[Question #2060] Hsv1 genital and so worried
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89 months ago
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Dear expert, i've hsv1-genital (only had an initial outbreak 2 years ago and never since..) and have some questions..
- is it useful to take medication valcivlovir with hsv1, when having an outbreak?
- I've read that a few days prior to an actual ob the virus is already present on the skin/ in the area. So when i've had sex i'm always anxious the next few days of getting an ob and have maybe infected my partner. Is this how it works? Or is the only risk when there are blisters/wounds?
- If my boyfriend performs oral sex on me, is there lower transmission risk when we do that in the shower or bath,because of the water?
Some practical "on holiday" questions:
- I've read sun can trigger an outbreak? Can i still sunbathing? Is the cover of my bikini pants/slip enough against the sun?
- How do i get my bikini bottom and underwear clean (when having an ob) and not having a washing machine? (Does water/soap kill the virus?)
- When having an outbreak can i still use the same /showers etc? Even if it is an salt swimmingpool instead of chlorine?
- Can i use tampons IF having an ob? Or can you transmit the virus into your vagina by that?
Sorry for all the questions! I'm so worried it will come back and i will infect my boyfriend or baby!! And so much about the virus is not clear to me!!
Thnks in advance!! Kind regards
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89 months ago
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By question 3 holiday i mean ; same swimmingpool/showers
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
89 months ago
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- is it useful to take medication valcivlovir with hsv1, when having an outbreak
Yes, that would be just fine. The normal dose we use now is 2 grams, then 12 hours later 2 gram again, one tikme.
- I've read that a few days prior to an actual ob the virus is already present on the skin/ in the area. So when i've had sex i'm always anxious the next few days of getting an ob and have maybe infected my partner. Is this how it works? Or is the only risk when there are blisters/wounds?
Well, the virus can be present before an outbreak, yes, but it can also be present at other times, when you have no symptoms. Has your partner been tested to determine that he is not already infected?
- If my boyfriend performs oral sex on me, is there lower transmission risk when we do that in the shower or bath,because of the water?
No, it doesn't matter if you are in the shower or not - he has a very small risk of acquiring HSV 1 orally if he doesn't have it already.
Some practical "on holiday" questions:
- I've read sun can trigger an outbreak? Can i still sunbathing? Is the cover of my bikini pants/slip enough against the sun?
Sun is a trigger for oral herpes - it is not a known trigger for genital herpes because under most circumstances, the genital are covered by a swim suit
- How do i get my bikini bottom and underwear clean (when having an ob) and not having a washing machine? (Does water/soap kill the virus?)
Yes, soap and water kills the virus - no worries there.
- When having an outbreak can i still use the same /showers etc? Even if it is an salt swimmingpool instead of chlorine?
Yes, you can. I would say that the dilution factor in a swimming pool would protect against transmitting to others.
- Can i use tampons IF having an ob? Or can you transmit the virus into your vagina by that?
The virus is already present in the vagina nerves so a tampon is just fine.
I think you are probably more worried this than you need to be, but I'm great with you asking me questions.
Terri
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89 months ago
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Thnx a lot Terri!
1. So let's say i have sex, and 3 days later i get an ob .. was my boyfriend then at higher risk or just as much as normal (when not having an upcoming ob)
2. The internet says different things about hsv1 and recurrences. What are my chances to get no more then the initial one?
3. So if i wash my underwear in water while having an ob that's enough to clean?
4. I've read some stories of people claiming that their birth control pill (when starting again) trigger outbreaks! Is this true? I like to start but now i am so afraid?
5. What if i have an ob and touch one of the lesions in my sleep .. can i spread it then or get it on my fingers?
6. During the initial ob i've had no oral symptoms and after that also none. Can i assume i didn't catch it in that place then? Because now i'm worried with every spot i see ( and dont want to kiss my baby).
Thanks so much!
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
89 months ago
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1. So let's say i have sex, and 3 days later i get an ob .. was my
boyfriend then at higher risk or just as much as normal (when not having
an upcoming ob)
You see, we cannot know that because we know nothing about your individual shedding patterns - I repeat, did you boyfriend get tested?
You see, we cannot know that because we know nothing about your individual shedding patterns - I repeat, did you boyfriend get tested?
2. The internet says different things about hsv1 and recurrences. What are my chances to get no more then the initial one?
If you have not had a recurrence in the first year since diagnosis, there is an 88% chance you won't get another
If you have not had a recurrence in the first year since diagnosis, there is an 88% chance you won't get another
3. So if i wash my underwear in water while having an ob that's enough to clean?
I would add soap
I would add soap
4.
I've read some stories of people claiming that their birth control pill
(when starting again) trigger outbreaks! Is this true? I like to start
but now i am so afraid?
I have not seen that particularly as a trigger -but this varies between people so I would not hesitate to suggest that you get started and see how it goes for you.
I have not seen that particularly as a trigger -but this varies between people so I would not hesitate to suggest that you get started and see how it goes for you.
5. What if i have an ob and touch one of the lesions in my sleep .. can i spread it then or get it on my fingers?
No, once you have infection established in one location it would be extremely unusual to get it in a new location
No, once you have infection established in one location it would be extremely unusual to get it in a new location
6.
During the initial ob i've had no oral symptoms and after that also
none. Can i assume i didn't catch it in that place then? Because now i'm
worried with every spot i see ( and dont want to kiss my baby).
That's a reasonable assumption though we cannot know for sure. but if you have no apparent lesions feel free to kiss your baby
Terri
That's a reasonable assumption though we cannot know for sure. but if you have no apparent lesions feel free to kiss your baby
Terri
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89 months ago
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No my boyfriend is not tested yet. BUt he will. But because of pain during sex, we don't have sex a lot.. so maybe then it's hard to say something about shedding? But i theory there is not so much shedding with hsv1 right?
Okay! So warm water and soap really is enough to kill the virus?!
I find it hard to start with birth control.. i totally freak out it will maybe cause an ob.
My doc also recommend antidepressants, because i'm very anxious and down (partly because of knowing i have herpes) but im so afraid the pills will cause an outbreak!
KINd regards
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89 months ago
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I also want to clarify my question about shedding before an ob. What i meant was : is the virus always present on the skin (days) before an ob?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
89 months ago
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The virus is not always present before an outbreak, no, for some people it is and for others it is not, there is just no way to know if you are shedding without a swab test, at any particular time or day.
Yes, warm soap and water will kill the virus The virus is surrounded my a lipid layer that is destroyed by soap and water
If you are worried about an outbreak with birth control do some other kind, like an IUD and vaginal ring
Terri
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Yes, warm soap and water will kill the virus The virus is surrounded my a lipid layer that is destroyed by soap and water
If you are worried about an outbreak with birth control do some other kind, like an IUD and vaginal ring
Terri
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