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People with cold sores everywhere

Felix12

By Felix12,
in Herpes Clinical Trials & Vaccines

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Felix12 Established Member

Felix12

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I've noticed over the last couple of weeks, I'm noticing many people I know suddenly have cold sores on their lips. A good friend, a coworker, a local kid, etc. Made me think about just how common this thing is. I have type 2, but it's no better or worse. It made me think about 1. How common herpes is, and 2. I think it was traumatic for me because I got it as an adult when I finally knew who I was. I think for a lot of people it's just a normal part or their life, and something very trivial. While I'm bothered by the symptom, I'm becoming a lot less bothered with having the virus itself. 

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Joseph_Esp Established Member

Joseph_Esp

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20 minutes ago, Felix12 said:

I've noticed over the last couple of weeks, I'm noticing many people I know suddenly have cold sores on their lips. A good friend, a coworker, a local kid, etc. Made me think about just how common this thing is. I have type 2, but it's no better or worse. It made me think about 1. How common herpes is, and 2. I think it was traumatic for me because I got it as an adult when I finally knew who I was. I think for a lot of people it's just a normal part or their life, and something very trivial. While I'm bothered by the symptom, I'm becoming a lot less bothered with having the virus itself. 

Take me as example: I had HSV1 all my life. I was bothered by symptoms and as they went away, I did not think about them again. Now I just got HSV2, and its effect has been devastating for me, at least for the very beginning. 

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Hansje Acknowledged Support Member

Hansje

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I misunderstood the title. Thought it was about people who had coldsores all over their body. Brrr.

But you are right, cold sores are very common and at least in the part of Europe where I live it is not a big deal at all. A nuisance, not flattering but no stigma. 

Just a reason not to kiss during an outbreak. HSV2 totally different story. Not a diagnosis you easily talk about with friends and family.

 

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LillianPanos Platinum Support Member

LillianPanos

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Me too. I had horrible cold sore as child and in teens.... I mean horrible there was nothing. I mean no treatment they would recommend petroleum jelly. As I got older less and less cold sores and not horrible sores. When abreva came out the best. When I would feel a cold sore coming out I would put abreva on and sore never I mean never developed. Then I get it on genital hsv.  Thinking of putting abreva down there next time I get ob.

 

5 hours ago, Joseph_Esp said:

Take me as example: I had HSV1 all my life. I was bothered by symptoms and as they went away, I did not think about them again. Now I just got HSV2, and its effect has been devastating for me, at least for the very beginning. 

 

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Felix12 Established Member

Felix12

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I don't have hsv-1, but do have hsv-2. Stigma aside, I actually don't see it as any worse at all. If anything, it's easier to hide and doesn't spread to other parts of the body as easily. The problem with both viruses is really just the symptoms, for those of use who have them. If I could manage the symptoms and no longer shed, I'd have no problem with the virus. Valtrex has helped in stopping outbreaks, but unfortunately I still feel symptoms. For those who aren't taking daily Valtrex, I recommend giving it a try. I was getting one outbreak a month. I started daily valtrex and haven't had an outbreak since. It's been 3 months now. It definitely gives me some peace of mind, even if I am still contageous. Seeing the blisters is not good for my morale.

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Joseph_Esp Established Member

Joseph_Esp

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6 hours ago, Felix12 said:

I don't have hsv-1, but do have hsv-2. Stigma aside, I actually don't see it as any worse at all. If anything, it's easier to hide and doesn't spread to other parts of the body as easily. The problem with both viruses is really just the symptoms, for those of use who have them. If I could manage the symptoms and no longer shed, I'd have no problem with the virus. Valtrex has helped in stopping outbreaks, but unfortunately I still feel symptoms. For those who aren't taking daily Valtrex, I recommend giving it a try. I was getting one outbreak a month. I started daily valtrex and haven't had an outbreak since. It's been 3 months now. It definitely gives me some peace of mind, even if I am still contageous. Seeing the blisters is not good for my morale.

Could´t agree more. The longer you have not seen a blister, the better off you are. After 5-6 months you can even forget about it for several days in a row. I have already decided I won't come off meds till there's something better. For me, they work amazingly good.

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