HOw do i learn to live with the new knowledge that I have herpes?
148890
You say this to yourself everyday:\n         God grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
918089
How common is herpes? \nAbout 50 percent to 80 percent of the adult population in the United States has oral herpes (commonly called cold sores or fever blisters), with as many as 90% having the virus by age 50. \nMost people contract oral herpes when they are children by receiving a kiss from a friend or relative. \nAbout one in four persons in the United States has genital herpes; however, as many as 90 percent are unaware that they have the virus. There are many reasons people do not know they have herpes (see below). \nAnyone who is sexually active can contract genital herpes. \nHow is it transmitted?\n\nAny person who is sexually active can get genital herpes. \nHerpes is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact. This occurs when a contagious area comes into contact with a tiny break in the skin or mucous membrane tissue, primarily the mouth and genitals. \nMost skin on the body is too thick for the virus to go through. \nIf a person with oral herpes (sometimes called cold sores or fever blisters) performs oral sex, it is possible for the partner to get genital herpes. \nIf a person with genital herpes has sex, it is possible for his or her partner to get genital herpes. \nGenital herpes can be transmitted sexually both when symptoms are present and sometimes when symptoms are not present. \nThere are several days throughout the year (called asymptomatic reactivation, asymptomatic shedding, or subclinical shedding) when the virus may be present on the surface of the skin, but there are no symptoms. Herpes can be passed through sexual contact during this time. \nThere are no documented cases of a person getting genital herpes from an inanimate object such as a toilet seat, bathtub, or towel. Herpes is a very fragile virus and does not live long on surfaces. \nTesting\nThere are different tests available for herpes. One test, a viral culture, can be done if you are experiencing symptoms. Blood tests are available for people who may not have had symptoms or if the signs have already healed. Not all tests are accurate, however, and many health care providers are unclear on which tests to perform. To find out more about getting an accurate diagnosis, visit our section on Testing. \nReduce your risk\nAny sexually active person may contract genital herpes. Aside from abstaining from sex or mutual monogamy with one uninfected partner, there are many options a couple may consider to reduce the risk of transmission.\n\nSince one in four persons is though to have herpes and the majority of people don't know, if a partner has ever been sexually active, it is possible that she or he could unknowingly have the virus too. Accurate blood tests:hyperlink are available to determine whether a person has antibodies for HSV. Knowing a partner's status can help a couple make a joint decision about whether they need to take steps to reduce the risk of transmitting HSV.\n\nIf one or both partners have herpes, it is important to become educated about herpes, to understand the basics of herpes prevention, and to make decisions together about which precautions are right for you.\n\nIf someone has signs or symptoms around the genital or anal region (genital herpes), he or she should not have sexual activity until all signs have healed.\n\nWhen there are no symptoms present, there is still the possibility of asymptomatic reactivation:hyperlink . Using latex condoms between outbreaks for genital-to-genital contact can reduce the risk of transmission. While condoms don't always cover the potential sites of viral shedding, they offer useful protection against the virus by protecting or covering the mucous membranes that are the most likely sites of transmission. Furthermore, keep in mind that condoms also help reduce the risk of acquiring another STD.\n\nOne antiviral medication for herpes, valacyclovir (Valtrex®), has been shown to reduce the risk of herpes transmission. When a person with a history of recurrent genital herpes takes
233242
The first outbreak usually occurs within two weeks after the virus is transmitted, and the sores typically heal within two to four weeks. \n\nBUT:\nRemember, most people infected with HSV-2 are not aware of their infection. However, if signs and symptoms occur during the first outbreak, they can be quite pronounced.\n\nHerpes infections can be difficult to diagnose between outbreaks. Blood tests, which detect HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection, may be helpful, although the results are not always clear-cut. \n\nhttp://www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDFact-Herpes.htm\n\n\nAbout one in four adults in the United States has genital herpes. However, most people don’t know they are infected because their symptoms are too mild to notice or mistaken for another condition.  http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn.cfm
69230
Herpes can spread like wild fire if your not careful thats why mommy always said for you not to eat or drink after anyone inculding family. Thats an nasty little buga I've seen what it will do to the human body I've seen patients ate up like they had cancer.You can get it from having sex unprotected and protected.
1021513
First of all, you can get an oral form of herpes (which I am assuming this is to what you are referring) through contact with another person who has an active outbreak of the viral infection.  This means that just being in contact ONCE can cause you to become infected.\n\nThe sores are also known (on the mouth) as "cold sores" or "fever blisters" sometimes.\n\nI suggest you take a look at the link in the "sources" section.  This page from Medline Plus lists a lot of different links to take you more specifically to different sites to help you find some answers about what you need to know.
988602
Yes. It sounds like your relationship is in trouble anyway. I got genital herpes from my boyfriend of 4 years and he didn't tell me he had it. Now I have this virus the rest of my life. That wouldn't be fair of you to not tell her. Women can have more complications with genital herpes. Most women have to, or choose to, have a C-section delivery when they are pregnant. Babies can get the virus from their mothers and have severe complications and even death (rare). Even if you two don't spend the rest of your lives together, when she becomes pregnant someday she'll have to take extra precautions. That's not fair to her or her future baby. Please let her know.
929538
First does your boyfriend know that you have genital herpes? Just because he wore a condom doesn't mean that he didn't catch herpes Whether you have symptoms or not, you can still transmit the infection. If you are sexually active, condoms can help reduce, but do not eliminate, the risk of spreading HSV.\n\nGenital herpes (also called HSV infection) is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that may cause skin blisters and sores in the genital area, but often causes no visible symptoms. It is possible to get genital herpes through sexual contact with an infected person even if he or she has no symptoms. \n\nI hope this helps...Be careful sweety
697860
You were so misinformed\n\n*HSV-1 is not hereditary\n\n*You can only spread it by kissing, or drinking from the same glass if you have an open sore.\n\n*Once the sore is dried up and clear, you are no longer contagious. \n\n*Your children will only get it if you kiss them or drink after them from the same glass, when you have an open sore.\n\n*You are not contagious to people on the street.\n\n*You can pass HSV-1 to the genital area by performing oral sex if you have an open sore, so wait until it is dried and cleared away.\n\n*You don't think you can get Pink eye from HSV-1, but you can with gonorrhea, chlamydia, and other bacterial infections.\n\n*The one and only thing you can do with a flair up is WASH YOUR HANDS after you touched the infected area to prevent spreading it.\n\nIf you want more information regarding HSV-1 speak with your doctor.
1074809
For the most part people are usually pretty accepting about it. I told my boyfriend at the time (now fiance) that I have genital herpes and he was completely understanding about it. Of course he wanted to know if he could get it and how, and how it is treated, etc. So after some long talks he has come to accept it and the fact that someday  he might get it.\n\nI've never had a bad experience when telling someone I was dating that I have genital herpes. They usually just ask a lot of questions. It might be different though for a deadly STD like HIV/AIDS, since I don't have HIV/AIDS, I'm not sure how someone would react if their partner told them they have it.
81508
I always told guys "too soon" (atleast my friends told me that). If I had the slightest sexual attraction and thought there was a chance we could end up in bed... Still, I was met with very little rejection. Usually it came out no later the second or third date when we got to the "sharing life stories" part of the dinner conversation :-). I would be like "... ya, last year my boyfriend was dishonest... I'm on Valtrex because he gave me herpes. Valtrex prevents outbreaks and spread...I always use condoms anyway". \nAfter the first year, it became more difficult to tell guys so soon because I was simply used to living with it and, even having been rejected very few times and talked about it alot, it is still stressful to tell a new potential partner!\nI'm currently in a serious relationship, but if I were dating now, I would probably wait longer until things got serious.\nAlso, during the first year of having it, I was in the southern part of the midwest- where people just talk more and tell their life stories more. Out here in a "big city" on the coast-- the culture isn't so narrative and people are different as far as what they tell and when.\nI would do what's comfortable for you and what feels right in the moment with the other person. \nDefinitely tell them before sleeping with them; If they caught it from having sex with you and were NOT informed, then you could be held legally liable (I lost the specific legal references, but there are cases of people being sued for giving their partners herpes).
368424
fisrt i have to ask u one thing ...are u both u and ur partner were virgin efore u become together??????in fcat herpes virus never left ur body if u once have it...it doesnt matter how....of course it is one of the STDs but u dont have to have any new relation to have it.....if one of u before had it it will always be in ur body...of course it will become fine without any lesion or sores but the virus will live in ur body and there is no way to damage it completly ....and the main reason of vagina's sores is herpes...my advise to u is if u and ur partner were not virgin at first then maybe one of u have it from past and if both were virgin then one maybe cheat the other one.....
976230
The Herpes virus causes both the outbreak that you can get on your genitals, and also is the cause of coldsores that you get around your mouth (although I've heard that if you have one, you cannot get the other). It is incurable (unfortunatly) but for most people, outbreaks are rare, and in some cases after the initial outbreak, they never have another (although they still carry the virus). It an be transmitted from area to area both on your own body and from person to person. Again in some cases, outbreaks will clear up on their own without any medication, however if an outbreak is severe, or doens't go away you should see your doctor. Your thigh is infected with the virus and outbreaks can be close together. In the same way as coldsores, outbreaks tend to happen when you are stressed or feeling under the weather as your immune system isn't at top levels. To help prevent further outbreaks keep your vitamin intake high, especially vit. C by eating lots of fresh, uncooked fruit and veg and drinking lots of OJ. You will always carry the virus (unless they find a cure) so always use a condom when having sex to prevent further infection to other people and always wash your hands after touching an infected area to prevent further infection on yourself. Also, if the doctor didn't already do it, get checked out for other STDs. Ones like Chlamydia often have no symptoms but can casue infertility and if yuo have Herpes, you may have other STDs.
77758
You could have genital herpes for years before you show any signs of them. Herpes is a virus that stays in your system for life. Try the article below for more info.
1039132
You sound so scared so lets see if we cant help you a little, first dont panic i know but please this makes you ill and your sytoms worse which may well be the case right now.The truth is the risk of aids  is low and the only way to know is a test. Yes scary but it will put an end to all of this. In your phone book there will be a number of a clinic the nhs is your in the uk has private test centres within the hospital they have councilors who can talk to you can tell you of the risks. And help you deal with what is happening and how you feel, it will help. While at the clinic they will also run other test at the same time so then you will know for sure. At this point i will tell you that if you have std it can and will be treated it is not the end of the world, just a huge learning curve for you. Also remember having a cold or flu does not mean that you are ill with anything else, it may of just knocked you side ways and took alittle longer to run its course and you were travelling as well, so your body have of slowed down. There is only one thing to do and that is call your hospital, no one has to know and you dont even have to be called your real name when you get there and no one has to know, but you need to go and get checked out. Remember it may be nothing, it does not sound like hiv or aids, the chances are so so remote and if its std you can be treated. Take care and good luck.
1163813
Valtrex. You can take it preventatively. Also don't worry, the longer you have herpes the less you get outbreaks. It gets weaker everytime.
1059118
First accept that you will have to live with the disease for the rest of your life.  Be positive about the disease.  Don't spend your time thinking about the disease, keep your mind focused on things that keep your life going and most of all put everything in the hands of the One Above - God.  Do things that you like most and avoid things that put you down.   Associate with people that will support you and understand your situation, if you can join a support group.  Try it, it works.
894806
It is very important that you see a doctor.\n70% of people who get herpes got it from a partner that didn't have any symptoms. 1 our of 4 people have herpes and don't know it.\n\nBetter check with your doctor. You might have some other problem. And no unprotected sex