Genital Herpes: Useful info for those looking for answers like me!

Hi FelisCatus, My first gh symtoms started mid January and I have been taking Valtrex and Vaclovir on and off since.  My symptoms doesn't go away may be sometimes 2 days then back on again.  I get bad headache, abdo pain and vulva pain & inflammation every single day and blisters on and off as well.  My body still hasn't made antibodies to fight the virus.  I am 64 and always have been very healthy until I got this nasty virus from my ex-partner in mid Nov'14.  I don't like taking tablets all the time but have no choice.  For long-term suppressive therapy, what dosage do you recommend I take for Vaclovir(valacyclovir). If I take any less than 500mg a day, it doesn't seem to work for me so I have been taking 2 by 500mg and even then I get blisters and bad pains.  My diet is pretty good and I weigh only 45 kilos. The virus/meds has affected my hair, skin & nails not to mention the emotional and psychological effects, although I am not stressing as much now.  Any help would be appreciated as I feel the doctors are sick of me.

I'm so sorry to hear about your persistent problems! Yes, GH is definitely a nasty virus, and unfortunately more so for some.

For 10+ outbreaks per year, or continued bad recurrent outbreaks, a daily dosage of 1000mg (2 x 500mg) valacyclivor is the recommendation I've seen.

Continue to maintain a healthy and balanced diet, and especially whilst on the antivirals, drink lots of water/fluids. Perhaps you could try various herbal teas. You can also try a lysine supplement, although studies are not conclusive as to its benefit in the case of GH. Probiotics specifically for women/vaginal health may prove helpful.

For topical relief, try soaking in a bath or tub of Epsom salts, but don't underdo it. Personally, I love the cool, soothing relief provided by *diluted* tea tree oil, which is also antiseptic. Zinc oxide may help lesions dry and heal faster.

Hope this helps!

Thanks very much FelisCatus,  yes I do take probiotics and follow sort of lysine diet.

I get lot of abdo/pelvis pain, headaches and vulva pain everyday, it's like the virus keeps on multiplying, is very aggressive in my body.  I get blisters on and off but other symptoms everyday.  Have been taking Vaclovir almost everyday for few months.  My antibodies are still negetive.

Is there anyone out there with my symptoms?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks again.

By saying 'taking the suppressive therapy daily', does that mean everyday even after the outbreak or sores are gone, to lessen the transmission chance? So need to be all my life? Am I correct?

Yes, suppressive therapy is every day, outbreak or not. Usually only for genital HSV-2 if recurrent outbreaks are numerous or if trying to protect an uninfected partner. If no discordant relationship, it's not usually recommended for the first few months to a year in order to see what your outbreak frequency is like first. Can be taken daily for years without any issues.

Episodic therapy is only treatment for each outbreak as they occur, then you go off the meds. You need to start as soon as symptoms are noticed for only 3-5 days.

I know this post is old , but you said you get inflammation, where do you get inflammation at ?

I have hsv 1 and 2 ,the only reason I knew I had anything was from my partner / wife breaking out with hsv 2 . I want know if she can get hsv1 even if I don't show any symptoms . We also have a child of 5 yrs worried about him so much .this virus has changed my life completely it's hard to stay strong ,but need to for my fam.I just need someone to guide me.

I show no signs of hsv 1 or 2 but my partner only shows signs of 2 .can she get break out with hsv 1 even if I don't ever break out . We kiss all the time I'm afraid she will have breakout soon.

Sorry to hear about your situation. Do you never get a bump or pimple in your genital area at all? Usually there are symptoms, even amongst asymptomatic carriers, just not recognised symptoms. Only around 10% of carriers are truly asymptomatic.

Anyway, regarding your questions, did your wife test for HSV-1 IgG antibodies to see if she already carries it? She might already have it and be asymptomatic like you (common for Type 1). If not, once her HSV-2 becomes established (after 3-4 months of antibody production), she should no longer be able to contract HSV-1, as HSV-2 provides immunity (but not vice versa).

So famciclovir is not effective to prevent transmission ??? 

& lessen outbreaks ???

It is effective, but it is not approved for daily usage beyond a year and is the newest, most expensive, least common of the three options, probably for these reasons.

Another medicinal herb for both oral and genital herpes is the flowering plant Prunella vulgaris, also known as "self-heal". Noted for its apparent antiviral properties, P. vulgaris is used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has shown promise against HSV in lab studies. It can be used topically or consumed as a tea. Certainly worth a try!

http://www.m.webmd.com/genital-herpes/news/20030519/herb-may-be-alternative-herpes-treatment

Hello,

Two days after unprotected sex I developed a discoloured, shiny foreskin and penis head and was bleeding from four distinct points under my foreskin. I attributed it to poor hygiene coupled with friction. I showered and repeatedly used tea tree oil in an effort to restore proper hygiene. All my symptoms went away in 2-3 days. However, I had no idea of tea tree oils ability to combat herpes. There is no blood test available where I live so I was just wondering if tea tree oil could reduce a primary outbreak by so many days, if this was even HSV2 

Pity you didn't get it swabbed, as that's actually better than the blood test, and I'm sure they can do swabs in Canada (saw your original post). Having said that, it's hard to say what you had. Herpes doesn't usually bleed and often presents with blisters/ulcers on the penis. Your symptoms were pretty quick for a first outbreak as well, but not necessarily for a subsequent one. Tea tree oil never sped up healing for me, but then everyone's different. I'm guessing it probably wasn't herpes, but that's strictly a guess. Next time you plan a trip across the border, schedule an IgG test for herpes (not IgM).

Thanks for the input,

ya i really regret not getting a swab while there was blood seeping from my foreskin. I was ignorant and assumed that since it wasn't a blister I had nothing to worry about. A couple days later when I started to get really paranoid there was nothing to swab. Definitely will be more responsible from here on out

This is actually so much better than google, thank you so much. I'm a few days after what I think was the end of my first outbreak, however, it's still a little swollen and itchy down there- is this normal?

Yes, it can a take a little bit longer for the swelling to go down, and itching is fairly common before and/or after an outbreak (during healing). Diluted tea tree oil locally applied can minimise itching, if it's bothering you too much, otherwise just leave it alone.

Another good soothing remedy is magnesium milk, on the blisters. It will dry the area making healing faster

I have been using New Zealand Manuka Honey, and when I feel a genital herpes outbreak I cover the outbreak with a layer of Manuka Honey, this becomes absorbed by the skin within an hour. Usually my undies get a bit sticky, but not much, and it washed off easily. I find it eases the pain and sort of makes the skin more healthy. It seems to heal quicker too. I only know of one study and it was quite a limited number so is still anecdotal as to whether manuka honey helps. In my opinion it is likely that high strength activity Manuka Honey helps, considering there is a lot of science that shows it speeds healing for burn victims and affects other viruses. I also mix CBD in with the honey, while I am not exactly sure how much CBD helps, there seems to be a lot of studies on it, it certainly does not seem to do any harm. More than happy to direct people to the sources that supply these products, private message me if you want too. All the best , Danny