A European doctor's opinion

[windjammer]

Hello--

This is my story. I guess I contracted herpes from "fooling around" with my best friend since that was the only person I had any sexual relations with. I developed symptoms my first day in Europe when I went on a trip. Finally, I went to go see a doctor who told me that it was herpes. Initially, I was shocked but also knew that my symptoms were that of herpes. Anyways, he told me not to worry and be more careful. I was prescribed a medication called "Heviran" and a cream. The doctor (very highly skilled and respected man) said I'd be fine after this. It's been a few weeks since the OB healed but I'm confused: in Poland and Germany I was told that I will probably not have anymore outbreaks and in the US the doctors make it sound like another OB in inevitable. Any idea why?

[smiley]

Hello,

I was wondering the same thing. Let me know if you find something out.

[gina-d]

Newly diagnosed

i too was diagnosed about 2 months ago. I had one tiny OB and it was outside of the vaginal area. Almost in the crease of my buttock and leg. I went to the emergency room, I was so freaked out. When I was called back to tell me it was positive, they suggested an appoointmet with my dr.

the dr. had responded that it was such a smal sore, and that I could have been carrying this virus for years, months, without any OB. She also said that it could be the only OB i ever have, and that it comes back in the same place all the time. Too, that the sore was so minor that it is not as big of a worry as I think. Is this true anyone?

[windjammer]

Okay, so here's what I found out. In Europe, I was given a pretty tough treatment combo: Heviran and a cream called Vratizolin. After having my breakout, the whole thing went away within a week of treatment. I kept asking the doctor if I was okay and he smiled and said, "you're fine, just be more careful next time." Apparently, if you keep healthy you could avoid getting another break out. I guess it would be comparable to a flu: there are precautions you can take to avoid it from reacting just like any other virus. So, I remain optimistic.

The one thing that REALLY scared me is that the doctor told me that I should get an HIV test 3 months after my exposure. This really freaked me out because I never had vaginal or anal sex. Once again, the doctor did reassure me and told me that the test was more of a peace-at-mind kind of thing. Cheers to all and good luck!

[scareddepressed25]

keep us posted

hey windjammer

can you keep us posted on if you ever get another OB? I just got my first one, pretty minor. I am on Valtrex, taking lysine and vitamons, on top of tons of prayer for it not coming back. I am reading and reading about some people that get one OB after another, and others who don;t get them for 1 to 2 or even 3 years at a time. i want that to be me!!

so i just wanted to see if with your positive attitude and the fact you're not taking anything, if you will get any more ob's.

Keep us posted... and good luck (to all of us i guess)

[Latrell]

hey windjammer

can you keep us posted on if you ever get another OB? I just got my first one, pretty minor. I am on Valtrex, taking lysine and vitamons, on top of tons of prayer for it not coming back. I am reading and reading about some people that get one OB after another, and others who don;t get them for 1 to 2 or even 3 years at a time. i want that to be me!!

so i just wanted to see if with your positive attitude and the fact you're not taking anything, if you will get any more ob's.

Keep us posted... and good luck (to all of us i guess)

Stay positive Scareddepressed25. I have not had an outbreak since my initial outbreak in Dec. I belive the mind is powerful and out thoughts affect our health. Just continue to pray and be healthy and keep your stress down.

That's what I'm doing.

[tothefuture]

The one thing that REALLY scared me is that the doctor told me that I should get an HIV test 3 months after my exposure. This really freaked me out because I never had vaginal or anal sex. Once again, the doctor did reassure me and told me that the test was more of a peace-at-mind kind of thing. Cheers to all and good luck!

I think he was beng ultra cautious.

The only reason HSV and HIV are 'linked' is because a reduced immune system increases the risk of contracting HIV. But the common cold reduces the immune system also. Being tested for all STDs on a regular basis is wise, but I wouldn't let his comment worry you.

[BoxofRain]

windjammer, just out of curiosity, do you understand you are still contagious some of the time even without visible symptoms? (no matter how long without seeing them) Did the european doctors differ in opinion about this or say the same?

[scareddepressed25]

hey latrell,

i have been doing the power of positive thinking, as well as praying like a crazy woman. hopefully it works.

[windjammer]

Yes, I do know that it is still possible to spread herpes with no visible symptoms, but since my diagnosis, I haven't had any sexual contact. I'm still in that stage where I feel really ashamed of it...

[JRTJRT]

in Poland and Germany I was told that I will probably not have anymore outbreaks and in the US the doctors make it sound like another OB in inevitable. Any idea why?

A national health care system is more likely to fix you and be done with it. In the US where capitalism reigns and everything associated with health care is driven by profit, they are more likely to tell you that you will need to come back, that there is no hope for you, that you need the more expensive treatments, that you need to go on pharmaceuticals, etc...

[lintrus]

I think he was beng ultra cautious.

The only reason HSV and HIV are 'linked' is because a reduced immune system increases the risk of contracting HIV. But the common cold reduces the immune system also. Being tested for all STDs on a regular basis is wise, but I wouldn't let his comment worry you.

Not to be nitpicky, but its a little more complicated than that. While HSV is transmitted by skin to skin contact, HIV is through exchange of fluids, but more than that, HIV also needs a way to get into your body. If you have sex with someone who has HIV when you're having an OB, the lesions offer the HIV a possible way into your body. That's why we have to be extremely careful now. Sometimes we know when we're having an OB, sometimes they're so minor we don't notice a thing. Or sometimes we don't even know that we have HSV in the first place.

Still, I wouldn't worry. When I found out that I had this I was freaking out too, especially because I had to learn everything on my own. (I was too ashamed and went to a big state-run sexual health clinic, took a number--an actual number--and waited 4 hours to get tested before being told that they'd call in a few days.) It wasn't until I talked to my doctor that I found out that the odds, even with HSV, of getting HIV are incredibly small. No worries... but make sure anyhow.

[tothefuture]

Yes I take your point.

BUT. If I had unprotected sex with someone with HIV and I was not having an OB and my immune system was fine, then I'd have the same chance of contracting it as any other female but who doesn't have HSV. I think once you know you have this virus, even incredibly mild OBs - which I get - can be detected (by me, but not a doctor as they really are so miniscule).

And even if I was having an OB, if I'd had unprotected sex with someone with HIV, then I really don't think I'd be worried about a tiny sore increasing the risk of transmission - in the scheme of things.

Anyway, I do take your point and I'm glad you corrected me.

However I stand by the view that HIV seems to be connected to HSV for some kind of shock value. And I think it’s sometimes linked due to the stigma. HIV is an STD. Only dirty/promiscuous people get STDs. So if someone has HSV- an STD - the same assumptions apply so they’re likely to have slept about and will have an increased chance of having HIV

Where in the media do they go on about the need to worry about 'tears' and abrasions - which MANY women get (can't talk for men) during sex, because it increases the chance of HIV infection?

If a woman goes to her doctor with a tear which was caused during sex, is she advised to have a HIV test? No she fucking isn’t!!!! And what’s the difference between a tear and a sore when it comes to transmission - nothing as far as I can see. A woman goes to see her doctor with herpes - and she’s advised to take a HIV test. Why are they treated differently?… - because of the FUCKING STIGMA. I rest my case. And yes I know this has turned into a rant.

I am soooooooooo glad the Admin People decided not to censor the F word!!!!!!!!!!!!