How do I know if I have an outbreak

[mystupidex]

I'm taking Valtrex 1 mg per day.  Is there some sort of home test you can do to see if you have an outbreak.  Aside from seeing a cluster or a lesion how can I tell if I have an outbreak?  Is there anyway to know if there is one internally?  As far as I know I haven't had any outbreaks although I do get some tingling and I've been putting denavir on areas that I know can turn into an outbreak.  

[Jayneedshelp]

OK i dont know if i have herpes i have to the Dr for my checks but herpes has never came back positive BUT right now as i speak i have ONE bump in my area now when you have a herpe outbreak is it JUST ONE for multiple blisters and then what i have isnt a blister its just an itchy spot and i ALWAYS get that same itchy bump in the same AREA

[mystupidex]

Can you tell me if Valtrex or Lysine are known to cause yeast?  Also, do antibiotics make Valtrex ineffective like they do with the birth control pill?  Can an occassional tingle mean the virus is starting to be active?  Do you have any information on how on often shedding may occur with Valtrex for suppressive therapy.  Last thing for today, what is the best way to treat those little cuts or make your skin more elastic and less likely to develop the cuts.  It seems like I get those little tears frequently after having intercourse.  I only see my partner every couple of weeks and we typically sleep together just a couple of times every other week.   We probably will a little more in Vegas.  Any suggestions on things I can do to prevent an outbreak from starting?

Is there a chance that since my ex-husband just had a recurring lesion on his lip that maybe he just gave me HSV1 on my pelvis area.  As far as I know it's the only place I've ever noticed a lesion except for my lip.  I never had the blood test.  My doctor just cultured the spot when I was pregnant.  


Thanks so much!  You are a life saver.  I drive myself absolutely crazy with this.  It really consumes most of my thoughts.    

[gracefromHHP]

Unless you have obvious symptoms ,no way to know if the virus is active or not.

Yeast infections are reknown for causing skin issues in the genital area. I'd suspect that your skin issues currently in the genital area are due to the yeast but I'd still avoid sex until everything is back to normal down yonder especially if your partner is hsv2-.

Your ear issue doesn't sound like herpes. If you haven't already followed up on it with your doctor then doing so the next time it reoccurs should give you better answers.

When you think you might be having a herpes recurrence, up your valtrex to 500mg 2x/day for 3 days to help speed healing. If you can't easily break the 1gm tablets you have, just take 1gm 2x/day for 3 - that's fine too.

grace

[mystupidex]

Can you please tell me how I will know if an the virus is "awake" or likely to be shedding?  What sypmtoms should I look for even while on my the Valtrex 1 mg/day?  Do antibiotics cause Valtrex to be ineffective.  I think I may be having an outbreak now but do not see any visible signs of blisters.  A couple of weird things have happened though.  I started taking antibiotics for a sore throat 10 days ago and I think it turned into a yeast infection.  Now I just checked and I have what appear to be little cuts along my vaginal wall opening.  There are also a couple near my bottom.  Could this be from yeast or an outbreak?  Next for a couple of years or on the bottom of my right ear at the part where my ear joins my head I'll get an occassional hard bump like it swells.  I've always thought it was some sort of gland that I make swell up by touching it (nervous habit).  A couple of times I have popped it and white puss came out.  I think I've manipulated it in the past and also caused it to break open and have clear liquid and/or blood come out.  About a week ago it swelled up and I messed with it and it eventually popped. For the first time yesterday I noticed that it seemed to get a yellow flaky scab on it.  It's flaked off now and I notice there are what appears to be 3 tiny pin size cuts on it.  Could this be a herpe lesion?  Of course I feel like its been itching all day and feels warm.    Also would it be a symptom if sometimes I feel like the bottom of my back and/or top of my neck feels like they are burning.  I only seem to notice this at night when I lay down.  I feel like I'm on the verge of depression right now and so completely paranoid.  I've talked with a therapist for about 4 months last year, mostly about my divorce.  I really can't afford to go back.  My ex quit paying child support about 5 months ago.      
Also, I swear the inside of my ear is itching now.  I had my little girl look in there and she said it looks like there are a few red freckles in there.  I had my hair colored last week and maybe its irritated from that.  But what would the chances be that if could be some sort of herpe flare up.  What should I do.  I remember the inside of my ear itching last week.  The two usual spots that flare up seem to be fine.  I thought the on my pubic bone tingled last night so I put a topical ointment on it that I purchased online.  

[mystupidex]

Also, I swear the inside of my ear is itching now.  I had my little girl look in there and she said it looks like there are a few red freckles in there.  I had my hair colored last week and maybe its irritated from that.  But what would the chances be that if could be some sort of herpe flare up.  What should I do.  I remember the inside of my ear itching last week.  The two usual spots that flare up seem to be fine.  I thought the on my pubic bone tingled last night so I put a topical ointment on it that I purchased online.  

[mystupidex]

Can you please tell me how I will know if an the virus is "awake" or likely to be shedding?  What sypmtoms should I look for even while on my the Valtrex 1 mg/day?  Do antibiotics cause Valtrex to be ineffective.  I think I may be having an outbreak now but do not see any visible signs of blisters.  A couple of weird things have happened though.  I started taking antibiotics for a sore throat 10 days ago and I think it turned into a yeast infection.  Now I just checked and I have what appear to be little cuts along my vaginal wall opening.  There are also a couple near my bottom.  Could this be from yeast or an outbreak?  Next for a couple of years or on the bottom of my right ear at the part where my ear joins my head I'll get an occassional hard bump like it swells.  I've always thought it was some sort of gland that I make swell up by touching it (nervous habit).  A couple of times I have popped it and white puss came out.  I think I've manipulated it in the past and also caused it to break open and have clear liquid and/or blood come out.  About a week ago it swelled up and I messed with it and it eventually popped. For the first time yesterday I noticed that it seemed to get a yellow flaky scab on it.  It's flaked off now and I notice there are what appears to be 3 tiny pin size cuts on it.  Could this be a herpe lesion?  Of course I feel like its been itching all day and feels warm.    Also would it be a symptom if sometimes I feel like the bottom of my back and/or top of my neck feels like they are burning.  I only seem to notice this at night when I lay down.  I feel like I'm on the verge of depression right now and so completely paranoid.  I've talked with a therapist for about 4 months last year, mostly about my divorce.  I really can't afford to go back.  My ex quit paying child support about 5 months ago.      

[gracefromHHP]

Just keep asking questions as you have them and hopefully we can help you :)

Terri's book that I recommended buying is awesome too as is a book by Charles Ebel and anna Wald called living and loving with herpes.  

grace

[mystupidex]

I did read the handbook and still looking to learn more.  

[gracefromHHP]

Have you considered talking to a professional about this if it's been 6 years and you still aren't coping all that well with it all?  

Lysine doesn't really do much at all for herpes. No reason to take it on top of daily suppressive therapy with valtrex. Most of us already get more than enough lysine naturally in our diets anyways.

The denavir is only for oral herpes. It really doesn't do much for genital herpes.  

No need to change your valtrex dose for the trip - you are already taking the highest suppressive dose.

Hav eyou read the herpes handbook yet at www.westoverheights.com? It's written by Terri warren, our herpes expert here on medhelp. She also has a new book you can buy in stores and online - the good news about the bad news. It's under $15.

grace

[mystupidex]

Thank you so much for getting back to me.  I'm taking it for genital.  I got this from my ex-husband several years ago.  It was finally diagnosed when I was pregnant with my first daughter who is almost 6.  What else can I do to prevent outbreaks.  I'm so very paranoid about this and feel like I'm broken and unable to enter into a healthy relationship.  It really stresses me out.  I have a spot on my upper lip that always seems to be at risk and another on my genitals that sometimes tingles.  I'm also taking lysine, avoid aspartame and several vitamins to keep my immune system up.  When I was married I had very few outbreaks and only think I noticed one small lesion last year.  What can I put on my lip to try and kill the virus there?  I have denavir.  Also, I'm going on a trip with a friend in a few weeks.  Now we see eachother every other weekend for one or 2 nights.  Should I increase the Valtrex or Lysine before my trip to lessen any chance of a flare up?  

[gracefromHHP]

Unless you have an obvious lesion, no way to know if the virus is active or not.  REcurrences should be few and far between while on suppressive therapy.

Are you taking valtrex for oral herpes or genital herpes?

grace