Flowerteacher55

Hello, I am so sorry that you are struggling. Please know everything will be okay ❤️ It sounds like the antivirals are not working. Have you talked to your doctor about your frequent outbreaks and your new outbreak occurring on your genitals? Sometimes the body has a negative reactions to HSV and the body struggles to fight it off and keep it at bay. Ice or heat can help soothe the nerves, and there is also lysine cream than can help heal blisters. Be kind to yourself and stay strong! We are here for you ❤️ Blessings and Prayers, grace

Hello! I hope you're well. This is a great question. The effectiveness of antiviral medication is different for each person. There are three types of antivirals used for HSV: Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, and Famcyclovir. Some work for some folks, others don't. It all depends! You can explain to your doctor that the Acyclovir isn't working and ask your doctor about trying another one. In terms of creams, there is a topical antiviral cream that you can get to help the sores, however you may need your doctor to write you a prescription for it. There is also lysine cream which helps reduce pain and itching. I hope this helps! Blessings to you!! ☀️🌼 grace

Hi! Let go of your worries. It'll all be okay! It's great you are looking into everything and that you care about your health. Let us know when you get the blood results!! Blessings! ☀️🌻

Hello! I hope you had a good week! I have had GHSV-1 for about three years now and have only had 4 outbreaks (including my first big one). My second, third, and fourth outbreaks were much smaller (only about one to two sores). I didn't have any prodrome symptoms for the third and fourth outbreaks but I did for the second one. For the third and fourth outbreaks, I just looked down and noticed a sore one day. I didn't take antivirals for the third and fourth outbreaks either because they were so small and I wasn't intimate with anyone at that time. You will get to know your body's responses to HSV, don't worry! Stay positive and be kind to yourself. You can still have a happy and spontaneous sex life with your partner! If anything, HSV can make us appreciate intimacy and value it even more. A primary outbreak can be a lot for the body to handle, so it is normal to still feel not the best down there after the sores clear up. The white bumps could be fordyce spots (harmless bumps as a result of glands) or perhaps just your body healing from the sores. Sometimes the new skin that the body grows after sores disappear is much lighter in color than the surrounding skin. If you are concerned, you can always see an OBGYN or dermatologist. I hope this helps! Please reach out with any other questions or concerns 🙂 !! Blessings!! ❤️

Also, it can be hard to trust test results because we know there is always that chance that the results are wrong. However, think positive and stay hopeful! 🙂❤️ the accuracy rate of IgG blood tests for herpes are usually 94% accurate, and have a false negative rate of up to 38% and a false positive rate of up to 19%. The fact that it has been a year since your last sexual encounter helps with testing, because it can take 12+ weeks for IgG antibodies to show up on a test. Read more about testing here! https://stdcenterny.com/herpes-testing.html#:~:text=The IgG test is about,50% false-negative results.

Hello, I hope you are doing okay. For some people, they feel side effects when using Valacyclovir or Acyclovir. Not every drug is suitable for every person! It's great you were honest with your doctor and they switched the medication for you. Keep track of how it makes you feel. If neither work for you, you could try Famciclovir, another antiviral for HSV. Stay well and be kind to yourself! Blessings! 🙂

Hello, Thanks for reaching out. I'm sure so many people share this worry, so you bringing this up is helping so many people! Thank you! What type of STI testing did you get (blood and urine or just blood) and do you know what they were testing for? As a basic reference... The following STIs are usually detected via urine: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichinosis, yeast infection The following STIs are detected via blood: Syphilis, HIV, HSV/Herpes, Hepatitis B and C The following STIs are detected via a swab of the cervix: HPV Have you ever had any symptoms of anything before? If you are worried about herpes specifically, please know the facts: if someone has HSV and you are intimate with them, the percent of them passing it to you is already lower than you think. The risk for HSV-2 positive men passing it to a woman is 5% with the use of a condom and the risk for a HSV-2 positive woman to pass it to a man is 2% with the use of a condom. Remember, if you test positive for any STI, it isn't a reflection of who you are as a person. Getting STIs is honestly a normal (and not fun) part of being sexually active. Some people never get one, some people do. It's okay and normal and your life is not over! If you do have herpes and you contracted it a year ago, it is possible that it would appear in an IgG blood test. If you come back positive for herpes, it should tell you the type. If you do have herpes, it's not the end of the world. about 2/3 of the world has oral HSV-1, and around 12-13% of the world has HSV-2. There have been increasing rates of genital HSV-1 as a result of increased oral sex rates in today's society. However, please know that you are safe and will live a happy life regardless of what the test says. Stay well and be kind to yourself. Please reach out with any other questions or if you need support! Sending blessings and prayers your way for a negative STI report! 🙂 Blessings, grace

Hello! Hooray! I am so happy to hear such happy news! You deserve to be happy ❤️ Stay well and may your relationship blossom and be happy!! Blessings to you! ❤️🙂 grace

Hello!! Thanks for the extra information! The symptoms you were explaining with the first outbreak do line up with HSV, and yes, canker sores do look a lot like an HSV sore (and they hurt like them, too!). The fact that you tried Valtrex and didn't help much may mean it isn't HSV, but not all folks respond well to antivirals, so that isn't the only indicator to examine. It's great that you saw the OBGYN. Did they say what the cause of the dermatitis could be linked to? You could also try taking out things from your diet to see if your cuts go away. For example, cut out alcohol for a month, the next month take out dairy or whatever else you think could be the cause, etc. You could also try switching up soaps, too! @AlliKat12 Thank you so much for your input and advice! I'm glad the blisters went away. I'm sorry the cuts are still there. It could be from so many things, so it's a great idea to get tested for all of it. Try seeing a dermatologist if you can, too, to gain insight from their expertise and perspective! Blessings to you both! ❤️

Hi Again! Oops, I forgot to address the recurrence of the cuts! Sorry! Does it seem like anything triggers the cuts to appear? Are you using a product or eating something and then you have the outbreaks? Keep a log of what you are using or eating and log outbreaks as well, and see if there are any patterns occurring. Data is helpful for you and to show to doctors, too! 🙂 Also, have you been to a dermatologist or OBGYN, or just a regular doctor? Blessings!

Hello! Please know that you are going to be okay ❤️ Many folks have described the cuts/fissures you are describing. There is hope! First, which genitals do you have, and where on your genitals do the cuts appear? When you have the cuts, do you experience any other symptoms? When you had the first outbreak of these cuts, did you have any other symptoms before or during when the cuts appeared? What did the doctor think it was when they diagnosed it, and did they offer any solutions to help it? Candida or Thrush: From what you are describing, it is possible that the fissures are from a yeast or fungal infection of the skin. Thrush is another possible answer for all genitalia. I was doing some reading and research and it seems those who are uncircumcised are more likely to experience Candida or bacterial infections which can cause paper-like cuts. Recurrent Fissuring: If you have a vagina and the fissure occurs around the enternace of the vagina, it could be recurrent fissuring, previously known as vulvar granuloma fissuratum. A few things can cause this, including vulvovaginitis from Candida yeast (thrush), HSV, atrophic vulvovaginitis, contact dermatitis from irritants or allergy, seborrhoeic dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, lichen simplex, aphthous ulceration, and lichen sclerosus. Some people may also get tearing in this area from childbirth or pelvic floor muscle tension. Read more about symptoms here: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/recurrent-fissuring-of-posterior-fourchette I hope this helps! Blessings of happiness and health to you! 🙂 grace

Of course I can't say it's 100% impossible for transmission to occur, but you should be safe, don't worry. I worry all the time and I have to remind myself of all the facts and realities to help myself calm down🥰❤️ If you ever need more support, feel free to ask your questions here ☘️☀️ Blessings!! 🌻☀️

Hi! Have no fear ❤️ All is well. Never feel bad about asking questions! There usually is someone who has the same question but is afraid to ask! The fact that it wasn't skin to skin contact (cream isn't skin!) and you washed your hands right away and the skin of the hand is thick and hard for the virus to penetrate and you have antibodies to protect you all means that you should be perfectly safe. Look at all those "ands"! Don't worry about it 🙂 Blessings to you! ❤️ grace

Hi! Of course, we are always here for you ❤️ Definitely sounds like it could be the perfect storm! Good for you for taking priority of your health and getting back into fitness. Be kind to yourself and take it slow and build up gradually to what you used to do! Congrats on your partner taking the BAR exam! I'm sure he passed! Let us know what happens at the appointment Thursday! Praying for you! ❤️

Hello! Sorry for the delay in replying. I hope you are well. I'm so sorry you've been struggling with this. Have you had any health changes at all (such as illness)? Sometimes that can trigger outbreaks. Stress can also trigger them. Sometimes people experience sudden extreme outbreaks due to hormones, stress, illness, injury, friction, activity, and so many other factors. Your situation is not unheard of, don't worry! Have you tried another type of antiviral? Sometimes the body gets used to one type so it is good to change it up 🙂 I hope this helps! Sending blessings and prayers of happiness and healing your way 🌻 grace

Hello! I am so happy that you are feeling better ❤️ Please feel free to reach out anytime! Be kind to yourself always ❤️ In regards to deleting your post, most people who use this site never actually post anything, and instead get their support through reading threads from other folks like you! 🙂 You would be helping so many others by keeping your thread. However, if you still would like it deleted, we can make that happen! Let me know what you would prefer! Blessings to you! grace

Hello! Please know that this isn't your fault. You did everything right and were honest in disclosing. Please know this isn't your fault and you aren't a bad human ❤️ The way people treat us is a reflection of THEM. From my perspective: I am a 23 year old female. I think in isolation (if we are just looking at this): it was great of her to be open about everything and address the fact that she needs time to cool off before speaking to you because she "might not be kind." Taken OUT of isolation with the entire situation... THE IRONY of this is just bananas. If that's what she thought, then why did she send a "not kind" text like that? Actions speak louder than words. When someone says they don't want to hurt your feelings, but then goes ahead and sends a very confusing and emotional break-up text to someone they've been dating three months, it honestly is not respectful and is hurtful and exemplifies their true feelings and behavior. It seems she is angry at herself, and she is displacing this anger to you. If she is angry at herself, she needs to handle that herself. She seems to be resentful and angry at herself (and perhaps at you but she may feel bad about being angry at you, so she then is more angry at herself, and it spirals) and is taking it out on you. Regardless, it's just not okay! I am so sorry you had this experience. Whether she intended to make you feel guilty or sad or confused or not, she definitely did not handle this in a mature way that was considerate of your feelings. A relationship involves caring about the feelings of another, through thick or thin, and in a sensitive situation like this, she really could have been more gentle and not so aggressive. A better alternative would have been to examine her symptoms, contact either her doctor or you and explain the symptoms and ask if this is most likely HSV, get tested, and grieve or process the results in a mature and appropriate way that did not confuse or offend you. Then, if she chose to end the relationship, she could have called, or seen you in person (the best route). If anything, situations like this show us a lot about others; how they handle stress, how they handle emotions, how they communicate, etc. If she ignores your text and still hasn't answered, you could call her or send her a message saying your sorry the relationship ended this way and you wish her the best, and if you need to, you can include that, although she was upset, her message was not considerate of your feelings, or whatever you felt/feel. You deserve someone emotionally-mature and kind. Please know you are not alone, and this situation has sadly happened to so many people. However, it helps sort through the bag of trail mix, picking out the cruddy raisins and rotten almonds (people who aren't our soul mates), and finding the amazing chocolate chip at the bottom of the bag (our soul mate!). I hope this helps. Please reach out to vent or if you have any other questions or thoughts. Be kind to yourself and shake off the negative energy. You deserve to be happy and well and be with those who build you up, not tear you down. Sending blessings and prayers of happiness to you! 🙂 grace

Hi!! I hope you are feeling okay ❤️ Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us! In regards to how you may have gotten GHSV-1, it is most likely from receiving oral sex from your partner. Many people don't even know they have oral HSV-1, some people have it since childhood, and others have cold sores/fever blisters and they don't realize that this is HSV and is transmissible to others (through oral sex or kissing). Has he ever had cold sores before? He could get a blood test to see if he has HSV-1. If he has HSV-1, he has the antibodies for it, which means the body can protect itself from infection elsewhere (such as the genitals). It is hypothetically possible to get the same strain in two different locations on the body, and the risk is higher for those with autoimmune illnesses or those on immunosuppressant medication. If these do not apply to him, then everything should be okay! Of course, still avoid intimacy when you are experiencing symptoms or an outbreak. This leads to the question How do I know if I am having an outbreak...?!?! which can be so frustrating. However, rest assured that you are symptomatic and you will most likely know when you are having an outbreak, which is good! What symptoms did you have prior to your first outbreak? These symptoms will most likely reoccur (at a less intensity) when you have your future outbreaks. For me (I also have GHSV-1), my first outbreak consisted of intense burning and itching and pain, but my later outbreaks honestly weren't even noticeable. I just looked down and saw a sore and was like, "oh alright then." While I didn't get any precursors, others may get prodrome symptoms like burning, itching, fatigue, redness, etc. In your case, because you started taking the medication, it is possible that the antivirals helped to stop a full on outbreak from happening. So, it's possible that the redness and white bumps are an outbreak, and it's so minor because of the antivirals taken immediately when symptoms arose after your COVID diagnosis. Also, perhaps because your body is healing from COVID, your immune system wasn't as strong to fight the outbreak from occurring 100%, so the white bumps and redness appeared. Your body is working in overdrive when you are sick, so try to take it easy and rest ❤️ I would abstain from intimacy in the genital area for right now until it goes away. Plus, engaging in intimacy may trigger or worsen the redness and bumps and cause an outbreak (if this wasn't one already). Remember, there are so many other ways to be intimate with your partner! Get creative and feel happy ❤️🙂 !! On a side note to our friends here on the forum, rashes are a side effect from COVID! I tested positive for COVID almost three weeks ago, and I got very weird symptoms. Apparently with the new strain, people have been getting rashes, ranging from hives (that's what I had randomly all over my body), to dots similar to that of chicken pox or shingles, to bumps of sorts (I had weird bumps all over my forehead and cheeks that weren't acne but instead just looked like little bumps that didn't have a head/center). My doctor said that these rashes with COVID are actually normal. Some people get them prior to symptoms and others get them during or after. I also have had very odd neurological symptoms (half my body randomly gets tingles at random spots) and my doctor said that the new strain also impacts the nervous system. Honestly just very bizarre! I hope this all helps. Please know that you will not need to constantly evaluate yourself with a mirror every day. You are safe ❤️ Be kind to yourself! Sending blessings of healing and happiness your way! 🙂❤️ grace

Hello, Thanks for keeping us updated! Yes, it wouldn't make sense for the doctor to prescribe the month of antivirals if he didn't think it could be HSV. Hypothetically the results could be giving a false positive, but 6 out of 6 tests coming back positive and the antivirals working for you does make it seem like it's HSV. You are correct that other things can mimic HSV, and of course it is possible to have more than one thing going on (folliculitis and HSV, for example). Stay kind to yourself and observe your symptoms to see if anything triggers outbreaks and what makes them better. You will get through this and you will be okay. We are here for you! Keep us updated! Blessings ☀️🕊️

Hi!! Oh my friend, I am so sorry 🥺 It's great the bleeding isn't as heavy. If you feel worse or bleeding gets worse head to the ER. How many days have you been bleeding? Also, are you supposed to be getting your period around this time? Or do you think the bleeding came solely from the Boric acid? I am so sorry that he acted that way. That's honestly immature and just disrespectful. You NEVER have to prove yourself to anyone. You are perfect just the way you are, and if someone doesn't see that or is manipulative, that's on them. You can ask him to delete the videos of you guys, unless you think it'll make things worse. I've been in similar situations and it can be scary and anxiety producing to know someone has video or images of you. Most people, when asked, will delete them out of respect. However, there are some people who are just spiteful and cruel and asking makes things worse. Regardless, please know you aren't bad and you have nothing to feel bad about. You deserve respect and kindness and respect ❤️ and you will find someone who gives you that and all that you deserve. Stay well and be kind to yourself. Keep us updated about your health! Blessings and prayers ☀️💛 !!

Hello! First, take a deep breath. Everything will be alright. ❤️ HSV does not live in body fluids. It is passed through skin to skin contact with an infected area when the virus is shedding. However, body fluids can act as a method of transportation, if that makes sense. The virus could transport via body fluids if the fluids wash over them, but they do not live in body fluids themselves. When you had the really bad outbreak after the cut on your clitoris, did you have sex while symptoms were still present (when you said 2-3 weeks prior to Wednesday)? The Boric acid probably didn't help, and it likely wouldn't do anything for HSV since it is an antibacterial (and HSV is a virus). Also, I looked up the side effects of Boric acid and it can cause heavy bleeding for some women. ***** If you are still bleeding, go to an emergency room ASAP because the heavy bleeding can cause severe hemorrhaging. You also should call your OBGYN and update them about the bleeding from the Boric acid, and you should get evaluated by them as well to make sure there were no other side effects! I'm sorry that he wasn't understanding and you cried in the bathroom 😞. He shouldn't have said "then you shouldn't have had sex with me"... that's not nice and frankly he doesn't seem to understand the emotional stress that HSV can give someone. Also, you were upset for HIS SAKE! He should have been appreciative! Remember, the way people treat us is a reflection of THEM, not of us. I'm so happy you don't have any tingling or anything and that you can still run 3 miles (🙂 good for you!) If he ignores you, that's on him. You did your part being honest about HSV and caring about his well-being. If he chooses to be a chump, that's on him. Focus on your own health and well-being. You matter! ❤️ Reach out if you have any other questions or need any support. Sending blessings and prayers to you ❤️ !!! grace

Hi, Thanks so much for the clarification. I didn't know that HSV-2 required Valacyclovir (Valtrex)! I hope your exam goes well. Keep us updated! ❤️ Praying for you!

Hello, I am so sorry that you've been experiencing such emotional and physical pain. Please know you are not alone and we are here to help. You are not a danger to your wife or others. You are not unwanted. You are not dirty. You are safe. You are wanted. You are worthy of love and respect. In regards to your experience with doctors, I am so sorry that the doctor you saw didn't tell you this may be herpes and instead just gave you antivirals. I am honestly shocked that they didn't explain that this could be herpes! That is just negligent. When you had the fever and sore throat, it is possible you were having your primary outbreak and those were the first symptoms, or it is possible you had two things at once (maybe a bacterial infection of the throat and you contracted HSV). The spot that you noticed on your chin could have been a pimple or ingrown hair. Oral herpes usually occurs in the nose or mouth area (since HSV likes mucous membranes). Your HSV test results: did the numbers differentiate for HSV 1 and HSV 2? Usually a test result says two sets of numbers for each test type (IGG and IGM). So it would have two numbers for each; for example IGG: HSV1 1.5 HSV II .06. Or did your test just group them together and give one number? Many people have HSV-1, and many people have had it since childhood in the form of cold sores. It is possible you've had HSV-1 even before your intimate encounter with the person. It is also possible that you contracted HSV1 and HSV-2 from this person, or just HSV-2. Please know that it takes a little bit of time for the body to get used to having HSV. Also, different things could be triggering your outbreaks. Since HSV is neurological, stress (both emotional and physical) have the ability to potentially trigger an outbreak. Illness, heavy lifting, drinking alcohol, injury, emotional stress, and other neurological-related triggers have the potential to trigger outbreaks. You could keep a log of what happened the day before an outbreak, and what seems to help them (ice or heat, antivirals, lysine cream, etc). When you go to see the dermatologist or a neurologist, you can provide this log as data for the doctor. 🙂 Please know you are not a danger to your wife or others. HSV is spread via skin to skin contact with the impacted area. If you aren't having any prodrome symptoms (symptoms before an outbreak such as tingling, itching, redness, bumps, etc) or an active outbreak, you should be fine to be intimate with your wife or kiss her, and if you are still worried you could take suppressive medication to help reduce the risk of passing it to her. Although the virus is potentially always shedding and the risk is there, condoms and the use of suppressive medication significantly reduces the risk of transmission from a man to woman. What is difficult is that you don't exactly know where your HSV is; is it just genital? or is it also oral? Also, did they ever swab the sore on your chin or the genital sores? This would help you know exactly which type of HSV you have and where it is located. However, you should talk to her about this diagnosis. You deserve support, and I am sure she wouldn't want you to be handling this on your own. Love is the strongest force on the planet, and HSV doesn't have the power to break it, trust me! 🙂 Also, avoid going down the google rabbit hole. It can be very scary, you are totally right! Instead, stick to educational platforms like this one, or just consult a legitimate doctor. Stay kind to yourself and stay well. You will get through this! ❤️ Blessings and prayers, grace

Hi! I pray that it clears up ❤️ Others on the site have actually talked about having foliculitis -- it can really mimic HSV and it can cause so many other issues (fever, aches, etc) because it's an infection! Stay well and be kind to yourself! ❤️🙂

Hi! I hope you are doing well ❤️ I am so sorry it's been a rough few months. Please know there is hope and you are not alone ❤️ I have seen posts on here regarding Mollaret Meningitis. I'm sure friends who can provide some insight will respond to your post! 🙂 If you need anything, please reach out. I am praying for you! ❤️ Blessings, grace