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

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FelizCastus
FelizCastus

Ever since I suspected genital herpes (GH) and was recently confirmed to be going through a primary outbreak of HSV-2 (ugh, the "bad" one), I have been researching the topic like crazy! Guess that's a pretty normal thing to do, lol, and I'm sure many others here have done the same.

Anyway, I thought it would be helpful to share everything that I have learnt thus far, and I will continue to add to this thread as I come across more useful, interesting and/or relevant info.

Genital HSV symptoms https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1776485

Testing for HSV https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1776488

Does having one HSV type protect you against the other? https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1776489

Autoinnoculation (self-contagion to other areas) https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1776492

When is genital HSV most contagious? https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1776494

Genital HSV transmission risk https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1776497

Antiviral meds for genital HSV https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1776501

Natural treatments for genital HSV https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1776503

Genital HSV and increased risk of HIV https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1776505

Transmission risk via inanimate objects, swimming and blood https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1778698

Genital herpes and menstruation https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1778703

Genital herpes and BV and yeast infections https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1778708

Is there a vaccine for HSV-1/2? https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1778714

Possible complications of genital herpes https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1782789

88 likes, 535 replies

535 Replies

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  • shanite98169
    shanite98169 FelizCastus

    Posted

    I've then had a lot of blood test done and taken due to fibroids I even had an blood transfusion throughout all this would herpes have been detected?
    • louise123456
      louise123456 FelizCastus

      Posted

      FelisCatus, I get that you can make steps to minimise outbreaks (being healthy etc) but can you minimise shedding? Shedding occurs quite regularly with type 2 from what I've learned so it's not like it's just before or after an OB, if it were then you could say less OB's = less shedding... But is there any correlation between shedding and OB's or anything you can do to lower the days shedding?
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus louise123456

      Posted

      Shedding is worst with outbreaks, so keeping outbreaks at bay helps overall. However, you're right in that genital Type 2 still sheds at infectious levels, at random, during other times. The average is something like 25% of days for genital Type 2, and worse for new infections (first few months to a year). It is further believed that shedding is even more frequent than this, but not always at detectable and/or transmissible levels. Unfortunately, the only tried and tested way to reduce shedding (for new or established infections) is daily suppressive therapy with valacyclovir or acyclovir at the recommended dosages.
    • louise123456
      louise123456 FelizCastus

      Posted

      Thanks FelisCatus, the suppressive route isn't an option here so it would just be condoms I guess. Not that there's any chance of action any time soon! 😂
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus louise123456

      Posted

      You can't get the meds for suppressive therapy where you are? Worst case scenario med-wise, you can order online. Acyclovir is much cheaper of the two. Dosage for suppressive therapy is 400 mg x 2 daily. But otherwise, good condoms with full coverage, and no sex during symptoms or anything suspect. If you're feeling ill with something else entirely, note that illness may increase shedding.
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus

      Posted

      P.S. So long as I'm not in a relationship (and I don't think there'll be one for me anytime remotely soon either!), I'm not going to take the meds. Saving that for discordant relationships only.
    • louise123456
      louise123456 FelizCastus

      Posted

      That's correct, for whatever reason in Ireland they don't prescribe suppresive therapy unless you have at least 7 OB's a year... clearly not all that bothered trying to minimise the spread of it! The other side of that is that it would cost me almost €2,000 / $2300 for a years worth of Valtrex anyway. I actually got passed the virus while using condoms so I'm about all out of faith in them, lol!
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus louise123456

      Posted

      Look into acyclovir instead. Seriously much cheaper. Many condoms seem too short or have a tendency to roll down. They should make them longer, imo. When I'm ready again, regardless of a guy's HSV-2 status (I don't want to pass anything on, nor do I want to acquire anything else!), I'm going to search for super long condoms, lol. All-in-one condom briefs would be even better! :p
  • teresa5801
    teresa5801 FelizCastus

    Posted

    Diagnosed with HSV 1 genitally about a month ago and I'm experiencing my second (pretty severe) outbreak. Any chance I'm doing something wrong, as that seems to be pretty quick to get another one. (currently on period which I've heard can affect it, and I also enjoy a very active/rough sex life with my boyfriend).
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus teresa5801

      Posted

      gHSV-1 shouldn't recur too often, barely at all, in fact, but things can be more sensitive and prone to outbreaks at first as your body adjusts. Sex can trigger it (minimise friction; use lube), menstruation as well for some women. After the first 3-4 months, I suspect it will settle down (you'll have full antibodies by then). In the meantime, don't push yourself too hard (down there) after having your first outbreak only a month ago and now this second nastier one.
  • kaitlyn92717
    kaitlyn92717 FelizCastus

    Posted

    Hello FelisCatus, about three days ago I saw small bumps around the area where your vagina connects to your anus. I didn't think much of it for that I had shaved a few days earlier. I was experiencing pain while having sex with my boyfriend of a year so I thought it was the beginning of a yeast infection because that is what had happened to me last time. I felt the bumps about two days after I shaved and continuously touched them. Not because of any pain, but just because I was curious. As days went by I started getting sick and went to the doctor and was given amoxicillin because I had gotten diagnosed with strep throat. That was on a Thursday. I also asked for my dr to check out the bumps on my vagina and she also tested them. It is now 10pm on Saturday and the results should either come back Monday or Tuesday. But I am mom stop crying about it because I feel like I 100% have herpes which I do not want. The bumps looked like they had hairs in them yesterday when looking at them. But tonight some have popped and they're green and or bloody. They're very painful. They don't look anything like herpes for that they're not close together or touching at all like most pictures show. They weren't ever white looking, they always had a yellowish green color and looked like a pimple. But there are about 10 of them which concerns me. I shave in every direction when I shave down there but I'm almost convinced I have herpes. But I am extremely upset can you please help
    • kaitlyn92717
      kaitlyn92717

      Posted

      I also have had gross yellow white discharge that has a distinct smell. Not fishy, but i cannot explain the smell
    • billbob123
      billbob123 kaitlyn92717

      Posted

      sorry to hear that, try not to stress. it might not be herpes and even if it is, it is not the end of the world. the faster those results come the better so u can start medication. try not to touch them with your hands and if you do wash your hands immediately. If you can stop having sex for the moment. until all lesions are clear. 
    • billbob123
      billbob123 kaitlyn92717

      Posted

      with herpes sometimes there is a dischage too, try and relax as stress does not help, my dr realised it was herpes and he started me on medication immediately. I received the test a week later. it is very important to start medication asap. maybe u shld call your dr and ask him if u can start medication. feliscatus will give u better advice on pills. 
    • kaitlyn92717
      kaitlyn92717 billbob123

      Posted

      I was given Valacyclovir by my dr because she said just incase it was herpes we could start treating it as soon as possible. When I was at the doctor they didn't have any pain but I was concerned and she told me not to stress because they seemed only like severe ingrown hairs. But I am in so much pain I had to call out of work today and tomorrow for that I don't think I'm going to be able to walk without being in so much pain
    • billbob123
      billbob123 kaitlyn92717

      Posted

      good so at least u are on medication. yes unfortunately they are painful, very painful. maybe even passing urine will hurt too. In that case fill a bath and pee in water, salt will help to dry sores faster. i cld not go to work either as i cld not walk. but outbreaks are not as painful as this for sure. The 1st one is the worst.  My second outbreak was less painful.          good luck and maybe it is not that you never know.
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus kaitlyn92717

      Posted

      This may not be herpes. Herpes does not produce green, bloody pus from lesions. Somebody else had something similar (also green) and it was not herpes. Think it was staph or trich, but either way, not herpes. Herpes vaginal discharge, if any, is typically watery. Best thing is to wait for your results and keep the area clean and dry. Avoid touching, and wash your hands afterwards if you do. But I'm guessing it's not herpes, unless the green is from a secondary infection, but unlikely.
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus kaitlyn92717

      Posted

      That can happen with herpes, but also any other significant infection in the area, and what you have now sounds pretty nasty, so it's not surprising they're swollen. My money is on staph. Your bf's illness could have been staph, not strep, and then you shaved, had (oral) sex, etc.
    • kaitlyn92717
      kaitlyn92717 FelizCastus

      Posted

      Okay that makes sense because he did go down on me about a week ago. But does staph infect more than one pimple like thing? Because I have multiple!
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus kaitlyn92717

      Posted

      I believe it can, and staph can also cause green, bloody pus, which herpes does not (without secondary infection). Did you Google images of staph skin infections?
    • kaitlyn92717
      kaitlyn92717 FelizCastus

      Posted

      Yes I have looked up almost anything under the sun! It somewhat looks like that but doesn't look like it at the same time. My discharge isn't frothy, it's super thick and looks like it might be sticky! But these hurt so bad. I don't think it's healthy to shove anymore pain reliever down my throat
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus kaitlyn92717

      Posted

      Frothy discharge is bv/trich, not staph. Staph is just a nasty looking skin infection that can go green and bloody. When it's normal coloured, it can look like herpes, though. A guy had it on here and the sore he photographed really looked like herpes, but it was actually staph (not green, though).
    • kaitlyn92717
      kaitlyn92717 FelizCastus

      Posted

      I am at the emergency room right now and they said it somehwat looks like herpes but they're testing me for trich and other things. I am super nervous
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus kaitlyn92717

      Posted

      I hope it's not infected herpes and is something easily treatable like simple staph. It must be very nerve-wracking either way, but I'm glad you're getting it looked at. Hugs and fingers crossed for you!
    • kaitlyn92717
      kaitlyn92717 FelizCastus

      Posted

      I really hope it is not herpes. Tbh I don't want to even be alive if I have it
    • kaitlyn92717
      kaitlyn92717

      Posted

      They tested me for chlamydia, and gonorrhea and they won't find out for a few days but they gave me medicine for both just incase. I tested positive for BV and they said it looks like it's herpes but to wait for the test
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus kaitlyn92717

      Posted

      If they think it's herpes, do they reckon it's infected? Because no herpes is green and bloody on its own, and nobody here (that I'm aware of) has had green, bloody lesions that turned out to be herpes, whether with or without a secondary infection. That's why I'm hopeful it's just staph or something else. Keep me posted!
    • kaitlyn92717
      kaitlyn92717 FelizCastus

      Posted

      Im sorry, my email (which is connected for my notifications) is spazzing for some reason.  And I amd still waiting for results, they didnt have them today but they said they should have them tomorrow.  At least that is what I was told on Friday when I agot the culture done.  They feel a lot better, just hurts when i pee when the urine passes over the sores and trying to wipe... well thats not even happening. Very difficult.  Doesn't hurt when water runs over them though, and I am able to actually walk around without any pain.  Thankfully after about 24 hours of taking the antibiotics for my BV, the disgusting smell has pretty much disappeared and the discharge isn't as much.  But the doctor did say he saw lesions inside of my vagina on my vaginal wall- only a few.  I am still concerned but I'm slowly copeing with it and just understanding that it is apart of life unfortunately.  I am preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best.
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus kaitlyn92717

      Posted

      Hmmm, some of that does sound like herpes now, but the green, bloody pus business is what doesn't sound right. Herpes lesions, once ulcerated, should just look like canker sores, except down below (so, like a slightly recessed white/yellow sore). Are the antibiotics broad spectrum, and did they seem to help with the sores, not just the bv?
    • kaitlyn92717
      kaitlyn92717 FelizCastus

      Posted

      I'm not sure if it was like just the perfect timing that the sores healed once I started the antibiotics for the BV, or if they went away because of the medicine you know? Because they were open and scabbed over for like 2 days
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus kaitlyn92717

      Posted

      If the antibiotics helped heal the sores, then I'm hopeful it's not herpes again, lol. Herpes is viral, so antibiotics should have no bearing.
    • kaitlyn92717
      kaitlyn92717 FelizCastus

      Posted

      I know I hope it's not but I'm pretty sure it prolly is herpes. I don't have much hope ):
    • kaitlyn92717
      kaitlyn92717 FelizCastus

      Posted

      Okay, so the results are in and the test came back with type 1. So what does that imply?
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus kaitlyn92717

      Posted

      Oh no, boo! sad That is rather surprising, considering the very unusual pus colour and antibiotic affect! On the bright side, Type 1 is waaay better to have than Type 2. Really. You just have the cold sore virus in the wrong place, and it should barely bother you again, maybe just once a year, if that. Most people already carry it orally, too (often without ever having symptoms), so they'd be protected genitally. Makes it all so much easier to deal with. Read the above info and links for more on the two types, etc.
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