Definately NOT worth it

[ohman:(]

I went to the walk-in clinic today and the doctor basically told me I have herpes. I can't believe it... well I can since i ran the risk with the activites i was doing. I'm between student loans and exhausted all my avenues for any kind of financial resources.... I even sold my bed, computer, tv, and couch. I seriously needed money... especially as a full-time university student and a full-time single parent. It goes against everything I stand for, and with my traumatic history going back as far as I can remember, the route I chose to take to earn some quick money was a very bad one. I decided to sell myself. Bad choice as a Social Work/Criminology student. I never had intercourse with the guys, I just gave oral sex. I don't even know how to describe how nasty it was, no one should ever have to be put down to a level where they need to sell their bodies just to eat. I consider myself lucky as I didn't get caught by anyone with authority... my future career could have been out the window.

So here I am..... I have a fever, my lip has a blister, there are sores inside my mouth and it is so painful....I have a few questions maybe someone could answer for me:

- I only have oral sores, so does that mean I can only spread them orally to a partner?

- Is it only spread through sexual relations, like I can only spread it by giving oral sex?

- Is it okay to kiss someone when you don't have an outbreak?

- HOW DO YOU STOP THE PAIN??? It hurts to eat, drink, talk, even just doing nothing.

- ANY TIPS ON HOW TO IMPROVE THE APPEARANCE OF SORES, HOW TO HELP THEM HEAL FASTER?

Thanks Everyone!

[JRTJRT]

Are you sure the sores are HSV? Were you tested and what type of test - culture or blood test? If it is HSV, is it type 1 or type 2?

[hopingseeking]

I'm sorry to hear how this all happened... it will get better.

To answer your questions:

- I only have oral sores, so does that mean I can only spread them orally to a partner? You can spread it to anything you contact with your mouth.

- Is it only spread through sexual relations, like I can only spread it by giving oral sex? You could spread it through kissing or oral sex.

- Is it okay to kiss someone when you don't have an outbreak? You can always spread it even when you're not having an outbreak, but the risk is low. It's a person by person basis. You ought to inform your partners about your status. If it's HSV1, there's a good chance your partner has it already, so no worries there. You will be most infectious the first year you have this nasty bug... your immune system ramps up itself over time.

- HOW DO YOU STOP THE PAIN??? It hurts to eat, drink, talk, even just doing nothing. There's some cold sore lip therapies that you can get over the counter. Some people swear by Dynamiclear (aka Chorlaphor) or lysine pills. Again, it's whatever ends up working for you.

- ANY TIPS ON HOW TO IMPROVE THE APPEARANCE OF SORES, HOW TO HELP THEM HEAL FASTER? Don't put makeup over them, for one. Keep them dry.

[tothefuture]

Hi Ohman

That is a really sad story - the way you caught it. It sounds like you've stopped that behaviour and that has got to be good for you.

I think you've had all your questions answered, I just wanted to wish you luck.

[uk girl]

Hi ohman,

I'm really sorry you caught it this way, i just wanted to say that you can't beat yourself up about those activities you were involved in at that time.

You did what you did as a means of survival.

Maybe by going thru that, you will be able to put that experience to good use in being a social worker,and not judge as easily as the next person.

I wish you all the very best for the future