Mermaid2349

WCSDancer2010, I apologize in advance for hijacking this post, but something you said was exactly what I came to the forum today looking for. Just disclosed, and like Aikea he was great about everything. My question is this, he takes medication that has the side effect of lowering his immune system. And I am wondering what that means in terms of risks to him. I do not want to proceed without doing a bit of research, asking my doctor and the folks on here (who are a lot more knowledgeable than a lot of MD's about the topic) so that he can make an informed choice. I want to keep him safe and herpes free!!! Thanks everyone! Mermaid2349

Thank you!!

Finally starting to wrap my head around this and have the support of some amazing friends as well as all the folks on here! It is an eye opening journey! Thank you!!

In doing my research, I read an article from the New York Times and it discussed ways to reduce the risk of herpes transmission. Condoms of course are at the top of the list...latex being the recommendation, polyisoprene not as much due to slippage issues?, and definitely not natural skin as the virus can get through. My problem is that I am allergic to latex:( Any thoughts on polyisoprene reliability? What about medical-grade polyurethane condoms?

I have seen a lot of discussion elsewhere from ladies who have had this for a while, and in their experience, at the onset of menopause their outbreaks changed a bit. Haven't seen anything discussing the inverse. One of the many questions for my dr.

Does anyone know if there could be a connection between contracting HSV-2 and the sudden onset of hot flashes and night sweats? I am 49 years old and have been showing very slight signs of menopause (nothing obvious) until I suffered a pretty bad first herpes outbreak and now sleeping through the night is pretty impossible due to night sweats and hot flashes are making my days miserable! Any research out there that someone has found? Any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I was pretty delirious and in a lot of pain at the ER so I will have to call to request the records to see if they did a swab. I think she made a visual confirmation, but not sure at all what the blood was for unless to rule out other infections. They did mention a spinal tap at one point because a type of meningitis could develop?? Is that correct? If I am not having (and do not have ...wishful thinking on my part) active lesions, how will they do a swab test? Is the swab test the culture test?

Does the severity of the initial outbreak indicate how quickly your body is developing antibodies? I had a pretty brutal and lengthy first OB and the diagnosis at the ER was "suspected HSV-2"? They drew enough blood to fill six or seven vials so what were they testing for with all that, if not this disease? I haven't gone to my dr yet, but would seem a waste of time if it takes 12weeks to develop the antibodies and I no longer have active lesions? Any thoughts?

Well, I am a couple of weeks into this...first ob was first sign that something was wrong, debilitating and painful! Spent 3 days in bed, unable to move without pain. Fever, aches, splitting migraine...absolutely miserable. A few days of feeling better, and it started all over again... This time ended up in the ER...diagnosed with "suspected HSV" what the heck does that mean? Meds to deal with the outbreak for 7 days, and something for the migraines. This thing is kicking my butt... and I think it has triggered menopause symptoms, which I have never had until the ob?!?!? I have not followed up with my DR because I am afraid of the answer, afraid it will make this real. I am newly divorced and this is like a death sentence...I feel like I am going to be alone for the rest of my life. The guy who gave this to me just ended our "relationship" and swears he didn't know he had it. I want to know how anyone can find anything to be positive about? I just don't see it...sorry.