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Not Joe - 28 Jul 2004 04:35 GMT

Hi everyone,

I've been reading this group for quite sometime now, and have a couple
questions that I'd love to throw out here to the folks that really seem
to understand this damn virus.

I've had HSV (genital) for about 12 yrs. now. I take Acyclovir daily as
a "preventative therapy", which does a pretty good job of keeping the
virus dormant (if that's the right term).

Here are the questions:

How do you know if you have HSV 1, or 2, and, does it matter? I mean if
you have genital herpes, is anything different (treatment wise, or
other) if you have HSV 1 or 2?

I keep hearing that "if you're married, your spouse will contract HSV at
some point"... is that true? Man, I don't want that to happen! Anyone
been successful at preventing their loved one from catching this virus?
If so, for how long have you been successful at not-spreading it to your
partner?

Lastly, are OB symptoms different when you are on suppressive therapy
(like taking Acyclovir)? I haven't had a acute outbreak in over 2 yrs,
but as I'm rather paranoid about it, I check myself all the time, and
have seen from time to time what looks like a tiny red spot... doesn't
look like a cold sore, but since it's "something", I take the
precautionary route and assume it's an OB. Can the symptoms of outbreaks
be so minimal?

Thank you for listening,
Joe

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Pain Devine - 28 Jul 2004 08:39 GMT

> How do you know if you have HSV 1, or 2,

Only way is via a Bloodtest

> and, does it matter?

Not really... if you're parter already has HSV-1 and you have HSV-1 then
you'll not ahve to worry about transfering it... etc...

> I mean if you have genital herpes, is anything different (treatment wise,

> other) if you have HSV 1 or 2?

HSV-1 is milder... and more common. It used to be said that HSV-1 was mostly
an oral disease and HSV-2 was mostly a genital disease. But with oral sex
becoming more and more common, both diseases are being found in either place
now. I think that you are still more likely to get HSV-1 in your mouth and
HSV-1 genitally, but don't be suprised if you have the opposite.

> I keep hearing that "if you're married, your spouse will contract HSV at
> some point"... is that true?

Not neccicerily. Does your spouse know you have it?

> Man, I don't want that to happen! Anyone
> been successful at preventing their loved one from catching this virus?
> If so, for how long have you been successful at not-spreading it to your
> partner?

Many people have been very successfull. What you need to remember is that
you are not only a person with HSV... you are also a person that shows
symptoms. The vast majority of people that contract HSV never show symptoms.
So, you may very well have already given HSV to your wife... or she may have
had it before she even met you. But just having the disease doesn't mean
She'll develop symptoms strong enough to notice. Only 20% of those that have
HSV ever show symtoms.

> Lastly, are OB symptoms different when you are on suppressive therapy
> (like taking Acyclovir)?

It verys from person to person. Most people have good luck with it... as
well as peace of mind.

> I haven't had a acute outbreak in over 2 yrs,

Yay!

> but as I'm rather paranoid about it, I check myself all the time,

That's too bad. You shouldn't worry so much. Talk with a shrink about that,
they are fun and maybe will be able to help you deal with it better. I see a
shrink all the time.

> have seen from time to time what looks like a tiny red spot... doesn't
> look like a cold sore, but since it's "something", I take the
> precautionary route and assume it's an OB. Can the symptoms of outbreaks
> be so minimal?

Yes, they could be that minimal... but more likely, that's just an infected
hair or pimple. I get stuff like that all the time. I used to think "OMG!
It's a Herpes sore!!!" until one day I noticed I had one of my knee... and
on my arm... and on my toe.... and on my shoulder... Why, just because it's
on my abdomen, is it automatically herpes? Becuase I'm Obsesive Compulsive
about my sexual health. So now I don't consider every pimple to be herpes. I
know it's just me wigging out.

> Thank you for listening,
> Joe

You're welcome!

Reply to this Message

Grant - 28 Jul 2004 10:23 GMT

Hi Joe,

I was with my ex-husband for 17 years - he never showed any signs of getting
herpes from me. I have genital type 1. I strongly recommend you find out
what type you have because it really does make a difference.

ar

> Hi everyone,
>
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
> Thank you for listening,
> Joe

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