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

HSV-1 is not typically associated with a greater risk of acquiring HIV, unless genital lesions are present and exposed to HIV.

HSV-2, however, IS associated with a double/triple risk of acquiring HIV. This applies to BOTH men and women, and does NOT require the presence of visible lesions.

Lesions may be microscopic/asymptomatic, besides which those with HSV-2 have increased CD4 cells at or near the skin's surface (even when lesions have fully healed), which is what HIV targets. As a result, HSV antiviral meds resulting in reduced or no outbreaks make NO difference to this increased risk for HIV.

While this may be very alarming to those with HSV-2, bear in mind that this increased risk only applies if you engage in risky behaviour with a person with HIV.

A person with both HSV-2 and HIV is also at greater risk of transmitting HIV (and most likely HSV-2).

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16327322

Q&A - http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV---Prevention/Asymptomatic-Herpes-and-increased-HIV-Risk/show/1574884

Summary of past studies - http://mobile.aidsmap.com/Herpes-and-HIV-acquisition/page/1746727

Both types of genital herpes virus do not survive for long outside of the body and are readily destroyed by soap and water.

As a result, the risk of transmission via shared towels, clothing, toilet seats and the like is minimal to none (unless you immediately share a damp towel that has been exposed to the virus, then a slight possibility exists).

Swimming/bathing in open bodies of water like the sea and in chlorinated or soapy water (e.g., swimming pools, baths) is also not a transmission route for genital herpes, although I would personally most likely avoid it during an active outbreak, but that's just me!

HSV does not reside in the blood stream (only antibodies), so exposure to blood from cuts and wounds is not contagious. HSV carriers are also fine to donate blood, although it may be advisable to avoid this during a primary outbreak (recurrent outbreaks are okay).

The main thing is to avoid touching lesions, or if you do, to immediately wash your hands with soap and water before touching anything else, including other parts of your body to avoid autoinnoculation (especially during a primary outbreak and until enough antibodies have been established in your body, which is typically 3-6 months).

Inanimate objects - http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/herpes-transmission-sharing-soap

Donating blood - http://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/infected-herpes-%E2%80%94-can-i-donate-blood

Menstruation MAY be a trigger for outbreaks in some women, since the hormonal changes during a woman's menstrual cycle can alter the immune system. For the same reason, peri/menopause MAY worsen genital herpes outbreaks in some women. However, there seem to be few studies available regarding this, which is both surprising and frustrating!

While menstruation may have an effect on outbreaks, the reverse is not true. Genital herpes and outbreaks do NOT affect menstruation, so if you notice any significant changes in your menstruation, you should seek medical advice. During menstruation, it is okay to use tampons or pads - whichever you feel more comfortable with.

http://www.healthcentral.com/genital-herpes/c/86/16378/herpes-cycle

Genital herpes, in particular HSV-2, is associated with a reduction in the number of hydrogen peroxide-producing lactobacillus in the vaginal tract (most notably l. crispatus and l. jensenii), which are known to keep BV at bay. As a result, some women find that they suffer from BV in addition to genital herpes (talk about adding insult to injury!).

In studies, a probiotic vaginal suppository has been shown to restore a healthy and balanced vaginal flora, but there appear to be few such products available in the market, and I could find none containing the two lactobacillus mentioned above! Oral probiotics may offer some help, however, although vaginal suppositories are thought to be more effective.

Many women also seem to get yeast infections with genital herpes. Oddly enough, I could not find any research to support this, but if genital herpes can sufficiently upset the normal vaginal flora to cause BV, it makes sense that yeast infections may also arise.

If vaginal suppositories like Monistat are too painful to insert or irritating, oral medication like Diflucan can be taken instead. Personally, I would rather take systemic oral medication than localised treatment in an already sensitive and compromised body area! As for topical treatments to prevent external itchiness, steroidal creams/ointments should be avoided, as these are immunosupressants, so no hydrocortisone!

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17989585

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2659027/

Unfortunately, no.

However, there are a handful of promising studies currently underway in both the US and Australia that are looking to develop a therapeutic vaccine for those already carrying HSV-2 (but not HSV-1, I'm afraid). The goal is to reduce outbreaks and asymptomatic shedding (not to eliminate HSV-2), with a preventative vaccine as the next step.

While promising, these studies are still in the clinical study phase, so sadly it will be some years before they will be made available to the general public, assuming they are successful and pass all of the necessary human trials and other requirements/approvals, etc.

http://medcitynews.com/2014/10/race-tight-genital-herpes-vaccine-agenus-genocea-announce-positive-data/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes_simplex_research