how can you just suddenly get herpes?
400112
Herpes is a virus.  Your body's immune system, when at it's peak, will battle the virus, and keep the outbreak of a lesion at bay. \n\nHowever, when your immune system is over-worked it's ability to fight all the bacteria, parasites, and fungi that it is exposed to, is reduced.  Hence, the outbreak.  \n\nThink of it like a see-saw or scale.  When your immune system is functioning optimally, the scales are balanced. And, your immune system is keeping all attackers under control.  Throw a virus into the mix ... now the immune system has to battle all the same attackers, plus the virus.  In most instances, the immune system will maintain the balance.  But, when you 'catch' something else, like a cold, or are exposed to other people with the flu, your immune system becomes challenged, and the scales tip. \n\nVirus' are more persistent, and tougher for the immune system to erradicate than bacteria.  So, at times of immuno-challenges, the virus will win out, thereby producing the lesion. \n\nIf you had chicken pox as a child, then you were first introduced to Herpes then.  The virus has been laying dormant all these years in your body. Some change has occurred in your life, recently, that is putting additional strain on your immune system, and alas, Herpes reared its ugly head.\n\nBeing a college student, you are exposed to people from all over, with a whole host of immuno histories of their own.  Chances are pretty good that, as a student, you're probably not getting sufficient, quality sleep.  Are maybe not eating as well as you should, and are maybe consuming more alcohol (which is a signifant challenge to the immune system).  \n\nSo, before you jump all over your partner for cheating, explore your life 'style'.  Assess your diet, sleep and exercise patterns.  Remember that adage ... 'garbage in - garbage out'.
696337
Unfortunately, the answer is yes! There is a common misconception that Herpes is only contagious when you're having a breakout; it simply isn't true! Herpes is always contagious...it goes through "viral shedding" this can happen at any time. For this reason...it is highly contagious! That is why some people say..."casual" sex isn't so casual anymore!
1110835
You can get almost any STD from somebody who didn't have an outbreak at the time. Then again, it is much more likely that one will get an STD when an outbreak occurs. The virus, of course, is still running through the body when there is no outbreak, and there is a chance that he could have contracted it a long time ago, and especially if his immune system has been low lately, he can be more susceptible to an outbreak. There is no surefire way to tell if he has been cheating on you, unless he was a virgin before he met you. \nBut I'd play it safe & wear a condom anyways.
426862
Herpes Simplex 2 can erupt on the mouth, but it has to get there first. Usually that happens during 0ral sex. HSV2 doesn't like to live on your mouth, so it will only erupt once or twice, then not show up again. That is unless you have a weak immune system (AIDS, chemo, etc.). If your immune system is weak, expect more eruptions, and more SEVERE eruptions.
1002619
yes, you can contract herpes through oral sex.  be careful, because you can contract it even if the person is not currently experiencing an outbreak.
99142
Sweetie, if you haven't had sex, it's not going to be herpes. You could be allergic to the detergent your underwear is washed in, a new soap that you might be using or it could a yeast infection. I would take some benedryl and make an appointment with the doctor. Those blisters can become infected if you're not careful. I suspect an allergy of some sort but I'm not a doctor. If you're under 18, you may need your mom's consent to see the doctor but if you've done nothing in the sex department then you've nothing to worry about. Ask your mom about how much benedryl to take or make sure you read the directions. Good luck, Honey. Tina
792838
i don't think so. it takes a few weeks for a herpes infection to set into a new person, so you wouldn't notice blisters in a few days.
1093049
Hey No need to worry this much, I have gone through a similar condition like this . I was much worried about herpes as symptoms looks that way . After that I realized that most symptoms are produced by my anxiety only. Now all I can say is that you have become hypersensitive . What you are experience is a penis irritation or inflammation only . The body aching is produced by your anxiety . Take this as a good lesson stop having any kind of sexual relations with strangers . If you are having sexual urge so much , then practice safe sex like masturbation . Otherwise this kind of careless sex can take away entire life . Think about it .At this moment you don't need to worry much about . Your symptoms will go away after few days .Further you practice safe sex only . You can go for an STD test later if you want to make sure that you are 100% clean.
191235
What you really need to do is see a doctor.  Unfortunately, nothing can CURE herpes, but you CAN help yourself.  A doctor can let you know just what YOU should do... if you need to go on suppressive therapy (which studies show works quite well, half of all people who took it in a year trial were outbreak free in 6 months, a third were outbreak free for the whole year).  And if you DO think you have it, and are feeling lost, you should know that 1/5 of the American population actually has HSV (herpes), and a lot of them don't even know it.  (chances are, one of your close friends may have it). And I think it's like, 70% of the population who has ORAL herpes (cold sores).  For some reason, those are more socially acceptable in our society, even though it's ALMOST the same disease.  There are definately worse things that could happen to a person than this.  Plus, there are many studies going on as we speak, that perhaps one day WILL yield a cure to herpes... or at least even better treatments.  PLUS, studies also show that the longer you HAVE genital herpes, the less frequent the outbreaks get, and the less severe.  So, the advice I hope you follow... 1) see a doctor.  That should be the first step, if you haven't had it diagnosed, it's even possible its NOT herpes 2) Read up on it.  Learning more about an affliction can help you deal.  Good luck!
170803
I'm not a doctor or anything but people do get the herpes virus or a form of it on their lips. It's not from sex, it's sort of like catching a cold. Just go to a doctor and he'll make you feel much better, I'm sure it isnt anything too bad.
927145
Honey, you really need to see a doctor, it sounds like herpes simplex, and it isn't going to get better without some antibiotic.
827101
You don't have "herpes" in the STD sort of sense...\n\nThere are many types of herpes--Simplex 1,  Simplex 2, chicken pox, and shingles.  It is a virus that always stays with you...it is not a bacteria.\n\nOral Herpes--which most humans have--is simplex 1.  The cold sore or fever blister comes out during stress or colds--i.e. fever blister or cold sore.  The virus becomes active during stress or colds because your resistance is down at that time.\n\nGenital Herpes--Simplex 2--causes sores on the genitals.\n\nChicken Pox-Most people get this at some point in their life.\nShingles--causes pain in an area around nerves--older people tend to get this.\n\nI don't know of any other way to get a fever blister other than having simplex 1 or 2.  However, the virus that causes oral herpes is very common, almost everyone has it and in many people it does not show up very often.  In some people it shows up as a canker sore on the inside of the mouth...so people don't ever see it just feel that they ate too many crunchy chips or something.\n\nJust don't pick at it or touch your genitals after touching your mouth--oral herpes in rare instances can be transferred to the genital area.
697224
It is very, very common for one partner to have genital herpes and the other to not have it. \nImportant to:\n1. Tell your partner before any intercourse/activity that would put them at risk.\n2. When you tell them be open with them, answer their questions and educate them about genital herpes. Most people don't know that much about it or often know incorrect information.\n3. Always practice safer sex. Abstain during outbreaks and when you feel an outbreak coming on. Wear condoms with each intercourse. \n\nYour partner will likely accept you as you are. It is not an easy conversation to have, but once you have it you will feel so much better.
210630
I am sorry to say but Mike is WRONG:\nThere are two types of Herpes,  Herpes simplex type I or II. Either type can infect the mouth or genitals (if you're really unlucky you can have 4 lifelong infections going at the same time: HSV1 and 2 in the upper body, HSV1 and 2 in the lower body. This would be very rare). When your incfected, the virus "hides" in the nervous system between outbreaks. It will protect you from a new infection of the same type, not of another type.\nOnly about 25% of Americans over the age of 12 DO NOT have antibodies against one of the two (standard test for exposure and infection).\nHSV1 is extremely prevalent (very easy to pass on, quite innocently, just by an injudicious kiss to a baby). Most everybody (up to 90% of the population) has antibodies against HSV1 by the time they're 50.\nAbout 20 to 30% of the population has antibodies against HSV2, more women than men (infection is easier for females), but HSV1 is fast becoming a major cause of genital herpes.\nMost people with HSV1 have just "fever blisters". Some have it bad, a terrible rash from the nose down to the chest, inside the mouth, it looks like a case of pox. It can last a few days to over a week. Genital herpes is basically the same on the genitals, blisters and lesions, individually different how bad. \n\nNow about transmission: It mostly happens when you have a blister/blisters going, through direct skin-to-skin contact. Avoid physical contact with the area from the time of the first symptoms (tingling, itching, burning) until all sores are completely healed, not just scabbed-over. Also try to prevent self-infection to other areas of your body. Wash your hands with soap and water if you touch a sore. Better yet, don't touch the sores.\nUnfortunately, the virus can sometimes  spread , when no signs or symptoms are present. This is called "Asymptomatic Transmission." Often people don't know they are infected, these people may have symptoms so mild they don't notice them at all or else don't recognize them as herpes. They can also spread it. Still, asymptomatic transmission appears to be far less likely than spreading the virus when lesions are present.
410967
The main symptom of herpes are lesions.  The lesions may be singular or multiple (blisters) and appear anywhere in the oral and genital area. The blister will break open to form a shallow lesion that is very painful. \n\nSymptoms usually appear 1 to 30 days after having intercourse. The person may experience flu-like symptoms. The blisters will last from 1 to 3 weeks. They will go away spontaneously, with little scarring, but like with genital warts, the virus remains dormant in the body and may reappear.\n\nHerpes can be treated, but not cured. They can be treated with an anti-viral medication during an outbreak. The anti-viral medication may also be used to prevent an outbreak.\n\nPeople who have only one sexual partner are the least likely to get herpes. If you have more than one partner, or don't know if your partner is having sex with others, it is very important to use condoms.  However, condoms cannot protect areas they do not cover (the groin area, the upper thighs and the abdomen).
685427
Yes, you can spread herpes even if you never have any symptoms. \nThere are cases where a person can have the herpes virus and show little or no symptoms, often referred to as asymptomatic herpes.\n\nIt is possible for a person to carry the virus without knowing that they have it, in fact, up to 80% of people who are infected with HSV-2 show no signs of the infection. So it is possible for a person to unwittingly transmit the infection to their partner.\n\nThe symptoms of the infection vary greatly between individuals. It might be totally unnoticeable in one person, but cause severe blistering in their partner.\n\nThe herpes virus can lay dormant for various time periods, and may be in your system for a time period before any symptoms begin to show. The usual incubation period of the virus (time before any symptoms show) is approximately two to twelve days after the initial exposure to the virus.\n\nThe virus can remain inactive in the body for long periods. Most of the time when Herpes sores are not present on the skin the virus remains in a latent (inactive) state in the central nervous system, where it does no damage.\n\nWhen the virus reactivates (wakes up), it travels nerve paths to the surface of the skin, sometimes causing an outbreak of symptoms.
1122484
No. \n\nTo get genital herpes you need direct skin to skin contact or you need to have sex with the person.\n\nSo if he were to use to toilet, and then you used it after him, you would not get the virus. It is not direct skin to skin contact. \n\nI was worried about spreading the virus to my younger brothers when I first got it. I shared a bathroom with them for five years! Neither of them got the virus from me and we didn't take special precautions like wiping down the seat after I used the toilet every time. You need direct skin to skin contact to contract the virus!