New here - HSV-2 question...

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SnowDream - 12 Sep 2007 17:37 GMT

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this group and have been searching around the internet
trying to find an answer to a question about HSV-2 and I'm hoping
someone can help me...

About 4 years ago I went to the doctor for an itchy and painful
outbreak in my gential region - my doc took a culture and said it came
back positive for HSV-2. That was 4 years ago and ever since then I
have not had any symptoms or outbreaks or anything. I have never
taken any medicine for it (ie: Valtrex). I know that it is an
incurable virus, but I was wondering if it's possible, like HPV, that
your body can rid itself of the disease ?

I could be wrong, but it just seems to me that if I did indeed have
HSV-2, then I would've experienced another outbreak by now...

If anyone has had a similar experience or can help me with an answer
to my question I would really appreciate it.

Thanks,

S

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Yoshi2me - 12 Sep 2007 22:32 GMT

> About 4 years ago I went to the doctor for an itchy and painful
> outbreak in my gential region - my doc took a culture and said it came
> back positive for HSV-2.

If your doctor cultured a sore 4 years ago for herpes and it came back
positive for HSV-2 then that means you still have HSV-2.

> That was 4 years ago and ever since then I
> have not had any symptoms or outbreaks or anything. I have never
> taken any medicine for it (ie: Valtrex).

90% of those that have genital herpes have no idea that they have it because
they don't get signs or symptoms, have never been tested specifically for
herpes, or they have mistaken the symptoms that they do get for something
else like yeast infection OR jock itch.

But seriously, just because you don't get symptoms that you can see OR feel
doesn't mean that the virus has left you. That's not how herpes works.
Believe me, I wish it were that way - it's just not that way.

> I know that it is an
> incurable virus, but I was wondering if it's possible, like HPV, that
> your body can rid itself of the disease ?

No, it's not possible for your body to rid yourself of the herpes simplex
virus once you contact it.

> I could be wrong, but it just seems to me that if I did indeed have
> HSV-2, then I would've experienced another outbreak by now...

No, you can't base your status on how many outbreaks that you can see OR
feel. That would also mean that we would be able to dismiss asymptomatic
shedding and that's just not that case.

More information on asymptomatic shedding:
http://yoshi2me.com/herpes/viral-shedding.html

> If anyone has had a similar experience or can help me with an answer
> to my question I would really appreciate it.

It's not a problem to try and help answer your questions. I just hope you
will really read the answers and do some digging of reliable resources.
Believe me, I would love for the body to be able to rid itself of HSV. It's
just not going to happen. Just be glad you don't have to deal w/the
outbreaks that can be seen and felt day in and day out.

Angela ;)

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SnowDream - 13 Sep 2007 21:24 GMT

Thank you for the quick and helpful response - it seems that a lot of
newsgroups aren't as nice or forthcoming with helpful information as
this one is - I assumed that I still have it but it's strange to me
that it's been 4 years and I've been with 5 people since then (all of
who knew I had it before we had sex) and none of them ever got
anything from me (2 out of the 5 had HSV-2 testing done after 6 months
of having sex)

It really is a shame that there's such a terrible stigma attached to
this very common disease. I've only had a problem with 1 person that
I've told; the others seem to have been very accepting. Once again,
thank you for all of your help.

S

Reply to this Message

Yoshi2me - 14 Sep 2007 19:15 GMT

> Thank you for the quick and helpful response - it seems that a lot of
> newsgroups aren't as nice or forthcoming with helpful information as
> this one is -

I know what you mean. Most of the newsgroups that I've ever visited had
mostly spam or stuff to sell. I'm sure I was probably in the wrong groups,
too. I'm glad you like this one. It's the only one that I belong to for the
same reasons.

> I assumed that I still have it but it's strange to me
> that it's been 4 years and I've been with 5 people since then (all of
> who knew I had it before we had sex) and none of them ever got
> anything from me (2 out of the 5 had HSV-2 testing done after 6 months
> of having sex)

Are you sure about that because herpes isn't included in the routine STD
testing process. No signs OR symptoms doesn't necessarily mean no herpes at
all.

> It really is a shame that there's such a terrible stigma attached to
> this very common disease. I've only had a problem with 1 person that
> I've told; the others seem to have been very accepting. Once again,
> thank you for all of your help.

You're welcome! :)

Angela

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harmony - 13 Sep 2007 13:19 GMT

I have HSV type 1 and have only had 2 or so outbreaks myself, but alas
I still have the virus. Unfortunately there is no cure, once you
contracted the virus it stays with you for life. There are a lot of
people out there carrying the virus with little or no symptoms
whatsoever, so it is no indication of eradication.

Best of luck
Harmony
http://www.harmonyonline.com.au

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angel445116@gmail.com - 13 Sep 2007 14:47 GMT

On Sep 12, 11:37 am, SnowDream
<in_the_middle_of_a_snow_dr...@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Hi everyone,
>
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
>
> S

Hello I've just found out that I've tested postive for herpes I've
never had an outbreak, but I did get som valtrex from my doctor and it
seems that since I've taken them that I;ve been itching, maybe it's a
mind thing because I was told I tested potive I've not been sexuall
active for 3yrs, I dont know when I contraced this, but I just feel so
dirty and also ashame to tell my family. I dont know much about this
disease, but I'm surfing the web for any information I can get, I dont
want to pass anything to my children

Reply to this Message

Tim Fitzmaurice - 13 Sep 2007 17:09 GMT

> Hello I've just found out that I've tested postive for herpes I've
> never had an outbreak,

Did the doc tell you the type? If you have not had an outbreak then this
presumably was done from a blood test.

> mind thing because I was told I tested potive I've not been sexuall
> active for 3yrs, I dont know when I contraced this,

The virus can, as you have found, remain latent for a very long time.

> but I just feel so
> dirty and also ashame to tell my family.

US figures have HSV2 infection rate at somewhere between 20 and 25% of the
entire adult population. HSV1, considerably higher at around 70% or so of
the adult population. That covers oral and genital herpes between them.
Thats a lot of people.

Other herpesviruses - well Varicella zoster is in 90%+ of adults (that the
chickenpox and shingles virus), Epstein Barr virus a similar number, HHV6
is even higher hitting just shy of the entire human population.
Cytomegalovirus I think is at about 50% of the adult population in the US.

Herpesviruses are common. Very common in fact. They have a tendency to
not be amazingly visible and so many infected people simply don't know.

> I dont know much about this
> disease, but I'm surfing the web for any information I can get, I dont
> want to pass anything to my children

Well the type is going to be important here as it will give some location
information. HSV spreads essentially by skin to skin contact and doesnt
survive well outside in the environment. Therefore potential location
becomes important.

Any number of people here can go through the large amount of information
that is about that may help....just ask your questions and see what
answers come out.

Tim

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Yoshi2me - 14 Sep 2007 19:16 GMT

Maybe this will help:
http://yoshi2me.com

Hang in there,

Angela

> Hello I've just found out that I've tested postive for herpes I've
> never had an outbreak, but I did get som valtrex from my doctor and it
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> disease, but I'm surfing the web for any information I can get, I dont
> want to pass anything to my children

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