Anonymous wrote:Pretty devastating. Her sex life is basically over forever now.

OP here, I know, right? That's what we originally thought. I just posted the update in case any other young people happened to read this thread.

She's been doing fine, and learned that it's not at all unusual, especially on a college campus. Sure, we wish she didn't contract it, but it's been totally manageable. No outbreaks in a year, she met a great guy, and it wasn't a big huge issue. They take care, but they should be doing that anyhow.

The big issue I think is that so many people HAVE HSV-1 and do not know it; be VERY careful with any interactions involving oral contact with genitals. In fact it might be that if you DO Have HSV-1, you are better protected against getting an outbreak in the genitals in the first place, if you are later exposed to it again?

Anonymous wrote:
There is a lot of misinformation on here genital herpes is not the same strain as cold sores on the mouth although mouth sore can cause a genital break out.

You can get both HSV-1 and HSV-2 sores on the skin around the genital area. HSV-1 is more typically found around the mouth ("cold sores") can be transferred to the genitals through oral sex.

50% to 80% of Americans apparently have had HSV-1 and would test positive for it. That doesn't mean that they all have outbreaks of sores.

She needs to contact all her partners so they too can get tested.

There is a lot of misinformation on here genital herpes is not the same strain as cold sores on the mouth although mouth sore can cause a genital break out.

Pretty devastating. Her sex life is basically over forever now.

Medical knowledge recap:

HPV: human papillomavirus:
Can cause warts, some strains can cause cervical cancer.
VACCINE exists for many strains of HPV.

HSV (type 1 and type 2): Herpes Simplex Virus:
cases sores on skin. Type 1 more often around the mouth; Type 2 more often on the genitals.
NO VACCINE yet but they are getting closer!

ChickenPox/Shingles: Varicella-Zoster virus/human herpesvirus 3:
first time- causes rash, fever.
if reactivated, we call that outbreak shingles.
VACCINE exists for varicella - live attenuated vaccine, given to children.
VACCINE exists for shingles- recombinant zoster vaccine - inactivated - for adults.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/18/well/herpes-treatment-stigma.html

Those who contract HSV-1 may develop blisters on or around their mouths or, in some cases, on their genitals. HSV-2, the other predominant strain, is usually characterized by one or more lesions around the genitals or the rectum. In the United States, around one in six people between the ages of 14 and 49 has genital herpes, and over half of adults have oral herpes.

If it is this common, why isn't it more routinely tested for?

It doesn’t kill anyone (unless it’s actually causing Alzheimer’s) and isn’t curable.

HPV can lead to cervical, anal and oral cancers, and are deadly. While some strains are low risk, to say it isn't deadly is naive.

HPV is a different virus. OP is discussing HSV.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:See an ophthalmologist.

Can you say why? The rash has since subsided...

DP. It’s worth at least getting it checked. HSV can show up in the eyes and it is very painful. It’s not common, but why not get checked while she’s home?

Thsts shingles, not genital herpes. FFS, people.

HSV could affect the eye, it is called ocular herpes, and it IS serious, but this thread was started a year ago and no, the symptoms (eye rash) turned out to be unrelated to HSV.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:See an ophthalmologist.

Can you say why? The rash has since subsided...

DP. It’s worth at least getting it checked. HSV can show up in the eyes and it is very painful. It’s not common, but why not get checked while she’s home?

Thsts shingles, not genital herpes. FFS, people.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/18/well/herpes-treatment-stigma.html

Those who contract HSV-1 may develop blisters on or around their mouths or, in some cases, on their genitals. HSV-2, the other predominant strain, is usually characterized by one or more lesions around the genitals or the rectum. In the United States, around one in six people between the ages of 14 and 49 has genital herpes, and over half of adults have oral herpes.

If it is this common, why isn't it more routinely tested for?

It doesn’t kill anyone (unless it’s actually causing Alzheimer’s) and isn’t curable.

HPV can lead to cervical, anal and oral cancers, and are deadly. While some strains are low risk, to say it isn't deadly is naive.

That’s the virus that causes warts, not herpes.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/18/well/herpes-treatment-stigma.html

Those who contract HSV-1 may develop blisters on or around their mouths or, in some cases, on their genitals. HSV-2, the other predominant strain, is usually characterized by one or more lesions around the genitals or the rectum. In the United States, around one in six people between the ages of 14 and 49 has genital herpes, and over half of adults have oral herpes.

If it is this common, why isn't it more routinely tested for?

It doesn’t kill anyone (unless it’s actually causing Alzheimer’s) and isn’t curable.

HPV can lead to cervical, anal and oral cancers, and are deadly. While some strains are low risk, to say it isn't deadly is naive.

So, HPV and HSV are totally different viruses. Maybe you should know this if you’re going to be so high and mighty.

🧡