exactly when am i not contagious?

[lasko]

my sores are very small an never form a crust. i know im contagious from the first on set of symptoms but when does the contagiousness end exactly. right now im breaking out kinda often (pretty much whenever im about to get my period..which i know can be a trigger) but i dont want to go on suppressive therapy. i read you should wait till a week after sores heal. my sores heal after approx 5 days so does that mean im out of commission 12 days a month? if im getting an OB every month that kinda sucks...

[WCSDancer2010]

I would say wait at least 5-7 days after the scabs fall off... and you can still be asymptomatically shedding ...

 

What I suggest is that you try taking one of the anti-virals for 3 days before you would normally start the OB/period. Take them for maybe 5-7 days at first. If that works you can experiment with cutting back on how much you take and how long. I personally hit the meds as soon as I feel an OB coming on and that helps a lot. Also, do all the other things we've suggested to knock the OB's back....

 

 

Go Commando as much as possible - getting air to the area can help to dry it out more quickly

 

Reduce stress as much as possible - Herpes feeds off stress!!! It can become a good barometer for you that your body needs attention in some form or other

 

Look up Trigger Foods/triggers on here in the FAQ and search bar - lots of topics on them ... the main foods are chocolate and nuts but you want to learn about the Lysine/Argenine balance that can help keep Herpes under control

 

Epsom Salts baths can do wonders for some. Sit in the bath and dump a few handfuls of the salts right between your legs. Relax and let the salts do their thing then get out and dry off, finishing with a blow drier set on low heat to really get the area dry.

 

These 4 things seem to do the most help for the most people. Aloe Vera CREAM (make sure ALOE is one of the first ingredients and there isn't a bunch of other crap like petroleum and if it has glycerine, it's AFTER the Aloe in the ingredients .. go to a Health food store for your best chance of getting a good product) or Zinc cream may help during the day to keep it from sticking and help relieve the pain ..

 

Also: Gold Bond Spray powder - right after exercising/hot showers/etc. Supposedly really cools the area ;)

 

That should help out a lot :)

 

(((HUGS)))

 

[lasko]

...mine dont scab,ever! so thats why im asking. i only ever get one sore (an awesomely they get smaller an smaller every OB) by day 5 they have completly dissappeared but NEVER scab.

 

my OBs are very mild. an the most recent one had no warning signs at all.

 

All i take is L-lysine an put tea tree oil on the sore an have an epsom salt bath at night right before bed.

i dont want to take a prescription ever either. i dont even take advil or birth control or anything. i dont like pharmaceuticals

 

BUT my issue is i like this guy an want to be able to have sex more freely but if i cant have sex 12 days outta month thats kinda lame. i would want to use condoms every time so if the sore has dissapeared is there still a high high high chance or giving it to him?

[WCSDancer2010]

Problem is, you just don't know whether you are shedding or not so that's why I say give it 5 days after is disappears. I dont like pharmaceuticals either but in the beginning of any relationship I will use them to protect my partner until I see how things are going to work out --- then if he's not concerned I will go off them.

 

Condoms are only useful if they cover the area of your OB ... you may want to check out the FC2 female condom ... I've heard mixed reviews but they cover more area and don't strangle the guy or remove sensation for him. That at least would help to increase your level of protection for him.