood test would be negative and all this is happening to both of us.  Someone please help me, I feel like I am going to have a heart attack because my stress level is so high.  Thank you!

[skeet394]

While you're in Europe, please hurry the royal baby along!!!!!  LOL

[skeet394]

As far as I know, I've never infected anyone else.  Although, I was only in 2 long-term relationships in the last 25 years.  The most important thing is to be honest with your other person.  As I said previously, I'm still royally pissed off that I got the H, and the infected person never said a word to me.  Since it was 25 years ago, I never even thought to ask him.  Although, knowing his background, I should've been smart enough to know to ask.  Hey, it was my "Bad Boy" phase, and I'm to blame as well.
I'm not with either of the long-term relationship men now.  So, the next time I get involved, I will absolutely be honest with that person too.  I couldn't live with myself by passing H along and not advising someone.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I am in Europe at the std meeting and don't have those instructions with me here, sorry

Terri

[Nick572]

Thank you skeet!

Let me ask you, in the 25 years living with H, have you ever infected a partner? The reason I ask is, I am curious as to actually how many couples infect the other non-infected partner using precautions.
I have heard of the low odds but I am just wondering if anyone has been one of those low odds.
Just curious.
Thanks for the kind words!

[Max7877]

Hi Terri, I've got a few questions that need your expert advice on regarding HSV2, but I'm somehow not able to find any instructions on how to pay and post at your forum for you to see... can you advise pls?


Max7877

[skeet394]

I've had H for probably 25 years now.  I've been honest w/every partner, and still want to ruin the jackass who wasn't honest with me.  I have never taken medicine, as I might have an OB once every 2 years, and aspirin works to make me feel better.

I do hope what you're doing works.  You've got yourself a good woman if she's as honest as she sounds.  Good Luck.

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

It wouldn't only be the producti would be careful with but also the friction of rubbing.  Keep it gentle and it might be fine.

Terri

[Nick572]

Just for clarification purposes, I spoke to the makers of Hibiclens regarding the use of their product and effects on skin.

They stated, "Hibiclens tested to be about as irritating as water in a dermatological test and has a ph that matches the skin so it is extremely gentle on the skin even with frequent use".

Thanks!

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I will

Terri

[Nick572]

Thank you Mrs. Warren!

I suppose, as Grace mentioned, it's hard to lessen 1% odds.

Should you come across any pertaining data...I would be interested. Please forward my way.

Thank you!

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

That's hard to answer accurately as we have no data on such a study.  The possible problem with washing prior to sex that I see is causing irritation enough to cause microscopic breaks in the skin that would allow the virus in more easily.  So if anybody does it it should be her not you,  but again, there is no data on that subject.

Terri