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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

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  • FelizCastus
    FelizCastus

    Posted

    Possible complications of genital herpes

    HSV-1

    Herpetic whitlow/gladiatorum* - Herpes on the finger/body; usually caused by HSV-1

    Occular (eye) herpes* - Can resemble conjunctivitis (pink eye) and lead to blindness in some cases; usually caused by HSV-1

    Herpetic encephalitis - Potentially fatal inflammation of the brain that is considered a medical emergency; usually caused by HSV-1; symptoms include confusion, seizures and drowsiness

    Respiratory tract disease - In immunocompromised individuals, there is a risk of HSV-1 causing respiratory tract disease

    Increased risk of Alzheimer's Disease - Some studies have linked HSV-1 (oral, but possibly genital as well) to Alzheimer's Disease

    * Most likely to occur via autoinnoculation during a primary outbreak and before sufficient antibodies have been established (typically 3-4 months from exposure).

    HSV-2

    Aseptic meningitis - Inflammation of the brain lining that usually resolves on its own; more common during a primary outbreak and does not typically recur; symptoms include headache, neck stiffness and light sensitivity

    Liver disease - In immunocompromised individuals, there is a risk of HSV-2 causing liver disease (herpetic hepatitis)

    Increased risk of HIV - HSV-2 increases the risk of acquiring HIV by 2-3 times in *both* men and women, *regardless* of the presence of visible lesions or other symptoms and HSV antiviral meds (see above section)

    Increased risk of cervical cancer - HSV-2 has been linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer, *if* co-infected with high-risk HPV

    Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause systemic disease and complications in immunocompromised individuals.

    Potentially fatal neonatal infection (herpetic infection in newborns) can also be caused by both types, although HSV-2 is the more common and serious of the two. Fortunately, preventative measures can be taken during pregnancy and delivery.

    Emis Moderator comment: all of these can be read about on patient.info for which I've included search result links below.

    Patient leaflets - https://patient.info/search.asp?searchTerm=herpes&collections=Condition_Leaflets

    PatientPlus articles aimed at GPs - https://patient.info/search.asp?searchTerm=herpes&collections=Prof_Ref

    HSV-1 and Alzheimer's Disease - http://www.cbsnews.com/news/cold-sore-virus-linked-with-alzheimers-disease/

    GH, HPV and cervical cancer risk - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23080497

  • kiki474747
    kiki474747 FelizCastus

    Posted

    How do I know which type of HSV I got? By blood testing?
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus kiki474747

      Posted

      Yes, if you think you have had it for over 3-4 months, then an HSV-1/2 IgG antibody blood test can determine type.

      Do *not* do the IgM blood test in case it's recommended. Many clinics and GPs mistakenly think it's useful, but it is useless for HSV and also doesn't determine type.

    • c92232
      c92232 FelizCastus

      Posted

      Hi,

      I know this thread is old but i'm really concerned and need answers please.

      I have one sore on the inside of my labia majora. I haven't had sex or received oral for 6 months. I have only given oral in this time.

      Is it possible that my one sore could be herpes, despite it being so long since I had sex/oral?

    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus c92232

      Posted

      Six months falls well outside of the incubation period for herpes, and ~90% of those infected with herpes do have their first outbreak soon after infection (versus months or years later), so it's unlikely to be herpes, *unless* you had symptoms before that were so mild you either missed them or brushed them off as something else. What does the sore look like? Does it look like an oral canker sore?
    • c92232
      c92232 FelizCastus

      Posted

      As far as I know I haven't had symptoms before.

      Yes it looks like a mouth ulcer and oozes.

  • loulabelle80
    loulabelle80 FelizCastus

    Posted

    I've just joined this site and just wanted to say well done on some really informative posts. Think it helps everyone as it's all of the information all in one place. I've spent 5.5 years researching like yourself. It becomes quite interesting in the end lol although i do have to watch myself when I start telling people about it as they wonder why i know so much info wink
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus loulabelle80

      Posted

      Thank you! :D Haha, and I know what you mean about knowing too much, but I've not really had the opportunity to discuss GH besides here, so I'm safe from potentially "outing" myself for now. ;p
    • pumpkin_love
      pumpkin_love FelizCastus

      Posted

      Hello FelisCatus again! Just had a little question in my mind which thought you might be able to help me cos u have been really great!

      While I understand the virus gets spread thru skin to skin contact, during outbreaks or viral shedding, does it mean as long as the virus gets into the other party, it means it is there to stay forever? Or does it still have to depend on the other person's immune system for eg. If it's low viral count that got spread into the other party's skin, and if the person has very strong immune system such that it defends that virus, that the person doesn't get infected with this hsv2? Just some thoughts!!! Thank you, as always!! I really think u are such a Super wonderful to have in these forums, it helps so much and so many of us out here, love you!

    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus pumpkin_love

      Posted

      Aw, thanks again! smile It's my understanding that a certain amount of the virus needs to enter a person's skin/body in order to take hold and infect them. Once that happens, it's for life. If below this infection threshold, I'm not sure what specifically happens to the virus, other than it doesn't lead to or cause infection or antibodies.
    • louise123456
      louise123456 FelizCastus

      Posted

      Can it be passed when shedding simply by say lying naked with skin touching? If so then God help us, not even able to naked cuddle ever again for fear of transmission! 😭😭
    • pumpkin_love
      pumpkin_love louise123456

      Posted

      In one of the forums I read online (one established doctor, I can try to find that link again), one guy also expressed his fear of just randomly passing to child or anyone since it's just skin to skin, but doctor replied it doesn't happen so briefly, and that the virus had to be massaged into the skin, and that's how hsv2 gets passed during sex cos of the thrusting that goes on. And that's also why mostly it happens on the penis shaft for the guys cos that's where the "massaging" takes place... But Felis, pls shed more light too!
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus louise123456

      Posted

      Naked cuddling is still okay! smile Regular skin to regular skin contact without lesions is totally fine. Virus is only shed via lesions (wherever located) or during asymptomatic shedding episodes from just the anogenital tract (woman: vagina, cervix, anus), and "rubbing" or similar is usually required to transmit enough virus, not just light brushing.
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus louise123456

      Posted

      Naked cuddling is still okay! smile Regular skin to regular skin contact without lesions is totally fine. Virus is only shed via lesions (wherever located) or during asymptomatic shedding episodes from just the anogenital tract (women: vagina, cervix, anus). Also, "rubbing" or similar is usually required, not just light touching or brushing. So, you can naked cuddle without fear!
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus

      Posted

      Oh, didn't realise it posted the first time! Battery died just as I hit the reply button, so I thought I'd lost it all...

      You are right about the massaging, Pumpkin Love. Also, a man's penis, especially the head, is kind of semi-mucosal, so more receptive to the virus than regular skin.

    • louise123456
      louise123456 FelizCastus

      Posted

      But I got passed it while having sex using a condom, and he had no lesions at the time I don't think. So he was shedding... His sores came out a few days later around the belt line, under his belly button. But I got my lesion around perineum , would that make sense? Do you shed from a large area, the boxer short outline say? So even though his sores came out under belly button and he had no lesions at the time he must have been shedding from boxer short area and that's how I got it in the area I did? So then if that was the case, say I was shedding and lying cuddled up sleeping or something naked to a man with his penis uncovered, it could pass? If he was spooning me or something?

      Laughing at my own question here as it sounds ridiculous but I am genuine! (And asking in the hope that someone ever wants to sleep with me ever again! 😂)

    • pumpkin_love
      pumpkin_love FelizCastus

      Posted

      Sufficient bytes gone through already before battery died. So it got posted 😂😂😂 omy but in this case it's good hehe 😁😅

      Omy thanks for sharing again! So sad to hear the head is more receptive.. though I really don't think much rubbing goes around there, unless it's repetitive entry 🙈 ... 😔 I always feel like the head would be more sensitive and more painful if it happens, versus the skin on the shaft. I'm just like trying to imagine how bad it would be if the guy if he gets it. 🙈 Pray not.

    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus louise123456

      Posted

      If there was no genital contact without condoms and the condom didn't break, then I guess he was shedding from the base and/or shaft, which is not covered with proper condom usage or if it rolls down somewhat. Since it was just before an outbreak, when he was acting coy about sex only a day or two earlier, he could well have been prodromal, which is an infectious phase. That (sex, even with a condom) is very different to if you had only cuddled, for example.
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