Anyone from the UK? Dealing with NHS

[LostandFound]

Hey! I suspect most people here are from USA but im from London and what i’ve found is the doctors and clinic won’t even give us meds unless you have severe outbreaks. Surely this would mean that rates in the UK would be so high? I just can’t understand it, the nurse even said to me i don’t need to disclose to partners.

 

has anyone else from the UK experienced this? Is this the right approach to take? How cN we prevent passing this on without meds?!

[Riseandfall]

Hello I am also from London. I found them very blase about everything too. I also got told it's not necessary to disclose. I have managed to get some tablets..I told the clinic that I was having outbreaks just to get hold of a pack to keep on hand. I then managed to get some through the doctor on a monthly prescription. I'm in a LDR so I take them whenever I see my partner and if I'm poorly I take them to stop anything happening. Keep trying! You just have to be pushy because they really dont seem to care that much or have much idea of what a diagnosis does to people!  I'm sure it must be such a common virus here as there it absolutely no way of knowing you have it unless you're one of us unlucky few like us who ever had a symptom!

[LostandFound]

Thanks @Riseandfall i might have to try that too. Your so right i would never have known if i didnt have the symptoms they dont even do the blood tests so we wouldn’t know our igg levels. 
its very annoying sometimes. But interesting to see the culture differences between USA and UK. 

[no_joyride]

I live in the middle east and I was also told by a Dr not to disclose.  Also by a Dr that I saw in India.

If you travel there are some countries where it is easy to stock up on meds with a Dr, such as Greece.

I have a friend who is a flight attendant and they get me meds whenever they go there.

I think the Dr are persuaded by drug companies to discourage people from disclosing so that they get more customers.  It's discussing.  For the same reason, I think that they will never look for a cure.

[greydaysandbrighternights]

I’m late to this but I’m also in the U.K. my nurse couldn’t have cared less and made me feel as though I was taking up her precious time. it’s so hard to get any meds, that I buy mine online. And it’s not cheap is it. I can’t afford it as a suppressive therapy but I like to have some on hand to head an outbreak off if I can. 

[akirn]

Hi! This is very interesting to read, as I have been looking to relocate to the UK, but have HSV-2 and am worried about getting antivirals. It's a bit daunting to read that they seem to be hard to come by! I did some snooping the other day and also came across sites to by it online.  It's also interesting to hear the info your nurses gave you; do you think the stigma in the UK is lesser than that in the U.S. from what you've seen? I'm genuinely curious, as I'm in a long distance relationship with a Brit and dreading telling him!

[greydaysandbrighternights]

On 2/25/2020 at 2:47 AM, akirn said:

Hi! This is very interesting to read, as I have been looking to relocate to the UK, but have HSV-2 and am worried about getting antivirals. It's a bit daunting to read that they seem to be hard to come by! I did some snooping the other day and also came across sites to by it online.  It's also interesting to hear the info your nurses gave you; do you think the stigma in the UK is lesser than that in the U.S. from what you've seen? I'm genuinely curious, as I'm in a long distance relationship with a Brit and dreading telling him!

Hi, akirn. 
it’s just a case of finding a good doctor with reasonable knowledge of HSV in the U.K. I think. They do exist, you just have to find one. 
 

honestly, judging by social media, I think the stigma is the same here as the U.S. but then I’ve not been brave enough to disclose to anyone to give you my personal experience. But I hope it goes well for you in your relationship. Be strong. x