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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Herpes / October 2003Bizarre: Questions that Need Answers!
Hi everyone. Ive been lurking around lately and have come to the conclusion that everyone seems to be super supportive and helpful. As such, I wanted to inform everyone about my story and hopefully the experience on this board will bring forth some answers or hypotheses to my questions. Facts: * My girlfriend and I have been together in a faithful sexual relationship for the past 7 months. * My ex-girlfriend contracted genital warts, not herpes, from a sexual partner while the two of us we're broken up * We got back together and had unprotected sex. We were both tested for the other STD's * All tests came back as negative. I never contracted the warts. * I haven't been with that woman for 1 full year and have been with my girlfriend for the past 7 months * I routinely go for blood work and test for STD's. Always have had negative results. * My ex-girlfriend had another blood test done 6 months after her initial wart outbreak and again it came back negative Problem: * This past sunday I was engaging in sexual relations with my dearly beloved, and noticed some soreness on my penis. (Can we say penis here?!) * By tuesday the redness had manifested into blisters. * By wednesday it was time to see the Doc as blisters were painful and sore to the touch * Doc took a blood and swab sample and said that it is most likely Herpes. * These blisters are painful. Most are concentrated on one area, however there are other blisters in other areas. Question 1: It is my understanding that a Herpes outbreak occurs 2-3 weeks after infection. I have been with my girlfriend for 7 months. (No, there has been no cheating) Neither of us had ever experienced such symptoms. Is it not extremely peculiar that I would have my first outbreak 7 months after first having sex with my girlfriend? And in the event the Herpes was contracted by my ex-girlfriend, that would make it one full year since the last sexual encounter. Any ideas? Question 2: My girlfriend went to the doctor to be examined. She was experiencing symptoms as well. Her doctor diagnosed her with the Herpes virus as well. (Blood test was not done, only a vaginal swab). Is it not bizarre that we both have our first outbreak within 2 days? Technically, my girlfriend could have had the outbreak the same day as me and just not have been aware of it. We are very frustrated. Is it common for the infection to manifest itself so quickly between partners?! Question 3: Generally how long and how "bad" is the first outbreak? How many days until it starts to get better? Question 4: Once cleared up, how do you avoid re-infecting eachother? When should condoms be an absolute must? Question 5: The doc prescribed Valdarex to me. I was told that if those meds arent taken within the first 72 hours they have no effect. Is this correct? Any help would be much appreciated. Advice...you name it. Dave Male - 24 Hi David, I'll do my best to answer your questions. I won't bother with the hpv stuff because I am not up to date on the current testing. Keep reading below: > Question 1: > > It is my understanding that a Herpes outbreak occurs 2-3 weeks after > infection. I have been with my girlfriend for 7 months. (No, there has been > no cheating) Neither of us had ever experienced such symptoms. Herpes outbreaks CAN occur 2 to 3 weeks after exposure. OR, 2 to 3 days. OR 2 to 3 years. Etc. You can be infected with the virus for many years before having your first outbreak. And, you can be infected for years and NEVER have an outbreak but still be contagious. > Is it not extremely peculiar that I would have my first outbreak 7 months > after first having sex with my girlfriend? And in the event the Herpes was > contracted by my ex-girlfriend, that would make it one full year since the > last sexual encounter. Any ideas? Nope. Not unusual at all. Also, you had mentioned that everyone has been tested for stds, etc. However, herpes tests are not included in the regular std panel and must be asked for separately. Stupid, we know.... > Question 2: > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Technically, my girlfriend could have had the outbreak the same day as me > and just not have been aware of it. Nope, not bizarre at all. Let's speak hypothetically...One of you had herpes. For whatever reason, that person brought on their first outbreak. Because you can be infectious before showing signs of an outbreak, they then gave it to their partner. > We are very frustrated. Is it common for the infection to manifest itself so > quickly between partners?! All things are possible with the herpes virus. > Question 3: > > Generally how long and how "bad" is the first outbreak? How many days until > it starts to get better? It's different with each person. Ask your doctor for some antivirals if the pain is too bad. Over the counter pain relievers help as well. > Question 4: > > Once cleared up, how do you avoid re-infecting eachother? When should > condoms be an absolute must? You can't get herpes twice in the same location. Once you have it, you have it. Condoms should have been a must all along (stern condom lecture avoided....) > Question 5: > > The doc prescribed Valdarex to me. I was told that if those meds arent taken > within the first 72 hours they have no effect. Is this correct? I don't know because I've never taken the meds. Please keep listing your questions and we'll do our best to answer them. ar >Hi everyone. Ive been lurking around lately and have come to the conclusion >that everyone seems to be super supportive and helpful. As such, I wanted to >inform everyone about my story and hopefully the experience on this board >will bring forth some answers or hypotheses to my questions. >Facts: >* My girlfriend and I have been together in a faithful sexual relationship >for the past 7 months. >* My ex-girlfriend contracted genital warts, not herpes, from a sexual >partner while the two of us we're broken up >* We got back together and had unprotected sex. We were both tested for the >other STD's Unless you were specifically told that tests for herpes were included in the panels there is a good chance no herpes specific tests were done. >* All tests came back as negative. I never contracted the warts. >* I haven't been with that woman for 1 full year and have been with my >girlfriend for the past 7 months >* I routinely go for blood work and test for STD's. Always have had negative >results. The standard tests look for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and maybe something else like rubella, but that's about it, I think. Usually, blood has to be drawn separately for herpes and is rarely done unless one is specifically looking for HSV. >* My ex-girlfriend had another blood test done 6 months after her initial >wart outbreak and again it came back negative What was that test, I wonder. Warts are HPV and there is no blood test that I know of. >Problem: >* This past sunday I was engaging in sexual relations with my dearly >beloved, and noticed some soreness on my penis. (Can we say penis here?!) [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >* These blisters are painful. Most are concentrated on one area, however >there are other blisters in other areas. >Question 1: >It is my understanding that a Herpes outbreak occurs 2-3 weeks after >infection. I have been with my girlfriend for 7 months. (No, there has been >no cheating) Neither of us had ever experienced such symptoms. >Is it not extremely peculiar that I would have my first outbreak 7 months >after first having sex with my girlfriend? And in the event the Herpes was >contracted by my ex-girlfriend, that would make it one full year since the >last sexual encounter. Any ideas? Maybe atypical, but not impossible. >Question 2: >My girlfriend went to the doctor to be examined. She was experiencing >symptoms as well. Her doctor diagnosed her with the Herpes virus as well. >(Blood test was not done, only a vaginal swab). >Is it not bizarre that we both have our first outbreak within 2 days? >Technically, my girlfriend could have had the outbreak the same day as me >and just not have been aware of it. >We are very frustrated. Is it common for the infection to manifest itself so >quickly between partners?! It could be that the Sunday sex itself somehow triggered a mutual outbreak. At least one of you had acquired it elsewhere, the virus was in an active phase, the sex was vigorous enough to tip the scales, and there you are. >Question 3: >Generally how long and how "bad" is the first outbreak? How many days until >it starts to get better? I think Primary outbreaks tend to run a little longer than average, but the blisters should heal in a week to ten days but complete healing time could be two to three weeks. >Question 4: >Once cleared up, how do you avoid re-infecting eachother? When should >condoms be an absolute must? If you both have the same thing you don't have to worry about re-infecting each other. Once you have it, you have it. The thing you do have to worry about, especially in the first year of having HSV, is to be careful about transferring the virus to other parts of your body. With no extra help, the virus will stay confined to your genital region (boxer shorts area), but it's possible to transfer the virus to the oral region via oral sex or someplace else, like the eyes by scratching and then rubbing your eye. The experts say that such autoinnoculation gets harder to do after about a year, as the body has had time to teach its immune system how better to fight off new incursions of the virus. >Question 5: >The doc prescribed Valdarex to me. I was told that if those meds arent taken >within the first 72 hours they have no effect. Is this correct? More or less correct. By 72 hours the virus has pretty much shot its wad, so to speak, migrated out of the ganglia, replicated like mad, and broken your epidermis. After that the bulk of your outbreak is just healing time, and Valtrex or the other meds don't do anything for that. The meds only attempt to interrupt the replication cycle. >Any help would be much appreciated. Advice...you name it. I recommend that you and your partner both go get some herpes type specific blood tests. Ask for the Herpes Specific Western Blot and see what they say. If they don't know what it is come back here and someone will tell you how to get one. Take care, Mike Yes you are correct, there is no blood test for the HPV virus. My ex girlfriend was tested for (supposedly) everything else. Now I'm learning that HSV isnt part of the regular testing....unreal... > >Hi everyone. Ive been lurking around lately and have come to the conclusion > >that everyone seems to be super supportive and helpful. As such, I wanted to [quoted text clipped - 121 lines] > > Mike > Yes you are correct, there is no blood test for the HPV virus. My ex > girlfriend was tested for (supposedly) everything else. Now I'm learning > that HSV isnt part of the regular testing....unreal... Not really - if you are trying to check for disease then testing for HSV2 alone doesn't tell you the complete risk and HSV1 blood testing won't really tell you the genital risk either. Plus reliable HSV blood tests that offer accurate HSV2 diagnosis are new and pretty pricey compared to the others to enough of an extent you respond to individual need. Tim -- When playing rugby, its not the winning that counts, but the taking apart ICQ: 5178568 > * These blisters are painful. Most are concentrated on one area, however > there are other blisters in other areas. Sounds like a fairly classic outbreak of HSV - you mentioned a lot of testing. THe standard STD panel in the US doesnt include Herpes simplex. SO unless you have some specific readouts on that pair of viruses (ie you have an expansive doc or you requested it) then you won;t likely know your HSV status in the past. > Question 1: > > It is my understanding that a Herpes outbreak occurs 2-3 weeks after > infection. I have been with my girlfriend for 7 months. (No, there has been > no cheating) Neither of us had ever experienced such symptoms. First - 2-3 weeks is a standard incubation time from primary infection to primary outbreak. Its the time that you'd expect with no complications....its firstly an average, secondly its an average from those who get disease after a known risk encounter not the entire herpes carrying/suffering population. Most people get infected and never know (thats about 80% of the infected individuals) some may find out later. Second - either of you have cold sores? Moving on from that point Third - asymptomatic infection. With this virus, as I said, about 80% of infected people are unaware, yet they can shed virus leading to transmission and potentially disease in one person - yet never having had any signs of disease in the other. Oh in the USA about 21% of the population carries HSV2, which is the major agent and on top of that about 30% of new cases are in fact HSV1 which most people associate with cold sores/fever blisters IF they actually make that connection. However it can also do the asymptomatic transmission thang.... Basically there are ALL sorts of options here. You REALLY want to know the typing of that culture the doc took and what comes back in the blood test as that may give you an answer as to whether its first or recurrent infection. Your girlfriend may wish to know here status know depending on the results. This could be a case of you harbouring it, or her harbouring it silently or an oral to genital transmission or similar. THe virus is quite frankly a sneaky bastard. > Is it not extremely peculiar that I would have my first outbreak 7 months > after first having sex with my girlfriend? And in the event the Herpes was Not really - If it was in you already then it could be something unrelated to how long you'd been having sex with that person that set it off. Or if it was transmission well there risk of transmitting female to male is around 4-5% per year if they track discordant couples....so its not something that happens every time - there are all sorts of issues....bitlike pregnancy it can happen first time, or you can be at it for years. > Question 2: > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Is it not bizarre that we both have our first outbreak within 2 days? Hmmm one recurrent outbreak infecting the other, or an HSV1 transmission to the genital site follwed by pass on....both are possible. > Question 3: > > Generally how long and how "bad" is the first outbreak? How many days until > it starts to get better? The usual line is 7-11 days for an utbrak with the primary lasting longer usually. Beyond that it gets fluffy - individual responses are too individual to say beyond a population average. > Question 4: > > Once cleared up, how do you avoid re-infecting eachother? When should > condoms be an absolute must? Once infected - its a herpesvirus - its there for life in that site. So you can't really superinfect - at least not to a point where it will make a difference to the other person. Future partners mayy be an issue )assuming that becomes an issue) dependant on their status. > Question 5: > > The doc prescribed Valdarex to me. I was told that if those meds arent taken > within the first 72 hours they have no effect. Is this correct? Valtrex you mean? - and there is no 72hr limit that I've heard of. I'd be surprised if many people get to hammer the drug in inside the 72hr time from virus activity starting. You want it then if you want the best chance of aborting an outbreak from occurring - but even after then hammering the virus wil help shorten the duration of the outbreak by removng the virus from the equation. OK late on they won't help as a lesion isnt just virus activity but also inflammatory stuff. I've seen suggestions to that effect with the topical meds but not really a huge amount of evidence to support that idea beyond what I said above - though they arent as effective a te tablets. Tim -- When playing rugby, its not the winning that counts, but the taking apart ICQ: 5178568 Thank you all for your advice. It definetly helped clarify some things. Some of you have mentioned that the symptoms I described were "classic HSV" symptoms. There was one piece of information that I forgot to provide. I didn't, and don't have a fever or major flu like symptoms. My groin area did not become tender and I had no pains in my buttocks or legs. It is my understanding that in an initial outbreak these symptoms are experienced. Anyone know why these symptoms may not have been apparent? Secondly, I was wondering if it were advisable for me to continue working out at the gym, running on the treadmill, playing sports etc...while there is an HSV outbreak. What are your opinions? Thanks > > * These blisters are painful. Most are concentrated on one area, however > > there are other blisters in other areas. [quoted text clipped - 98 lines] > When playing rugby, its not the winning that counts, but the taking apart > ICQ: 5178568 HI everyone, My name is Sandy, and I'm the 'significant other half' of David Reiley. Thanks for all your support. I had a few questions of my own to post... 1) Whats the deal with birth control pills and Valtrex? Can they be taken together? What about continuing on the birth control pill continuously throughout 2 months to avoid getting your period? It really sucks to have your period and herpes outbreak at the same time.... I guess tampons are out too... right? 2) what about showering? I found relief from applying a hot compress to the area. Is that bad? Cold better? Thanks all! Sandy > Thank you all for your advice. It definetly helped clarify some things. > [quoted text clipped - 122 lines] > > When playing rugby, its not the winning that counts, but the taking apart > > ICQ: 5178568 Hi Sandy, Welcome! It's normal for women to have their outbreaks around their periods. Hormones and stress on the body, etc. And yes, that is mighty uncomfortable. Tampons are no problem is they don't bother you that much. Yes, you can take Valtrex and bcps at the same time. I don't understand about taking them straight through two months, though. You should always take your bcps the recommended way. Hot water and soap kill the virus. If hot compresses make you feel better, then go right ahead and use them. Take care, ar > HI everyone, > My name is Sandy, and I'm the 'significant other half' of David Reiley. [quoted text clipped - 160 lines] > apart > > > ICQ: 5178568 > Some of you have mentioned that the symptoms I described were "classic HSV" > symptoms. There was one piece of information that I forgot to provide. I > didn't, and don't have a fever or major flu like symptoms. My groin area did > not become tender and I had no pains in my buttocks or legs. It is my > understanding that in an initial outbreak these symptoms are experienced. Yup, well more likely to be - its a measure of immune reaction - in someone who hasn't been exposed to a particular virus the first reaction is often very strong - the body goes into overdrive trying to set up a permanent specific response. Not everyone will get that though. The groin tenderness woud be the lymphnodes at the top of the legs swelling as a response. Some people get that even on recurrences. Tim -- When playing rugby, its not the winning that counts, but the taking apart ICQ: 5178568 Hi David, Yes, continue exercising if it isn't too uncomfortable for you. Everyone experiences different types of outbreak symptoms. I never got neuralgia pain in the legs until years after I was infected. I only had flu-like symptoms for the first few outbreaks then that went away. It's all different. ar > Thank you all for your advice. It definetly helped clarify some things. > [quoted text clipped - 122 lines] > > When playing rugby, its not the winning that counts, but the taking apart > > ICQ: 5178568 Grant, When you mention that you experienced flu like symptoms for the first few recurrences, were these flu like symptoms enough to keep you from going into work? As for exercise, right now I just dont feel upto it. Im experiencing these flu like symptoms - the most apparent one being tiredness. Also, is it pretty much a guarantee that there will be recurrent outbreaks, or are there people with the virus who get it once and thats it? > Hi David, > [quoted text clipped - 158 lines] > apart > > > ICQ: 5178568 Hi David, I was in college when I was infected so I didn't have to deal with a full work day. I honestly don't remember if I went to class or not. (It was a really long time ago.) Just remember that when you are feeling like crap, that's usually because the body needs you to stay home and rest. Your body has a big job to do right now. Let it. :) Well, don't exercise NOW! Exercise when you're better. You now need to make sure your immune system is up and running the best that it can - that's with a good diet, rest, and exercise. There are lots of people who only have one outbreak and never have another. I haven't had one in so long I don't remember when the last outbreak was. And, there are people who never even have that first one... Take care, ar > Grant, > [quoted text clipped - 191 lines] > > apart > > > > ICQ: 5178568 > Also, is it pretty much a guarantee that there will be recurrent outbreaks, > or are there people with the virus who get it once and thats it? The majority of people who get the virus don;t see anything. Yes there are those who get one outbreak and never get any more. While this means no disease issues for them, it does not mean silent virus and henc elong term its something they need to be aware of. Tim -- When playing rugby, its not the winning that counts, but the taking apart ICQ: 5178568 Hi Dave Been lurking a bit myself of late. I just wanted to comment that eventually, when things even out in your lives as a couple (from this probably traumatic event of both being diagnosed with GH) both you and Sandy might well experience what my Lady and I have. Almost NO effects, as a couple, from having genital herpes. Since it's sounding like both of you will have been infected by the same virus, one quite possibly giving it to the other, then you won't be passing it back and forth as some folks think happens. The "ping-pong effect" has been pretty much debunked. Once you have herpes, it's yours, and will outbreak at it's own speed. Now, friction, stuff you eat, immune problems, stress, etc can effect the virus and make it more active sometimes but passing it back and forth won't be an issue. Plus, since both have the same virus, what's the point in condoms? Assuming nothing else is looming in the dark (like that HPV issue...but then, most people have at least one type of HPV by the time they've had 3 or more sexual partners) you can kinda forget about catching things from each other now. Especially herpes! Yippee! ::grin:: The only time I think about herpes anymore (had it now for over 5 years) is when I wish I had more time to respond to posts here. Otherwise, it's a complete non-issue in my relationship with my Lady. Sure, sometimes I have an outbreak (my Lady never has outbreaks, yet does have herpes--proved by western blot blood test). I get over it, and get on with things. Heck, having an outbreak doesn't even prevent us from having sex during one if one of us feels the urge (and we do, frequently! We're kinda newlyweds still). Pain... hah hah! I laugh at pain! ::big grin:: Seems like the 2 of you are doing the right things. You haven't gone off half cocked (pun not intended, but certainly enjoyed) and accused each other of cheating, which is sometimes the case with people less informed about herpes. You're getting MORE informed, and you're seeking info from the right sources--mainly meaning this NG. It's the BEST! Post any further questions you may come up with. The only stupid question is one you don't ask. Hang in -G > Hi everyone. Ive been lurking around lately and have come to the conclusion > that everyone seems to be super supportive and helpful. As such, I wanted to [quoted text clipped - 71 lines] > Dave > Male - 24 "Guy" <Guy_on@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:LV_jb.675 > Plus, since both have the same virus, what's the > point in condoms? Gee, Guy, I don't know...PREGNANCY???? Hehehehe....glad to see you're still around. :) ar Well, I saw her ask about birth control pills. If she's taking those, doesn't that eliminate "PREGNANCY" from the equation? Otherwise, wouldn't the pills be misnamed? ::grin:: It's good to BE around. Hang in -G > "Guy" <Guy_on@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:LV_jb.675 > > Plus, since both have the same virus, what's the [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > ar Oh Guy...tsk, tsk...I know lots of women who got pregnant and were on the pill. :) It's best to double up just to be sure. :) Take care, ar > Well, I saw her ask about birth control pills. If she's taking those, > doesn't that eliminate "PREGNANCY" from the equation? Otherwise, wouldn't [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > > > ar Wow - that sounds like great news! Let me make sure I understand what you were saying correctly... Sandy and I were both infected by the same virus. Understood. Assuming I had an outbreak, were you saying that I wouldn't cause her to have one if we were to engage in sex? That seems to be one of our major concerns - the "ping pong effect". We want to learn how to avoid passing it back and forth... What about masturbation - be it from your partner or yourself....that is friction based...will it bring about outbreaks? > Hi Dave > [quoted text clipped - 121 lines] > > Dave > > Male - 24 If friction is your trigger, then vigorous sex of any sort might bring on an outbreak. It's particularly true for women - make sure to use lubricants. ar > Wow - that sounds like great news! Let me make sure I understand what you > were saying correctly... [quoted text clipped - 156 lines] > > > Dave > > > Male - 24 Yes, you have the situation correct. No re-infection happens (with a normal immune response). Your outbreaks will not cause more for her. Her outbreaks will be determined by her own immune response to constantly being challenged by the virus (which is what happens once infected--the virus is constantly trying to replicate and cause a ruckus). It was thought, years ago, that there was such a thing as this transferring back and forth, simply because after sex one partner would all of a sudden have an outbreak. However, it's been determined that these outbreaks are caused by the friction of the whole thing, not transferring the virus. I guess that's a good thing, 'cept, speaking as one who's finding friction is a trigger sometimes (and other times, not...) I'm not so sure it matters. Outbreaks are outbreaks. From a viral load standpoint, I guess it's a good thing--meaning at least our bodies are not subjected to more and more new virus to then become latent in the ganglia and cause more frequent outbreaks, possibly. Most people's "normal immune response" is to have anywhere from 3-6 outbreaks a year (of HSV2 located genitally). This can be altered by having an inefficient immune system for some reason (colds, flu, other sicknesses effecting it), poor diet, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, prolonged stress, etc. All the things that effect a healthy immune system. But, one thing you DON'T have to worry about is passing it back and forth. Any kinda friction can do the trick if friction is a problem. So, masturbation would be in there as well. I'm of the opinion that these are the reasons why the antivirals can be a big service to us. If you find yourself having too many outbreaks (and for some, that can be ANY, really!), talk to your doc and get a prescription for suppression with one of the antivirals. There really is NO reason to be uncomfortable, or to "suffer through" too many outbreaks. At least, not IMHO. Hang in -G > Wow - that sounds like great news! Let me make sure I understand what you > were saying correctly... [quoted text clipped - 156 lines] > > > Dave > > > Male - 24 David, From reading the first part of your post I have to say that routine std testing is not all that it's supposed to be. In fact, they don't test you for all stds when you go in to be tested. You have to find out which ones they test you for, etc. I know for a fact that you are not automatically being tested for HPV (which causes genital warts). I also know that a person can have HPV and not get any warts (signs or symptoms). For more information about HPV you can read up here: http://members.cox.net/yoshi2me/Links/Links.htm . Same thing goes for Herpes. Also, it's going to be hard to pinpoint when you contracted herpes since you have had more than one partner. It's possible to have carried the virus for some time and not known it only to find out now through a flare up that you have it. It's also possible that both you and your girlfriend could have had the virus all along and the friction from sex alone might have triggered a flare up. As far as reinfecting each other ~ you don't have to worry about that at all. Once you get herpes ~ you keep it and it doesn't go back and forth like you might have thought. Valtrex is a very good herpes antiviral medication. If you find that you are experiencing too many flare ups you can consider taking the medication daily to suppress the flare ups. All in all ~ I wish you guys the best. Try and hang in there ~ Angela Hi Angela - Can you elaborate on what you wrote - more specifically on how Sandy and I don't have to worry about reinfecting eachother. Thats one of our major concerns here. If I were to be beginning an outbreak and we were ot have relations, wouldnt that cause her to have an outbreak right away as well? Thanks, Dave > David, > [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > > Angela David, Friction from sex can be a trigger for outbreaks in some people. Friction from sex does not cause you to get herpes in your body over and over. You already have herpes and it will stay with you. You don't keep getting herpes over and over again . . . but it's possible to get flare ups over and over again. Do you see the difference? If either of you is having trouble with outbreaks then you might want to think about suppression with a good antiviral medication like Valtrex, Famvir, or Acyclovir. Have you guys been typed? Do you know which type of herpes you have? (Type-1, Type-2, or Both?) Angela Angela did a good job of explaning it below. I just wanted to add that it's like being pregnant. Once you are, you are. You can't get pregnant again while you are still pregnant. Okay, stupid analogy... The virus lives in the nerve ganglia that service the area that you were infected in. Once the virus is there, you can't get it again. It's already in there. For instance, chickenpox is a herpes virus. For the vast majority of people, once you have the chicken pox, you can't get it again. It's because you already have the virus and the body has already made the antibodies to keep you from getting it again. Right now, you are so exhausted because your body is busy learning how to fight the virus. It's making antibodies to protect you from getting the virus again. I hope some of that makes sense. ar > Hi Angela - > [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > > > > Angela Ar, I loved your analogy!!! :-) At 32 weeks pregnant tomorrow it put a big huge smile on my face!!! :-) Thank goodness it's not possible to get pregnant while I'm already pregnant. There is already only enough room in there for one. I couldn't imagine having two in there . . . lol *hugs* Angela > Angela did a good job of explaning it below. I just wanted to add that it's > like being pregnant. Once you are, you are. You can't get pregnant again > while you are still pregnant. Okay, stupid analogy... Hi Angela, :) ar > Ar, > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > like being pregnant. Once you are, you are. You can't get pregnant again > > while you are still pregnant. Okay, stupid analogy... |
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