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Valtrex Daily
Is there a benefit to taking Valtrex daily vs. just taking it during outbreaks? I was just diagnosed so I do not have an outbreak history but my doctor said she will only prescribe Valtrex during outbreaks. When I read about Valtrex daily it seems beneficial but that could be the pharmaceutical money talking. Also, is there any truth to taking lysine supplements or any other over the counter supplements that may help prevent outbreaks? Last question, I have not been with anyone for over a year and a half and have recently started having sex with one partner. All of a sudden I have my first outbreak and I read that the first outbreak happens within 2 - 21 days of exposure. That means it must be from him correct? Thanks so much for the advice.
Yes the first out break seems to be the most dramatic. At least that was the case for me and ive read alot of forums and articles saying the same.
Actually for many folks the first ob is rather mild. It's not always the "classic" first ob that you read about.
grace
grace
The thing with herpes is - it's really hard to figure out when you got it and who you got it from. Sometimes it's pretty cut and dry - negative blood test and + lesion culture but not always. was your blood test + for hsv2 too?
The 2-20 day part means that in folks who are going to notice the symptoms of a brand spankin' new infection - they will occur within that time period. Most folks don't notice symptoms and/or don't realize what symptoms they do have are due to herpes with a newly acquired infection so oftentimes it's actually just your first obvious recurrence when you do notice symptoms - not a newly acquired infection.
grace
The 2-20 day part means that in folks who are going to notice the symptoms of a brand spankin' new infection - they will occur within that time period. Most folks don't notice symptoms and/or don't realize what symptoms they do have are due to herpes with a newly acquired infection so oftentimes it's actually just your first obvious recurrence when you do notice symptoms - not a newly acquired infection.
grace
Wow, thanks so much for the quick responses. I did have both a culture and blood test and I definitely have genital herpes. I guess what I'm confused about is the information that states the first outbreak is usually within the first 1 - 21 days of contact with the virus but I guess that information is not correct. I just feel like it is my partner now (well former, we have since ended things not soley based on the herpes diagnosis). I have always had a low immune system due to an eating disorder and I just feel that within 2 weeks of sexual intercourse I have this horrible outbreak seems apparent it was from him. He did have an appt. last Thurs. though so I will be finding out his results. It sounds horrible but I do hope it is him because if not, I can see myself going through my past history and stressing myself out trying to figure who it could have been. And then, do I have to tell my previous ex-boyfriend's from years ago?
Your current partner needs to get himself tested for herpes. Just because your symptoms have just occured now - doesn't mean it HAS to be a newly acquired infection for you. He needs to get tested and see what his status so that the two of you can make educated decisions about what precautions to use in the relationship.
Also how were you diagnosed? did you have a lesion culture and typing or was it just a visual exam and assumed it's hsv2 because it's genital? Knowing which type you really have and your partner has is a part of making the decisions as to how to treat your herpes.
Episodic therapy just helps to heal lesions faster by a few days. For some folks it is the right choice. If transmission of the virus isn't an issue or you aren't having particularly bothersome ob's then definitely it's something to consider.
Suppressive therapy gives you a lot more bang for your buck. If significantly reduces the number of ob's so if you have a job where you just don't have time to wait for an ob to heal or you are particularly bothered by the ob's you do have - either emotionally or physically then it might be the right choice no matter if transmission is an issue or not. If you are in a discordant relationship ( where you have herpes and your partner doesn't ) then it might be the better choice regardless of how often you are having ob's. Like I said - you need to find out for sure what type you have and what type your partner has so you can better make decisions like this.
Lysine is a waste of time and money pretty much. I don't recommend it. The only dose that showed any difference at all in the number of ob's you get each year was the 1000mg 3x/day dose. That's pricey to take and inconvenient to take. We don't have any info at all on whether lysine reduces viral shedding either. We do know that no dose of lysine has been shown to speed the healing of ob's.
grace
Also how were you diagnosed? did you have a lesion culture and typing or was it just a visual exam and assumed it's hsv2 because it's genital? Knowing which type you really have and your partner has is a part of making the decisions as to how to treat your herpes.
Episodic therapy just helps to heal lesions faster by a few days. For some folks it is the right choice. If transmission of the virus isn't an issue or you aren't having particularly bothersome ob's then definitely it's something to consider.
Suppressive therapy gives you a lot more bang for your buck. If significantly reduces the number of ob's so if you have a job where you just don't have time to wait for an ob to heal or you are particularly bothered by the ob's you do have - either emotionally or physically then it might be the right choice no matter if transmission is an issue or not. If you are in a discordant relationship ( where you have herpes and your partner doesn't ) then it might be the better choice regardless of how often you are having ob's. Like I said - you need to find out for sure what type you have and what type your partner has so you can better make decisions like this.
Lysine is a waste of time and money pretty much. I don't recommend it. The only dose that showed any difference at all in the number of ob's you get each year was the 1000mg 3x/day dose. That's pricey to take and inconvenient to take. We don't have any info at all on whether lysine reduces viral shedding either. We do know that no dose of lysine has been shown to speed the healing of ob's.
grace
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L-lysine is definitely NOT a waste of money and is in fact a miracle drug. I was diagnosed with HSV-2 two years ago and have yet to have an outbreak. I also have HSV-1, which has antibodies that make the percentages a lot less likely that you'll catch HSV-2. i'm still not convinced I have it due to NOT one single outbreak (but that's probably denial as 80% of folks don't know unless they are tested) and my boyfriend has NEVER had an OB either. I'm sure he has HSV-1, so that may be why or it may be that we both take 1000 mg of l-lysine per day and everything is fine. I may be in denial but if I do have it, then either my immune system (as well as his is incredible) or L-lysine is a miracle drug. People are very ignorant about HSV-1 and HSV-2. I could definitely do a seminar on it and am not a doctor. I'm open to answering any questions. Oh and BTW...we NEVER use condoms. We use coconut oil everytime during and after intercourse. I also by a defense and anti-viral soap and mix with hot water to clean us both up after intercourse. Never have oral sex either way if you have a cold sore on your lip as HSV-1 can transfer to the genitals. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 antibodies make it less likely you'll catch the other one. Also, woman are much more likely to catch HSV2 form a man than the reverse. Women's bodies make us more susceptible. I could go on but it's definitely not a death sentence; it's just psychological torture worrying that you can give it to your partner. L-lysine, cococunt oil as a lubricant and antif-viral defense soapy water with a wet rage right after intercouse has made this a non-issue for both of us - with the exception of the ignorance and psychological stigma. Best wishes to all! And if you're newly diagnosed, it WILL get better!
How were you diagnosed with herpes? Did the doctor do a culture during an outbreak or did you test positive on a blood test? The reason I ask is because I personally don't trust a doctors opinion vs a proper test. Valtrex daily vs during the on set of outbreaks really depends on the person. Since you have recently begun a sexual relationship you may be interested in daily anti-viral medication since it has proven to reduce the chances of transmission to a partner. This is of course if you do in fact have herpes. Not all infections show signs within 2-20 days so that does not neccesarily mean you have acquired from a new partner. I have seen articles where they claim lysine is a method to prevent the occurences of outbreaks but I have yet to see a scientific study that confirms that. I could be wrong though. You should probably talk to your partner and definetly talk to your doctor to find out how you were diagnosed if you don't already know.
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
