just diagnosed

Good Morning
After much reading  the forums,i decided to join.
I have recently been diagonses with HSV2, my IGG was 4.85.
I got this from oral sex.
My questions:
1.My PC put me on daily Valtex supression,I know it's my choice and my first outbreak was so mild that it looked like small hair follicales,I had no pain, symptoms,blisters only that the did go for about a month on and off,I assume thats why I am on suprressive
Are there any bad side effects with Valtrex?
I have had none so far and no outbreaks since I started taking it, over a  month ago.
2. I have no partner but if I decide to get intimate and stop the Vlatrex,I am afraid of getting an outbreak during sex,can this happen?
3. If i decide I would rather not have any anal or oral at all with someone, just mutual masterbation (masturbation) and or foreplay,what's the chances of transmission assuming one person has no HSV?
4. Does the 4.85 number  mean anything. as opposed to being higher or lower? It was Herpesselect test.
5. What may trigger outbreaks, I have read so much about it that it gets too much after a while.
thank You

[gracefromHHP]

So you never had any genital sex, just oral sex?

grace

[Mat_HPV]

1. Suppressive therapy reduces the number of outbreaks and lowers the risk of transmission. Some of the most commonly reported side effects of Valtrex include headaches, nausea, and abdominal pain. If you have them just talk to your doctor s/he will advice something else.
2. An outbreak doesn't appear just at once, from nowhere during sex. Many of those who have herpes feel an outbreak coming on (burning/itching sensation) and the skin will start to feel hard.
3. The chances of transmission through genital/oral/anal sex are very, very high when when a person has an outbreak, and sex is unprotected.  If there is no sexual contact and no outbreak, the chances of transmission are very very low. Be careful with sex toys. They should be clean/disinfected.
4. I do not know.
5. Triggers: excessive sun and alcohol, hypothermia, hyperthermia, stress, periods(women), skin friction/irritation (where an outbreak usually comes up), flu

If you are single, I'd like to invite you to join www.**************.com dating resource for people with stds including Herpes.

[piscesguy]

Thanks Mat
The thing is i never had any warning symptoms when i had the outbreaks,
I never have any unprotected  anal, i got this from recieving oral .
When you mean excessive sun,does that mean the genital region also?
I dont use sex toys or drink alcohol, but when I had my first outbreak I was under alot of stress.
Thank you for the link but I will not use it
I feel depressed enough with this situation and have no desire to meet or date anyone.
I never had any problems getting a sexual partner , but now I feel that no one will want me and I will never trust anyone when it comes to sex.
If i decide to have sex of course I will protect myself more than ever, but don't expect me to tell, anyone I have this,since no one was considerate to let me know.

[gracefromHHP]

it's not likely you received this from oral sex.   odds are you didn't contract it when you think you did.  hsv2 doesn't shed often from the oral area to be transmitted that way. Just trying to clarify this for other posters and for yourself.  how were you diagnosed? just the blood test?


condoms are not 100% protection either - only about 30-40% reduction in transmission.

I also encourage you to change your decision about not talking to potential partners about your hsv2 infection. 2 wrongs do not make a right as the saying goes. You have no idea if the person you contracted this from was ever tested for herpes to know that they had it let alone if they made a conscious decision not to tell you.  think of the way you are feeling right now while trying to deal with this - do you want to knowingly risk doing that to someone else?  Also don't inform a partner about it and they contract hsv2 from you, they have the right to sue you so it's just not worth it. I encourage you to read up on herpes with the resources we have listed here on the forum and educate yourself on how to talk about it as well as how to reduce transmission to a partner.

most folks do not get warning signs before recurrences. some folks do get a tell tale tingle or itch but many do not. Over time, now that you know you are infected, you might notice prodrome symptoms but you might not.

no, sunlight typically is not a trigger for genital herpes as much as it is oral herpes.  

give yourself some time to deal with this  and don't hesitate to talk to a counselor about how you are feeling too if it doesn't get better in a few weeks.

keep asking questions!

grace

[piscesguy]

thank you grace for your kind words
i am in counseling now and maybe the other person didnt know they had it, but like you said,dealing with it is not easy.
I did have 2 blood tests just to make sure.
I am not blaming anyone ,I am the one who persued this person therefore I have to take the blame and pay the price.
I would like to know though if valtrex has any long term effects and do the numbers on tests mean anything at all? Ex igg 4.85,,,which is what i had

[gracefromHHP]

the numbers just mean you are positive. how long after the symptoms appeared did you have the blood test done?

no long term effects to valtrex use.

grace

[piscesguy]

i was tested a few weeks at first,then i waited 4 months just to be sure

[gracefromHHP]

if it was a few weeks later you were tested, no way to know if it's a new infection or not. Odds are though that you had this prior to oral sex and just never realized it until you got obvious symptoms to make you go and get tested.

grace

[piscesguy]

my first test was negative,,,i went right after my intial symptoms  ,   so after reading about herpes,,,i realized it took a few months to develop antibodies...i didnt even know what herpes was until my initial outbreak,when i began to research my symptoms online before i saw the doctor,,and ,and anal sex i had was always protected and with someone i was involved with
i was watching a show that says lysine is good antiherpes food,,any truth in that?

[kaoticblue87]

I am just curious but want to know. Did you have oral with another male? I am assuming since you mention anal and mutual masturbation. Did you happen to ask the other person if they had HSV 2 orally or if they had it genitally? I'm assuming too that if they did not have it orally but they did genitally that while you were mutually masturbating, again assuming that it is a male and that you had both of your penises together, could have caught it that way or if they were shedding or had an outbreak at the time. Did you give them oral too? Any symptoms of you having this orally?

[gracefromHHP]

condoms are not 100% protection against herpes transmission. How long prior to your first blood test had it been since you had had any sort of sex other than oral?

grace

[piscesguy]

i havent had any sex atl since i knew about this..i feel that i doubt anyonw is going to want me and i have no trust in anyone either...why risk catching something worse,,,
i just recently had a full STD panel and everything else was NEG
maybe the person who gave me this will hopefully suffer a long death or illness

[gracefromHHP]

odds are whoever did give this to you, had no idea they had it.  

how long before you found out you had hsv2 had it been since you had had any sex other than oral?

grace

[piscesguy]

it had been 2 years since the time i was diagnosed that i had any other type of sex,,it was anal and proteced ,,and it was with one person whom i was with for  2 years.....so i havent had any other type of sex since 2007.....i have a;ways been very worried about HIV...so unless i know someone's status ,,,i wont do any anal,,,,and i am the top

[gracefromHHP]

well you certainly are the exception to the norm if you contracted hsv2 from oral sex. in theory it can happen but the odds of it happening are astronomically low.

and no, lysine doesn't really help much at all with genital herpes.

it's unfortunate that they didn't do a lesion culture on your genital symptoms when you had them too. would've been helpful.

grace

[piscesguy]

that's what i have reading about hsv2 and oral,,,would body contact transmit it also...?
i am just try to rule out any other possibliities,,since i been reading up on hsv2 oral i notice it doesnt shed very often.
what are the possibilities of hand to genital transmission ..i.e. mutual masturbation?

[gracefromHHP]

you can contract genital herpes from just naked outercourse aka dry humping. anytime there is direct skin on skin contact as in genitals on genitals, there is a risk.

mutual masturbation isn't a risk.

if you get a return of your symptoms, be seen within 48 hours of their appearance for a lesion culture and typing just to confirm.

did you also test hsv1+?

grace

[piscesguy]

yes,,,i been tested for hsv1 and it was negative..
i was also wondering is generic valtrex the same as nongeneric?
i have insurance so thats no issue
what would be lesion  culture tell?

[gracefromHHP]

even though your hsv2 igg is over the typical false positive range, if you are negative for hsv1, having such a mild initial ob would be unusual ( guess there's a theme going here for you eh? ). Usually if you are hsv1 negative you have a very classic ob initially.  The lesion culture would've confirmed that indeed your symptoms were herpes.

yes, generic and name brand valtrex have the same active ingredients in them.  

grace

[piscesguy]

my primary outbreak had no blisters from what i saw...just swelling and what looked like an open cut..but when i saw the doc,,it was going on 3 days,,,and he never even mentioned culture lesion,,,just the blood test
he put me on valtrex 2x  a day for 7 days...i was ok for 4 months and decided to get retested because i noticed small pimple like spots on the penis...and  after reading tons of things on herpes..i couldnt even tell whether it was or not..since there were no blisters or pain or anything that gave me warniing signs'
i did test pos..the only visual signs i had were small "bumps" which i though were dermatitus,,and that when on and off for a month,,,so my PC decided to put me on suppressive,,which is where i stand today
my outbreaks were nothing like what i have read or pictures that i seen online.
even my doctors are kind of puzzled

[gracefromHHP]

are you still having that rash of pimple like spots?

how long have you been on suppressive therapy?

grace

[piscesguy]

i been on suppressive since jan 15..to be exact
and have not had any visible spots or rashes since...
my dermatologist examined me and found nothing,,and that was last week...he did tell me it was  my choice  if i wanted to be on suprressive,,
it was my PC who put me on it

[gracefromHHP]

ok...just wanted to make sure you didn't still have that rash lingering around.

Not sure I"ve been of much help to you at all but if you have more questions, just ask them :)

grace

[piscesguy]

anytime time you answer my questions it's always a help
i was curiuos,,i like to swim and be out in the sun once summer arrives,,,does sunlight affect  hsv2 genital, i also like to vacation where they have  nude beach..would that be a problem?
i rather ask my questions here than go searching a million online articles /.
thanks

[gracefromHHP]

usually sunlight isn't an issue with genital herpes like it is with oral herpes. If you find that having your fun in the sun nekkid is an issue for you, just up your valtrex to 2x/day whenever you are on vacations with nude beaches :)  

Just for peace of mind, I'd consider stopping suppressive therapy for a month and getting a herpes WB just to confirm your status. Should you get a return of symptoms during that month, be seen promptly for a lesion culture and typing just to confirm your status.  

grace

[piscesguy]

i was thinking of stopping the suppressive to see what happens,,but i have a  fear that if i am being intimate with someoone and get an out break during that moment,
and if my blood work came pos....woudn;t a lesion culture be pos as well?

[piscesguy]

to kaoticblue87;;;;yea it was another male....and no i did not give him oral,,,and yes i did ask him how his sts status was and he said he was disease free...of course me being stupid i believed it....

[piscesguy]

i was thinking of stopping the suppressive to see what happens,,but i have a  fear that if i am being intimate with someoone and get an out break during that moment,
and if my blood work came pos....woudn;t a lesion culture be pos as well?

[gracefromHHP]

if you are concerned, avoid sex for a month. I've heard it won't kill you and even tried it a few too many times myself...he he he  

if you get the + lesion culture, then you know for sure your blood test was accurate.

grace

[piscesguy]

so let me ask you..if i am on daily suppressive,,and i am with someone and i avoid any oral or anal sex,,,just foreplay,,,how much is that a  risk?

[gracefromHHP]

hardly any risk at all.

I'd stop suppressives for a month and confirm your status though .

grace

[piscesguy]

i stopped the suppressive monday and i'll see what happens,...i still have a full bottle of valtrex home
my questions are:
1.under suprrssive therapy,.,,how much of the shedding is reduced as opposed when you are not on it?
2. under suppressive,how much do the reduce outbreak?

[gracefromHHP]

should you notice any genital symptoms, be seen within 48 hours for a lesion culture and typing.

suppressive therapy reduces shedding by 80-90% and ob's by 70% on average.

grace

[piscesguy]

this morning i just noticed the beginning of an outbreak on the foreskin of my penis,,,,is it worth it for me to get  a lesion when my 2 blood tests came back pos?
i have been off suppressive for a week and now i am getting small redish bunps again.
will these outbreaks decrease over time?
i don;t know what triggered it,,the ony thing i can say is i am rundown from work and have a slight cold or sinus infection
i think i do have  a slight tingle in my  left foot,,is that a  synptom?
i just noticed it this morning when i went to the bathroom...i did not noticed any prodrome symptoms prior.

[gracefromHHP]

just because you have herpes, doesn't mean that everything that goes on in the genital area is due to it. Be seen monday for a lesion culture to confirm that these symptoms are due to herpes to confirm.

grace

[piscesguy]

i took a valtex today,,would that have any affect on the culture?

[gracefromHHP]

yes it could. no use getting a lesion culture now if you already took valtrex. you needed the culture done before you started any treatment.

grace

[piscesguy]

ok...i made  a hasty decision,,,,i just hated to see that on my body thats why i took the med

[gracefromHHP]

gotta wait now until the next one for a culture. don't start the antivirals until after the lesion culture is done.

grace

[piscesguy]

i did see my doc yesterday  & he said he does't do lesion cultures because his office or the hospital does not have the proper  facilities to do it.
so he told me to stay on suppressive for a year and gave me the results of my test from last jan 2010
igg 3.72 hsv2
igg >.90 hsv1
i wont even give you the igm because i know it's useless
i have had 3 different blood tests with different results...amazing how doctors are not caught up in std tests.
i do have a few questionsZ:
1. my outbreaks seem always to be on my right side of the penis,,,tip of the foreskin, starts out with slight redness and whar looks like small bumps..is it "normal" to have an inflammed or swelled appearnce?
2. does  herpes create any kind of odor?
i am asking because when i retracted  the skin to see the outbreak,,there was a slight odor and i know it can't  be me  since i take 3 showers and clean the genitals thoroughly

[gracefromHHP]

you need a different provider from the sounds of things.  Unless you are in a hospital that doesn't have a lab, they can do viral cultures of lesions.  they also can send out swabs for pcr herpes lesion cultures too.

no it's not normal to have as much swelling as you are having.

no, an odor isn't due to herpes.

grace

[piscesguy]

i saw a video on youtube stating one can catch herpes  from shaking hands and towels,,,any truth to that?

[gracefromHHP]

absolutely not!

grace

[piscesguy]

does hsv 2 compromise one's immune system such as having cancer or aids?

[gracefromHHP]

no it does not.

[piscesguy]

does a person's body produce a resistance towards valtrex over the course of the years?

[gracefromHHP]

not typically. in 25 years of herpes antiviral use, the rates of resistance ( tk deletion ) are still less than 1% in otherwise healthy folks.

grace

[piscesguy]

is herpes  secreted in fluids such as:
1. semen
2. precum
3. saliva
4. tears

[piscesguy]

s herpes  secreted in fluids such as:
1. semen
2. precum
3. saliva
4. tears

[piscesguy]

is herpes  secreted in fluids such as:
1. semen
2. precum
3. saliva
4. tears

[petal130]

Herpes Handbook:

http://www.westoverheights.com/genital_herpes/handbook.html

[piscesguy]

i am not going to read an entire book to depress me even more...thanks anyway
maybe they should print a book on getting retribution on the person who gave me this

[2terrified]

I know how you feel because the same thing happened to me. But you are being a bit closed minded about the fact that the person you got this from did not know they have it.  Some people really do not know until they test positive. It does not mean they were promiscuous.  You got it and you are very selective from what you have said.  So, please, try to be more positive about it.  Talking about it negatively and harboring anger over this person is not helping you at all.

[piscesguy]

well i won't just forgive and forget a person who ruined my life giving me this disgusting virus,
there is no excuse for people saying they never knew they had it,there are plenty of doctors and clinics where one can get periodic testing,,but people don;t care as long as they get sex.
i have all intentions of protecting myself from anything else, but as far as am i concerned of giving it to someone else,,,then no, since no one cared enough to think about me.
i joined this forum  to seek answers, not to be preached,,sorry if i seem so insensitive

[ogdel314]

I am new here, but I can tell you this.  My wife and I have been together for 11 years.  Her outbreaks are on her butt and very mild.  Her first was 3 years after we had been together and 2 years after we were married.  She just found out that she had hsv2 because she was just tested.  I went and got tested and was negative- even after 11 years.  Chances are your partner did not know they had this.  My wife (soon to be ex and not because of this) is going thru the same thing mentally that you are.  She doesn't think anybody will ever want her again.  When she told me, and before I got tested, I was in the same mental state as well.  If we could stay together, I would still be with her.  I wouldn't care that she has this.  This (hsv2) is not that bad.  The biggest thing is the name "HERPES" because its scary and having to tell a potential sexual partner that you have it.  Again, chances are that your partner did not know they had it.  Many people show NO signs at all and don't know.  So, is it really fair to somebody you want to be with to withhold that information.  I have read your posts and you seem like a pretty upstanding rational person.  I am just hoping it is the anger talking right now.  

[piscesguy]

i am sorry about you and your wife,but i stand by what i said,
and when people and doctors say this is no bog deal or not the end of the world,,i would like to see how they would react if it happened to them
and as far as not having symptoms and people  not being tested,that's no excuse. i never had any symptoms of hiv and i got tested just to make  sure everything was ok.
living with  disgusting thing in my body has made me never trust anyone again when it comes to sex

[piscesguy]

can one still get outbreaks during suppresive therapy?
i ask because i noticed a small bump/pimple on my penis...i have no idea if its a pimple or outbreak

[piscesguy]

can one still get outbreaks during suppresive therapy?
i ask because i noticed a small bump/pimple on my penis...i have no idea if its a pimple or outbreak
my next question ,,,,do certain foods trigger outbreaks?