when i contracted herpes, the doctor told me it would likely be my only outbreak. it's now been three years and thus far the doctor was right. i've had no other outbreaks. any ideas why she would say that? are there certain types of herpes that have less frequent outbreaks than others? at the time of my outbreak i was too shocked to ask the proper questions of my doctor. now, she's not my doctor anymore. when i tried to ask the new doctor, they were dismissive, which pissed me off, so i just didn't inquire beyond my first question.
2007-03-08 06:36:52 · 3 answers · asked by private e 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ STDs
You should consider yourself lucky!
Some people only get one or two outbreaks EVER and others get outbreaks a few times a year!
It all depends on how well your body handles the virus and how well you handle stress (which is a major cause of outbreaks). And, usually the longer the person has genital herpes the less outbreaks they have and the less severe they are.
I have personally had genital herpes for 6 years now. I have probably had maybe 5 outbreaks the entire time I have had the virus. My last outbreak was over 2 years ago!
Just be glad you aren't like some other people who get them several times a year!
2007-03-08 10:22:33 · answer #1 · answered by Alli 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer to your question isn't simple, because, well . . . it depends. It depends on what strain of the virus you have. You might just have a mild case.
Also, it depends on the individual. Some people are more resistant to the disease, and their immune systems can keep it in check. Ever have the Chicken Pox? That's a similar virus. Remember how some kids were out of school for a couple of days, no problem, while others were deathly ill? Same thing. Some people will go years and years without having an HSV outbreak and *boom* there it is. And the bad thing is, neither you nor your doctor can predict - or explain - when that might happen.
Regardless of whether you have an outbreak, i.e., visible symptoms, you can still pass the virus on to other people. Or, the virus will become active (for some reason), even though you don't have any symptoms. During this period, you are contagious. This phenomenon is called "shedding," - and it WILL happen, sooner or later.
Consequently, you should be very, VERY strict about practicing "safe" sex. Use a condom, each and every time. But in reality, there is no such thing as "safe" sex, only "safer" sex. Condoms break, after all, and they're not 100% effective anyway.
It will be difficult, but you really ought to discuss the issue with anyone you're intimate with (beforehand), especially if you're not practicing safe(r) sex. Because sooner or later, a partner WILL get infected, and then you'll really be in trouble.
The situation might never arise, but keep a few things in the back of your mind. Can't tell from your profile, but if you're female and you ever get pregnant, tell your OB-GYN about the HSV infection right away. If you're male and ever become a father (the old fashioned way), make sure the mother - and her doctor - know. The HSV virus can be VERY dangerous to children, if precautions aren't taken.
If you ever become immuno-compromised (as a result of chemotherapy, a stem cell or bone marrow transplant, AIDS, or some other auto-immune disease), or you're ever put on immuno-suppressant drugs (for an organ transplant, or as treatment for Lupus, for example), HSV can be very serious. Tell your doctor.
2007-03-08 09:31:19 · answer #2 · answered by Humberto 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take the amino acid, LYSINE, twice a day (500 mg). It is pretty cheap. You can get it in almost all vitamin areas. I am prone to painful canker sores and the lysine keeps them away. The worst thing that could happen is that you will spend 5$ and get no effect.
2007-03-08 07:37:34 · answer #3 · answered by Boom Boom 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
why not call to the office to ask the nurse and see what can be done
2007-03-09 03:27:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋