Flowerteacher55

Hi!! I'm sorry that you are confused. It will be okay! Yes, HSV-1 can be transmitted from genital to genital contact, however there are a few factors that impact the transmission rates and risk. First, not as much research has been done to stud genital HSV-1, as it has really increased in recent decades and wasn't as documented previously. So, there may be cases of GHSV-1 spread via genital contact out there, but they may not be as documented! Second, those with vaginas are more likely to contract HSV in general because of biology. Also, the intensity of the GHSV-1 someone has can impact the likelihood that they could spread it. Some people have GHSV-1 with only one or two outbreaks their whole lives. Others may have regular outbreaks. Others may be asymptomatic. Regardless, transmission is possible, just let likely due to lower outbreak/viral shedding rates! So, is transmission of GHSV-1 to another's genitals possible? Yes. But, it is generally less likely than GHSV-2. Likelihood of transmission rates for both increase when condoms or safe-sex items aren't used, and generally for those with vaginas are more at risk to contract GHSV-1 and/or 2. So to answer your question, yes, but it's not likely, and other factor influence transmission likelihood or risk. I hope this helps!

Hi! I hope you are doing okay today. The sores in the pictures do look like herpes sores, especially the first picture (they look as if they have a white head/center, is that correct?) Also, did they burst open or leak at all, and then did they morph into looking like the second picture (more hollow/no more white center?). The heart spasm, sensitivity to light, and cognitive issues could be due to the lack of sleep, constant state of emotional and physical stress, and general anxiety. Did they check your heart and eyes when you went to the doctor? If things with your heart and/or eyes get worse, definitely head back to doctor. Those symptoms should not be ignored or dismissed by doctors at all! Let us know any updates. Stay strong-- you will make it through this and you are not in this alone! Also, if anyone can offer advice, please comment! Others as well as @Karl44 could benefit from your advice and support! 🙂 Thank you! Blessings to all!

Hello, I am so sorry that you received that shocking news. I cannot even imagine the stress you must feel. Please know you are not alone, and that we are here to help you. You will get through this! Stay strong! First, it's great that you took priority of your health and got checked for STIs, including HSV. Your IgG result of 3.0 is definitely positive, and it seems that because you've never had symptoms or sores you were aware of (they can be internal, although you would most likely feel some pain or discomfort), you may be asymptotic. This means that you do not show symptoms. Many people are asymptomatic, although the rates of it are higher in those with penises/binary males. You said that you were previously tested before for HSV. Do you know what your results were? Were they a low negative, a higher negative, or equivocal? Also, was it an IgG test? It is possible that your current partner may have given it to you. Have you been intimate with them for over 12 weeks? It takes 12+ weeks for antibodies to build up to detectable levels, and since your level was a high positive, it would seem that you contracted the virus sometime between the last time you were tested and at least 12 or more weeks ago. Has your partner even been tested for HSV, or have they ever mentioned having any issues down there? It must feel so scary to have to tell them, especially because you just found this out too! You are adjusting to knowing you have it, and its overwhelming. However, there are ways to disclose in a way that offer communication and peaceful, non-aggressive discussion. What you can do is script how you would like to tell him. Meanwhile, I would recommend not engaging in sexual activity until you tell him, since now that you know that you have it, it would be unethical to be intimate with him until he can make a choice if he wants to continue the relationship and/or intimacy. The right person won't be intimidated by the common virus. It doesn't have the power to break true love! ❤️ Herpes is a virus. You have no reason to feel ashamed. Hold your head high and be kind to yourself, even though it may feel very hard to do those things right now. Take time to process everything and grieve yourself, and then when you are ready sit down with him at a time without distractions, on a day that isn't stressful (as stress from other things can cause people to react in a way they normally wouldn't) and ask them to listen and ask questions at the end of what you have to say. Listening without judgement is essential! Feel free to draft some disclosure scripts and share them here if you would like feedback/advice. We are here to support you however you need! Sending blessings and prayers your way ❤️. -- Grace

Hello, Oh gosh. That is terrible! Do you happen to know what could have triggered the sudden and small outbreak? Also, have you seen your doctor? They may be able to explain the connections between chicken pox and HSV nerve damage! Yes, other herpesviruses in the Herpesvirus family can cause nerve pain and damage, so it is possible that your past exposure to them may be causing extra irritation. Viruses don't leave your body after symptoms go away, they stay there (such as chickenpox!). Yes, I definitely think that progress is being made with helping HSV. Let us pray that vaccines and other helpful advancements in HSV medicine and treatment exist soon! 🙂 Feel better!

Hello, I am so sorry that you are feeling so exhausted. Remember to take time for yourself. Be kind to yourself and take care of yourself mentally and physically. You deserve to be okay ❤️. Yes, Terri Warren is correct, the Western Blot is the ultimate test used for definitive results. You can get it by sending a blood sample to the University of Washington's Virology Clinic. All you need to do is call (or your doctor can call) 206-520-4600 to request the HSV Type-Specific Serology information packet. However, if you would like, I can call the Clinic tomorrow and ask them about it, too! Yes, it is really confusing and frustrating to get different answers form different health care providers! If you wanted to check out the test and learn more about it, here is a link: https://testguide.labmed.uw.edu/public/view/HSWB The University explains that... "HSV is diagnosed by testing for the virus from oral or genital lesions, or by testing the blood for HSV antibodies. When a lesion is present, it is always helpful to confirm it is due to HSV by doing a test for HSV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) or by viral culture from the lesion. A positive PCR or viral culture can by “typed” to determine if it is HSV-1 or HSV-2. Blood testing for HSV antibodies can be performed at any time during infection, even when there are no symptoms present. The antibodies may not develop until 2 months after someone has become infected. Antibody tests should be “type specific” and able to distinguish between HSV-1 and HSV-2. There are many commercially available type specific HSV antibody tests. However, some of these are limited by giving false positive results for HSV-2, particularly if someone is infected with HSV-1. The Western Blot, the “gold standard” HSV antibody test, is performed at the University of Washington." I hope that this helps. Sending prayers and happiness your way 🌻!

Hello, I am so sorry that you've been experiencing nerve pain. That sounds horrible! You don't deserve that at all! Antiviral medication is intended to stop or reduce viral shedding. The tingling can be caused by viral shedding, nerve damage, or even a lingering primary outbreak side effect. So, the medicine isn't a cure-all (I wish it was!!!) If it helps, you can try soothing your nerve bundle (base of spine) with ice packs or a heating pad. Also, the body is interesting in that it cannot feel pain and temperature at the same time (hence creams like IcyHot or Bengay) so this also may help with the discomfort as well as relax the nerve synapses! Also, how long have you had HSV? If you've been recently diagnosed, this would make sense to have some lasting discomfort, especially after a primary outbreak (especially severe ones). However, if you'd had it for a while and have experienced a few outbreaks, it sounds like it could be some neurological damage. Tingling can occur as a prodrome symptom as you said, however tingling during prodrome usually occur before an outbreak and indicates that the virus is shedding. The fact that this has been occuring randomly and even do months at a time indicates it's probably neurological misfirings caused by irritation from previous outbreaks, and not one giant long prodrome symptom (however, some of the tingling could certainly still indicate an outbreak, it's hard to differentiate the tingling!) I hope this helps! Sending prayers of healing and happiness your way 🌄

Hello Lisa! I hope you are well. I am so sorry about the confusing results. It can be really frustrating to not have a definite answer, and it's also frustrating when you are only diagnosed via a visual exam, and then when you give a sample the lab doesn't accept it (what happened with that? That sounds really annoying!) I wanted to clarify, are these IgG results? Your results are showing fluctuations, however they are in the negative range, but they do show a slight gradual increase from month to month. Remember, the baseline is 12 weeks, but for some people it can take even longer to build up a detectable amount of antibodies. For right now, keep a log of symptoms. Perhaps wait another one to two months and test again. I did some research and discovered the biological actions that the body takes to build immunity and antibodies. According to a 2020 article (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7350219/) from the US National Library of Medicine/National Institutes of Health Database online, "B-lymphocyte and the T-lymphocyte are the principal players of the adaptive immunity. The B-cells produce antibodies and mediates the humoral immune response while the T-cells oversee the cellular immune response." So, the key part in this is that B-cells produce antibodies. I am not a doctor, immunologist, or virologist, but maybe B-cells have something to do with the slow buildup of the antibodies? I honestly am not sure if this is helpful info to have, but it's some biology facts to think about! I hope this helps! Stay well and be kind to yourself 🙂! P.S.: Also, on another note, this article has really interesting information regarding the vaccine trials and research out there for HSV! So, feel free to check it out!

@89star Hi, again! I wanted to tell you that disclosure can be so hard. It is like a cloud looming above us, since we know that at some point we have to disclose. But, disclosure is a great thing! It is honesty, and radical acceptance of yourself. You have NO reason to be ashamed of yourself. Disclosure can actually be a tool that we can use to see the true heart of someone-- if they respond kindly, yay! If they respond disrespectfully, then they just showed who they really are, and you don't need a disrespectful and closed-minded person!! Disclosing is the ethical choice, as we have a duty to tell others before we are intimate with them. Scripting out a disclosure talk can be super helpful! There's plenty of resource on the site to help with scripting, too! I hope this helps. Stay strong!!

@89star Hello! I am so sorry that you are struggling. Please know that your feelings are valid and normal. There are stages of healing that happen differently for everyone. Some people are angry, then sad, then shameful, then apathetic... then finally, there is radical acceptance and unconditional self-love ❤️. Some people skip stages, some people feel all of them and everyone comes differently with emotions. However, find healthy ways to cope. Whether it's meditating, tapping, prayer, or exercise. Set aside time for you to release your anxieties and stress. It's okay to cry or be upset! Just remember that you deserve to heal and be happy, and that HSV does not have power unless we give it power. HSV is fueled by socially constructed stigma, and we have the power to break that stigma, every day by holding our heads high and loving ourselves! Love is stronger than anything life throws at us. I am a 22 year old white female, so I can empathize with being in your twenties and being a woman, but I don't know what it is like to be a woman of color with HSV, however others on the forum have mentioned similar struggles of intersectionality of being black and having HSV. You are a warrior! You are strong and can get through this. Please know you are not alone in your struggles. Things will be okay. We are all here for you! Sending prayers of happiness your way 🌄🌻, Grace

Hello @Toled, I am so sorry that you are experiencing those painful symptoms. That sounds truly terrible. Does it burn to hold it I'm/have a full bladder or does it hurt to pee, or does it hurt after peeing? Sores can occur inside the urethral, which can be very painful. After the sores heal, the skin is sensitive and they usually scab, and the acidity of urine causes such pain in the urethral cavity. Ever since I contacted HSV I have pain when I have a full bladder and a pinching feeling and deflated feeling when I empty my bladder. I don't know why or if this is directly related to my first outbreak, but the timing lines up. I hope you get a diagnosis soon!! Stay well and be kind to yourself 🌄. -- Grace

Hello! It's great to hear from you. I am so sorry that you are still struggling with symptoms and testing issues. According to Stanford Medicine (reliable resource!), "A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test may also be performed to determine whether the virus itself is present in the patient's blood. A sample of the patient's blood is taken and sent to a laboratory. If the virus' genetic makeup (DNA) is present, a positive diagnosis is made. The virus can even be detected during the latent stages of the infection." PCR tests are known for being very accurate, as they involve analyzing DNA to look for HSV-1 or 2 in a sample. What's actually interesting is a PCR test can be done using spinal fluid, taken from a spinal tap. There are two other testing types, a viral culture and a Immunofluorescence Assay (also known as the Western Blot). The Western Blot is used as a last resort for many who really believe they have HSV and just want a direct answer. Learn more about University of Washington's Virology Divisions, which preforms HSV research and the Western Blot Test by clicking these three links: 1. https://testguide.labmed.uw.edu/public/view/HSWB 2. https://depts.washington.edu/uwviro/ 3. https://depts.washington.edu/herpes/pages/hsv_resources The urination issues and bladder pain sound like there could be something going on internally. Have you had any CAT scans or Ultrasounds done to see how they are doing? Also, ultrasounds and CAT scans can be used to see the genital region (scrotum) as well. The bumps that randomly appear sound like they could be epidermoid cysts, especially if they feel like there is something 'under' your skin that is hard. Also, your symptoms of frequent urination and scrotum pain and swelling and redness sounds like it could be epididymitis, which can occur when exposed to an STI, mainly gonorrhea and chlamydia, which you tested negative for previously. However, I wonder if it could have been triggered by the HSV exposure, if you do indeed have HSV. I am so so sorry that you are experiencing all of this. Please know that you are still lovable! Everything will be okay. Hang in there and stay kind to yourself! Blessings, Grace

Hello! Oh gosh, that's wonderful that those tests all came back negative! I actually had mononucleosis two years ago, and I think I got it from being intimate with someone. The actually call mononucleosis "kissing disease" because it spreads that easily!! It's also common among college-aged people (since they live in close quarters and are often physically intimate with others, etc). Mononucleosis and Epstein Barr can cause swollen glands and neck issues, as well as neuropathy and nerve pain. Getting tested for those might give some answers, but those still don't explain the STI symptoms. Contracting HSV at two sites definitely could cause your symptoms, as oral and genital HSV primary symptoms can include gland swelling, flu-like symptoms, and the skin rash symptoms you have described. So, it could be a very extreme primary response to having contracted the virus. I'm sorry that the healthcare in the UK isn't as helpful as is needed. There have been many other people on the forum who have described similar issues with access to testing in the UK. Since you are still showing symptoms, you could see if you. Would get an IgM test when you get back to Canada. Then when you reach the 12 weeks mark, get the IgG. Of course, you can only get to Canada if you get your second dose, which bring me to my next point to address! I completely forgot that the Moderna vaccine is not the weakened virus, but programmed mRNA code. That's actually great, because perhaps it won't worsen symptoms too badly; plus your body already has received the first shot. Did you have any adverse reactions to the first shot? What you may need is to take Tylenol or Motrin (ask a doctor, or your primary care doctor if you can call them from the UK, what they reccomend before taking it) the first few days after getting the shot, and it might help ease the symptoms you are already experiencing. Obviously, you don't want to fully mask symptoms, especially a fever if you have one, since that can be very dangerous. Then, when you get back to Canada, you can make an appointment with your primary care doctor ASAP (hopefully before graduation, and congrats on graduating 🎓!). I hope this all helps!! Sending Blessings your way 🌄

Hi!! Don't apologize at all! Asking questions is so important, never feel bad for asking questions, especially questions about your health! It is really frustrating when test result say "inconclusive" because it's not a yes and it's not a no, it's like "maybe...?🤷🏼‍♀️" which is just so frustrating! The 1.18 score is .08 above the positive mark, but this possibly could be because the IgM antibodies are starting to decrease in number (as it has been 5 weeks since the start of the symptoms of the infection). However, I'm not a doctor and I do not know the rate of antibody decrease as time passes! You could ask a doctor or virologist. IgM tests can produce false results, which is why getting the IgG test at the 12+ weeks mark is so important. It is difficult to wait that long, but it's worth it. In the mean time until then take note of any changes in symptoms and document any triggers of outbreaks or symptoms, and if you experience burning, tingling, muscle aches, etc. You can write this in a calendar book or on a piece of paper. It can be helpful keep to see patterns and identify triggers to avoid or be aware of for the future, if this is indeed HSV. Documenting symptoms and changes also helps doctors think of possible diagnoses if this turns out no to be HSV. I hope this helps! 🌄 Stay strong! Be kinder to yourself. You are a blessing ❤️🦋🌻.

Hi, Lula! I am so sorry that things continue to be difficult. It is so great that you confided in your mother and that she can be on your team as you navigate your health and find a diagnosis. I also have hormone issues with my period, however mine are emotional, as I think I have PMDD and am currently on birth control to see if it will regulate hormones (it doesn't seem to be working but I hope it does!). It's great that the antibiotic seems to be helping, but the worsening of the inflammation and white dot rash of the vulva sounds like a bacterial or viral infection of some sort, which hopefully the biopsy will explain. I am praying for you! Stay strong and be kind to yourself. You can do this! We are cheering for you ❤️🌄. Reach out for advice or if you just need someone to talk to! We are all here for you. 🦋 Blessings, Grace

Hello! I am so sorry that you've been under such emotional and physical stress. I cannot even imagine how it felt to contract this after 15 years of exclusive marriage! Herpes can lay dormant, partners can be asymptomatic and/or may not have frequent outbreaks, or by chance you never contracted it until recently! Regardless, please know that everything will be okay. ❤️ Do you know if your husband has been tested to see what type he has, and/or have you been tested to see what type you have? If this is a primary infection, you'll need to wait 12+ weeks from the date of when you first noticed the symptoms to get an IgG blood test to determine the type of HSV you have. In terms of periods and herpes... It can be just terrible. When I had my first outbreak of GHSV-1, I had my period and a sinus infection, and I was just such a mess. Sores can be irritated by urine (it's acidic so it burns sores) and period discharge and blood can irritate sores because it can stick to them, and wiping hurts sores in general. If it helps, you can urinate in the shower and let the water clean off down there so you don't need to wipe the period blood. Also, I do not necessarily reccomend using tampons while having an outbreak, as sores can actually be inside the vaginal cavity. Pads may cause additional chafing for the sores, however. You may have to try different pads or liners and see what is most comfortable for you. Or, if you get a very light period, you can choose a pair of underwear that you don't really like and make it your "period undies" and not wear a pad with those to help prevent chafing of sores. Will they stain? Of course. But it's better than dealing with the pain from period supplies, especially if your period is light enough that you do not need to use supplies. Another thing is that period hormones can actually trigger herpes outbreaks, especially for those with HSV-2. I hope this helps. Please know that you aren't alone, and that we are all here to support you and answer any questions you may have. Stay well and be kind to yourself! You can make it through this! 🌄 Sending Blessings of health and happiness your way 💐!! -- Grace

Hello! Sorry for the delayed reply! Thank you for sharing your story with us. I am so sorry about the mental and physical pain you have been experiencing for months. That is truly terrible. You don't deserve this at all! The symptoms you are describing sound like much more than balanitis, as they include neurological symptoms, such as the shooting pains and sensitivity to light. The inflammation, swelling, redness, and pain in the genitals indicate some sort of infection or inflammatory response. The stiffness of the neck and sensitivity to light does sound like meningitis or mononucleosis; have you been tested for either of these? The fact that the symptoms have persisted for months is not good at all, and obviously indicates that something else is going on. Have you been tested for syphilis? Syphilis has 4 stages, and the symptoms you are describing line up with stages 1-2, although usually symptoms don't appear for a while, as symptoms can even occur years after contracting it! However, it's worth getting tested. Syphilis also can lead to aseptic meningitis, which is life-threatening. From all these symptoms, especially the stiffness of neck, sensitivity to light, and continued inflammation, it really sounds like there is an infection present in the body. It would be a great idea to get a spinal tap done, as it shows possible infection in the central nervous system. This is a great diagnostic tool to test for syphilis and other neurological illness indicators. A blood test also would be helpful. Also, you should get tested for Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV), as they can cause oral rashes/sores and impact the nervous system, too. In terms of herpes... Your symptoms could be herpes related, but the fact that these symptoms have been occuring for months is a red flag even if this is HSV. Also, did you happen to take antivirals, and of so, did you notice any improvement? I hope that this all helps. I really do reccomend getting tested for Mononucleosis, Meningitis, EBV, CMV, Syphilis, and even getting a spinal tap to help get a clear diagnosis. You don't deserve to be in pain! Advocate for yourself to doctors-- you deserve to get a diagnosis and clarity! ❗❗❗ IMPORTANT!: While I am a huge supporter of the vaccine, you may want to push off the second vaccine dose and reschedule it, as introducing another dose of a virus into your body while it is obviously struggling to fight off some sort of infection is not a good idea, especially since your neck is stiff (stiff neck indicates infection and possible lymph node swelling, and you do NOT want to overwork your immune system!!!). Before getting the second vaccine dose, you really want to check and see what virus or bacterial infection you may have. Your body is showing a major response and introducing the next covid vaccine may really really cause suffering and am overworking of the body. Get those tests, try to get a diagnosis, and make sure symptoms improve before getting that vaccine. Note: I am NOT a medical doctor! I would definitely consult a virologist and neurologist in Canada or the UK (wherever you will be, and get a referral from your doctor if needed) and talk to them about testing, symptoms, etc. Ask them about the vaccine and what they reccomend and express your concerns and ask questions! Your health matters! Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself! 🌄 I am praying for you. If you need any support or just someone to talk to, feel free to reach out or post on the forum. You are not alone 💛. Be kind to yourself and try to get some rest. Document symptoms, make sure you're eating and drinking fluids, and get those tests/see a virologist/neurologist ASAP!! Sending Blessings of health and happiness your way 🌄! -- Grace

Hi!!! I am cooking dinner for my family at the moment and am also running out the door to grab a pizza 😂 but I wanted to let you know I will respond to your post soon, I just wanted to have time to sit down and really answer your questions!! Please know that it will be okay 🌻 I am praying for you! Be kind to yourself 💗 I'll reply back soon!!

Hi! I hope you've been feeling better. It's great you got tested. Any IgM score of 1.10 or higher indicates a current or recent infection of HSV. Your score of 1.18 indicates a positive score. In medical testing, the term "reagent" doesn't mean what we think it does: it sounds like it means "activating again" but it actually is a substance that is mixed with your blood to form a reaction to detect the amount of IgM antibodies you have in that sample of blood. So, I think that perhaps the "(reagent)" note next to your score of 1.18 if referring to how the test was preformed, not saying it I a reoccurring infection. I hope that makes sense! Also, I'm not a medical professional, so what you can do is call the place that took the blood sample and ask them to explain your results to you. The issue with IgM tests is that they cannot distinguish the type of HSV infection you were recently infected with. IgG tests can, but you would have to wait another 7 or more weeks before you are tested for that again. So, it seems that because your IgM scores are positive, this is a recent infection, since non-primary infections wouldn't result in a positive IgM score. I hope this helps!! Blessings 🌄🌼

Hello Lula! I am so sorry that you are struggling with all the physical pain and emotional stress. You don't deserve that at all 🥺! Being in a situation where a doctor is unsure what is going on definitely can cause us to feel scared, since we look to doctors to diagnose us! She wants to do a tissue sample to get a better idea of what is going on, and I suggest going forward with the test when you have sufficient funds. It may provide an answer! In terms of the symptoms you describes, the cut you first noticed could have been thrush (little fissures or cuts on the inner and outer labia areas and it actually caused by candida yeast overgrowth). Thrush also can cause burning, itching, redness, and clumpy white discharge. However, your symptoms of the lesions that oozed yellow goo that crusted over, the tingling, flu-like symptoms, watery discharge, and pain line up with HSV. However, the fact that the symptoms have been going on for two weeks is obviously not a good sign, and the symptoms aren't clearing up with the antivirals, so this is why the doctor is thinking a tissue sample needs to be taken. The consistent burning, itching, and discharge can be explained by the BV that your doctor discovered. Have you noticed any improvement since taking the antibiotics? The increased white blood cells detected in your urine indicate your body is fighting an infection of some sort, whether viral or bacterial. Your doctor could also do an IgM herpes blood test to see if you possibly were recently infected with HSV, considering your partner has it. Also, your doctor could take bloodwork and check different vitamin levels, white blood cell count, and antibody counts, too! It sounds like you may have more than one thing going on simultaneously, and they could be playing off each other (the burning and itching from one is worsening the symptoms of the other, and vise versa). I reccomend getting the biopsy done, as it could really help see what is going on. Also, ask your doctor to take blood for an IgM test to see if this is an early infection of HSV. Furthermore, keep your doctor updated about any changes, and take note if the antibiotics are showing signs of improvement with any of your symptoms. It is so scary to not know what is going on, but an answer will arrive! Sometimes medical diagnoses takes some 'detective work'. Also we have to be our own advocates and really advocate for the testing and medical support we need, even if a doctor may not agree right away or at all. We know our bodies best! Don't be afraid to question your doctor or ask for a test! I hope you feel better and get a diagnosis! I am praying for you! It will be okay. Take care of yourself and be kind to yourself ❤️🌻🌄! Blessings, Grace

Hello, @TheBomb! I hope you are well! This is a great topic of conversation, as many people have asked and wonder about the correlation of diet and lysine intake and outbreak occurrences and severity. I am also vegan, and have been vegan for about 11 years (since I was about 11 years old). I have GHSV-1, and have had it since March of 2019. Since my first huge outbreak, I have only had two other outbreaks, which were so minor I did not take my antiviral and just let them go away on their own, and for one of them I just put a little dot of natural lysine cream on the sore to stop chafing and burning. Every person is different. What you could do is do an experiment of sorts. First, you need baseline data. This is data that is what you will use as the comparison amount. Baseline data can be taken starting now. Write down how many outbreaks you've had since outbreak 1. Write if you had any symptoms without outbreaks, too, such as itching or burning. then, for a month or two, take notes (daily log) of symptoms and outbreaks while staying vegan and incorporating more lysine-rich vegan foods into your diet. Obviously, don't overdo it, since anything in the extreme isn't good for the body! Some foods include: tofu, soy milk, lentils, beans, and avocados. Then, take out high arginine foods (such as chocolate... but honestly I eat vegan chocolate chips almost every night straight out of the bag 😂). Also, document your mood and energy levels as well as physical changes, too! If you are showing improvement, yay! Stick with the vegan diet, just stay conscious of your lysine intake, and if needed you could even take a lysine supplement and stay conscious of foods high in arginine. Let's say you are still having regular outbreaks after this (I pray not!!) Then, for one-two months, incorporate high lysine non-vegan foods such as eggs into your diet. Cage-free, organic eggs are a more ethical choice. Again, log your mental and physical changes. if things still aren't moving in the right direction, try dishes such as sardines or cod. Line-caught organic fish are sustainable options. Again, log your mental and physical changes. You said you are allergic to milk/dairy, so refrain from this, since the allergic reactions could stress the body more and actually possibly cause more outbreaks, as stress is a trigger! The only thing with incorporating non-vegan foods after being vegan for a while, especially a long time, is that it may cause some digestion issues, as your body isn't used to eating eggs or meat. Also, if.youvebeen strictly vegan for years, your body can actually develop intolerances to non-vegan foods, or allergic reactions to them, which is really interesting! I actually developed a severe anaphylaxis response to dairy after being vegan for a few years and then trying dairy again for the first time. ❗Before starting your dietary changes, talk to your doctor about it. Tell your doctor you plans and make a plan with them; perhaps checking in in-person once a month while trying the food experiment. Also, make sure you ask them about appropriate portions of lysine to consume for someone of your height and weight and age, and possible impacts of lysine and arginine levels of too high or too low. May you be blessed with health and happiness, and thank you for being conscious to animals and the planet!! 🐄🌻🐖🌏 -- Grace

Hello, @Lvsandy! I hope you are well. I am so sorry that you are feeling stressed from worrying about the vaccine. Please know that it can trigger outbreaks for some, but not all, people. If you are worried it will trigger an outbreak for you, make sure to have antivirals on hand. Have lysine cream available, and have a spray bottle of ice water available for going to the bathroom to soothe burning. Preparedness can help ease worry and can help an outbreak cause less suffering of one is to occur! To prevent the likelihood of an outbreak, you could get one of the two-dose vaccines (Moderna or Pfizer). It may seem like two shots is worse than one, but actually the two dose shots are less concentrated (instead of one shot that really makes you feel so sore and sick afterwards, there's two less-intense doses that still can cause tiredness and soreness and sick-symptoms but generally not as intense as the one-shot Johnson&Johnson vaccine). I hope this helps! Stay well. 🌄 Blessings, Grace

Hello, I hope you are well. This is a great question, and it brings up a really great topic of alternative options if someone cannot take antivirals. It's great that you care so much about your partner. Does your partner have HSV, or are you worried what would happen if she did get HSV (since she wouldn't be able to take antivirals)? She could definitely ask a nephrologist (kidney doctor), or she could ask her general doctor to refer her to one, to ask questions to. Also, she could consult a pharmacist, they they know how drugs react specifically in the body and who they are and are not safe for, or if antivirals could react with a medicine she may already be taking. I hope this helps! Hopefully others who have familiarity or experience in this will respond! Blessings, Grace

Hi! It is great that you talked to your previous partner. There is power and strength in honesty! In terms of HSV testing, here are possible scenarios: 1. Positive IgM, Negative IgG: this means your infection is recent. IgM antibodies are produced during early stages of infection and then decrease in number as IgG antibodies build up. 2. Negative IgM, Positive IgG: this means your infection was 12+ more weeks ago and that your body has build up antibodies to the virus. 3. Negative IgM, Negative IgG: this would mean that your infection is recent, but not too recent (since IgM antibodies occur during early stages of when first infected). Also, negative IgG would indicate your body has not yet built up detectable levels of antibodies yet (it can take 12 weeks or longer). Positive IgM and IgG: this isn't really common or possible unless you already had one type of HSV and then contracted another (IgM for the newly contracted strain and then IgG for the one you already had). You don't need to necessarily worry about this combination of test results! Your former partner should get IgG tested again (12+ weeks from the last time you were intimate) for his own health and wellbeing. Although he was previously tested, the test could have produced a false negative and/or he had the wrong test at the wrong time (IgM too late or IgG too early). Remember that feelings of guilt and shame are manifestations of fear, and you have nothing to be ashamed of. This is not your fault. You are more than your HSV! Remind yourself of those truths when you feel overwhelmed by fear and guilt. You can and will make it through this!! 🌻 Blessings 🌄!

Hello, Okay, it seems like there are a few factors that could be contributing to this facial rash. Is the contraceptive a hormonal pill? Have you looked into side effects of the birth control you are taking? The extreme itch and the pus and drying out sounds like HSV, but it also could be another type of dermatological rash. I am going to do some research on facial rashes that match your description and get back to you. I am praying for you! Stay strong!

Hello, I am so sorry that you experiencing this, as I am sure it is anxiety-causing. Herpes can infect the face, however it typically infects areas that have a mucous membrane (eyes, lips, mouth, nostrils). Facial skin on exterior of the cheeks, chin, and forehead do not have mucous membranes (although it still is semi permeable and can be hypothetically infected). Do you have sores in your mouth or nose? Or just on your cheeks? The spots in the picture are clustered, and seem to be dimpled (little crevasse in the center), as well has appear to have a substance inside them. Is that accurate? If so, it could be HSV. Also, if the sores have been going through stages or changes, it could be HSV. However, acne and other facial blemishes are also common, especially when someone is under stress or is experiencing hormonal changes. Have you ever experienced facial acne like this before? Also, have you tried any new facial or beauty products that may have caused an allergic reaction? I hope this helps! If you felt it would help, you could go a clinic or your doctor and ask them to take a sample of the sores (especially if you notice they are leaking a substance or are getting worse). If you wanted the swab test, you should get to the doctor ASAP as they are only really helpful within the first 48 hours of the sores being present. Sending prayers of health and happiness your way! 🌄