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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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  • Vick6622
    Vick6622 FelizCastus

    Posted

    Hello, I am experiencing that I have a sore in my mouth I've been on the medicine for 3 weeks I have no sores on my vagina, could this have any relation to each other ?
    • Vick6622
      Vick6622

      Posted

      Also I am having tingling feeling again in my vagina area I just finished an outbreak last week is it possible to have another one even though I'm on medicine for last 3 weeks and still currently taking it ?
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus Vick6622

      Posted

      If the sore is inside your mouth, it could well be just a canker sore and unrelated. Tingling could be an after effect. Best thing is to observe down below. Normally, I don't believe it should outbreak again so soon and while on daily meds.
  • Tile
    Tile FelizCastus

    Posted

    Hi FelisCatus I posted about my situation about 1 to 2 months ago. I had explained about the burning I have in my feet. I had asked if it could be related to hsv2. I did exactly what you had talked about I took acyclovir for 1 month twice a day religiously. I saw no difference. I have had hsv2 for 10 years with about 6 outbreaks. Do you think I should go back on acyclovir for a longer period of time? Thanks Tile.
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus Tile

      Posted

      Hi Tile, I remember you! Oh, I'm sorry that didn't help. rolleyes A month should have made a difference, I would have thought. If you want to try again, possibly for a bit longer, you can, but maybe consider valacyclovir instead (costs a bit more, though). In my HSV research, I came across another drug that might help specifically with neuralgia and related conditions. Mentioned it in a post on this forum, so will need to look it up.
    • Tile
      Tile FelizCastus

      Posted

      Thanks FelisCatus I think I will try again. Although I'm beginning to think that my neurologist is right and this burning in the feet is from something totally different. From all of my research I have come across nothing like this from hsv2. It never co insides with an outbreak and continues to get worse. I appreciate any more input you have. THANKS STEVE
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus Tile

      Posted

      Yes, the assumption would be that if it's related to HSV, then you'd expect the meds to have some impact. But then again, some feel valacyclovir works better for them, hence why you could try that instead.

      Also, I found that info I posted previously. Relates to hyperaesthesia, which is apparently an abnormal increase in sensitivity to stimuli, so not the same, but nevertheless nerve-related. Anyway, in the case study below, antiviral meds didn't really help, but amitriptyline hydrochloride did. Link below.

      Hyperaesthesia Following Genital Herpes: A Case Report: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/drp/2011/903595/

      According to Google, amitriptyline hydrochloride is a tricyclic antidepressant and apparently available as Adepril, Amitid, Amitril, Elavil, Emitrip, Endep, Enovil, Trepiline, Tryptanol and Vanatrip. Not sure about generic.

      No idea if this would help in your case, but you never know, so just thought I'd share it with you.

    • Tile
      Tile FelizCastus

      Posted

      Thanks FelisCatus, I really do appreciate it! At this point I'm ready to try anything and I'm going to try these things. I think in doing so I will have exhausted every Avenue that leads to this being related to hsv2. THANKS Tile
  • n37791
    n37791 FelizCastus

    Posted

    I was 5 weeks past the possible exposure date and had the igg test done. I was 10+ and positive hsv 1 and negative with hsv 2. I have had no visual symptoms of hsv 2 but have had some itching in around my genitals and buttocks. How reliable is the test and should I have seen any sores now that I'm over 6 weeks in?
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus n37791

      Posted

      You should have had more obvious symptoms by 5 weeks. Usually a first outbreak will occur within the first week, occasionally two. The IgG test at 5 weeks can show infections in some people, but not all. Good sign that it was negative, but if you're concerned, it's better to retest at 3 months.
    • n37791
      n37791 FelizCastus

      Posted

      Thanks! How bad should the itching be and would there be sores as well if it was herpes?
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus n37791

      Posted

      Itching varies from person to person. For a first outbreak, there would normally be lesions or evidence of leisons (e.g., burning urination, which means lesions inside the urethra). Sometimes lesions may be internal, but usually there are external ones, even if only one or two. Symptoms can vary considerably, unfortunately.
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus n37791

      Posted

      Most first outbreaks, if you're to have one, would show up within the first week, up to two. The IgG at 5 weeks is not conclusive for new infections. You need to wait 3-4 months to be sure. Fyi, your HSV-1 infection is established, so not new.
  • n37791
    n37791 FelizCastus

    Posted

    If you test positive for hsv1 on the igg blood test, does it take longer for the hsv2 antibodies to develop and show up in the test?
  • shanite98169
    shanite98169 FelizCastus

    Posted

    Can herpes be detected by blood test, pap smear? Is it possible for a hematologist to detect herpes? And can antibody show herpes ?
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus shanite98169

      Posted

      Blood test, yes, specifically an antibody test (IgG antibodies, not IgM) after the 3-4 month window period. Pap smear might detect something, but is not reliable, since it is not designed to test for herpes. A hematologist? Depends on whether he runs the necessary antibody test.
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