ihaveittoo

Hello @Emil65, The stress is probably a big culprit. You might talk to your doctor about switching to a new antiviral such as Famvir or Acyclovir. Some folks have found that that helps to break these bad cycles. You might also get a check up and try to find out if something else may be going on health wise. If you haven't already check out WCSDancer2010"s blog http://supporttruthanddialog.com/, it has lots of information you might find useful right now.

Hello, I've seen the episode of The Office that you mention. Personally I didn't find it offensive at all. I've had herpes nearly thirty years now. The characters in that episode ran the spectrum of knowledge about herpes and overall I don't think the episode was mean spirited at all. Go to YouTube and search Dane Cook herpes. It's very funny and shows herpes can be talked about in a humorous way. Amy Shumer also has a herpes video that is quite good. The struggle your going thru is common, I even went thru it myself way back when.

It's rare but it happens. Only 1-2% of oral herpes is from hsv2. Seems like a couple people have passed through here that have had it. Might try running a search...may be able to find a post or two from someone who has it.

Thanks for posting. This should be an especially good read for those newly diagnosed and the old timers who may be stuck in a rut.

You are welcome. Glad to hear the antiviral has finally kicked in. Best of luck to you.

First outbreaks are usually the most difficult and take longer to get over than any outbreaks that come after it. Continue taking the antiviral as prescribed and it should start settling down in a few days. Its always best to start as soon as you start feeling prodromal symptoms. The virus definitely had the upper hand before you started taking them. The good news is that you are now a little more prepared for the future. If by chance the antiviral you are taking doesn't seem to be effective after a week or so of taking them go back to your doctor. There are 3 different antivirals on the market, Valtrex, Acyclovir(sometimes called Zovirex), and Famvir. I always had good results with Acyclovir. The one time I was prescribed Famvir I was not impressed. That being said others have reported the opposite results from mine. I've never used Valtrex but most seem to have good results with it. I've not taken an antiviral for over 20 years now. Its been over a year now since my last outbreak. It will get better for you over time.

Glad to help. This kind of support wasn't around way back when so I like to help out when I can. Happy to hear you found the link helpful. Dancer has done an outstanding job with it. The Informational Blog on this site is very good too. Check it all out if you can.

I assume you have just been diagnosed. What you were prescribed sounds usual for that situation. Was this your regular doctor you are dealing with? If not get to a doctor who deals with herpes a lot, like an OB/GYN for instance. You can discuss with them the option of a suppressive prescription of Valtrex or Acyclovir. As far as recommendations go check out this link http://supporttruthanddialog.com/. It is a blog written by @WCSDancer2010. It can give you answers to your second question. It has a lot of info you can use at this time. Sure wished it had been around 29 years ago when I was new to all this.

Overexposure to sunlight can be a trigger for some people with HSV1 oral. What triggers an outbreak for one person may not trigger an outbreak in the next. I would think 10 minutes in a tanning salon would be ok, that's pretty limited exposure.

Only the federal government can from an orginasation with "prevention" in the title and totally miss the target.

@Damnhim, I agree with what MMissouri said. You've only had it four and a half months. Bad news is it can take your immune system longer than that to become effective against it. Check out this blog http://supporttruthanddialog.com/. It is written by @WCSDancer2010. Its got some great tips on fighting it from the inside and the outside. Good luck. Things will get back to normal.

I have to agree. This is the best herpes site on the net. I've been online for 20 years, so I've come across more than a few. This forum is a lot like the support group I attended back in the 90's. People show up at a very low point in their life. The compassion and knowledge of the veterans among us help educate and lift their spirits and show them that, yes, life does go on. You stick around here long enough and you'll see it happen many times over.

I would say get the test. Its always good to know witch type you have. I was never able to get a positive swab back in the day. 27 years later I had an IgG done and it confirmed type 2. Knowing the type will help you figure out the risk factors for your partner if they are hsv negative.

Ok. I thought maybe there were some statistics involved. Thanks.

Do you have a link? Would be interested in reading it.

Another option you can look into is a herpes support group. http://herpeslife.com/herpes-support-groups/. Hopefully there is one near you. If not contact your local planned parenthood clinic, they may have one or know of one near you. I first attended a meeting 20 years ago. There were people there from many different backgrounds and experience with herpes. They will have the latest info and everyone there will have experience and knowledge you can learn from. You are on the right track in seeking out some kind of help. This forum is a great place to start.

@hippyherpy, that made me laugh

Everyone has different triggers. It sounds possible to me that this could be a trigger. But then again it could be coincidence. Are you due for anymore shots in the near future? May make for an interesting experiment.

As someone who got herpes at 20 and is now 49 just wanted to second the ladies. You can also read this blog http://supporttruthanddialog.com/. It is written by WCSDancer2010. It is full of great advice, tips and information.

You can still give blood. Herpes is not a blood borne virus. It is spread by skin to skin contact. I have donated plasma the last three years and it's never been an issue.

@hippyherpy LOL about your last comment. My early 20 something self would probably whole heartedly agree. Time has passed though and I am now 49. I find women closer to my same age more preferable than the bikini babes. Don't get me wrong, bikini babes can make some great eye candy. But the reality is I am now old enough to be their father. How you view women should evolve as you get older. Grey hair or a few wrinkle does not take away from women's beauty. Their are many women who say a balding head or graying hair doesn't make a man any less attractive as he ages. Enjoy your youth while your living it. You'll be seeing things differently 20-30 years from now.

I have had herpes 29 years now. Way back when I had 3 different outbreaks swabbed and they all came back negative. The last swab was on an outbreak less than 24 hours old. At the time I was in the military and they would not do a blood test. In October 2014 I discussed this with my doctor and she ordered an IgG. The result came back positive for HSV2. A doctor I talked to after that last swab said that 30% of herpes cases will not test positive. Terri Warren at Westover Heights has said this is true and that it may be a little higher than that. To clarify, this applies to the swab tests. As far as the IgG I'm not sure. I know it takes at least four months for the antibodies to reach a detectable level. Has it been that long since you were exposed?

I would say you definitely have 1. The numbers for 2 are in the range for a possible false positive. A western blot test could clarify it for you. You can get one through the Westover Heights clinic. They do phone consults and can order the test for you. It will cost a few bucks but you'll get a definite answer.

Hello @lifesentance, Wow, I have to say this is one of the most powerful posts I've ever read on this forum. As someone who is entering his 30th summer you have brought back many memories from when I was where you are at right now. I can identify with just about every thing you wrote. It sucks. Somehow I made my way through. I admit it was not easy. It took me almost a full decade before I started facing it head on. I believe this post is your first step. It's a big one, and for that I congratulate you. I hope you spend time reading thru this site. There are many success stories of people overcoming their fears. Finding love and understanding. Discovering that herpes will in no way stop them from living the life they want to live. Its just a nuisance skin condition. Learning to tell the stigma to fuck the hell off. This link http://herpeslife.com/herpes-support-groups/ is to a list of local support groups. If there is one near you I strongly recommend you attend a meeting or two. I attended one and it did wonders for me. After the first meeting I felt a huge weight lifted off me. I know the thought of attending such a meeting seems daunting. I remember I was nervous as hell walking in the first time. It was worth it though. This blog http://supporttruthanddialog.com/ is worth a read too. It is written by @WCSDancer2010 who is the forum mom here. I'm sure she'll be along eventually with some comments. Hang in there. You may think I'm full of shit for saying it, but life does get better. I know I would not have believed it all those years ago. I've had herpes since I was 20. 29 years have passed since then...life goes on. I married at 30. We've had 2 children(the oldest graduates high school next week). Worked for the same company almost 25 years now. Follow your dreams, they just might turn out better than you expect.

You're doing the right thing reaching out for support. In time you will adjust and things will be just fine. You might also consider attending a local support group in your area, if one is available. Here is a link to some local support groups around the US, assuming you are in the US. http://herpeslife.com/herpes-support-groups/ I attended one years ago and it really helped me over the hump.