Posts tagged spread herpes

[Video] Growing through the yuck of having herpes
Guest author from our community: Ashley
It is easy to get sucked into the negative when you get a herpes diagnosis. I remember the day that I was diagnosed. I was at the health center at my university and I had the most horrific first herpes outbreak anyone could imagine. Two solid weeks of not being able to sit, lay down, use the bathroom, or shower without excruciating pain. Not to mention the accompanying nausea, fatigue, and general feelings of misery. The nurse gave me the diagnosis and I felt my heart hit the floor. Who would want me now since I have herpes? With shaking hands I dialed my then boyfriend’s cell phone number. “The rash I have? It’s herpes,” I said, cringing with every word. “I had a feeling that’s what it was,” he replied calmly. “Are you mad?” I asked. “No sweetie,” he said, “you’re still the same person you were an hour ago. It’s just herpes. It’s not life-threatening.”
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Spreading genital herpes (HSV-2) from oral sex?
Can I spread genital herpes to my partners mouth if s/he gives me oral sex?
The exciting and resounding answer to this question is a (slightly qualified) NO! Genital HSV-2 will most likely not be passed to the mouth! It’s 99% impossible (hence the slight qualification). If you use incredibly basic precautionary measures (avoiding oral sex during a herpes outbreak), you’re home free when it comes to receiving oral sex. Ain’t that the best news you’ve heard in a while? I thought so. Go enjoy yourself. Get down on it.
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Questions after contracting herpes
Guest author from our community: Katie S.
Contracting herpes often comes as a shock to people and leaves them in a state of confusion, fear, and shame. When I was first diagnosed my biggest questions were “How did this happen to me?” “How will this affect me?” and “Will I ever be able to live a normal life again?” Herpes was a scary realization at first, and I spent a lot of time worrying about the unknown. Now that almost a year has gone by, my life is nowhere near the horror story that I imagined it would be. In fact, my relationship to herpes has completely changed, and my life is more open, loving, and exciting than ever. More >
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People with herpes
Guest author from our community: Katie S.
After my herpes test came back positive, I was having a difficult time coming to terms with it. When I go through hardships, I want to talk to my friends and family. With herpes, I only wanted to talk to people who understood. I was afraid of the stigma around herpes, and afraid of what my friends and family might think. I joined a website that included herpes dating and a herpes forum. I started talking with other people who have herpes. I quickly realized just how wrong the stigma about herpes actually is. Through my experience having herpes, I have met some of the most interesting people, with the most loving, open, and kind hearts. More >
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Get to know your herpes prodrome symptoms
What is herpes prodrome? A prodrome is a physical sensation that signals that the herpes virus may be starting its travels to the surface of your skin. It will generally manifest as itching, burning, and/or stinging anywhere from 30 minutes to two days before an actual herpes outbreak. The longer you have herpes, the less often this will occur as your body builds up more and more immunity against the virus. Get to know your body. Pay attention to what it’s saying to you. It will keep you more in tune with yourself and with your partner. More >
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I spread herpes to him
Guest author from our community: Katie S.
Life loves to give me surprises every year; and 2012 was no exception. I got a last minute ticket to a festival that I’d been wanting to go to for years; my mom paid me a surprise visit in Colorado; I was intimate with somebody and got herpes; I was intimate with somebody else and gave him herpes. Wait.. what? What did life just give me?! I thought this would never actually really happen? I thought I could never do this to anyone?! My ignorance was bliss for years, but then reality hit and I realized that life happens… even if you’re not prepared.
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Understanding genital herpes
Dr. Peter A. Leone is an associate professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and Public Health. He also directs the H.I.V./sexually transmitted disease prevention program for the state of North Carolina and serves on the National Coalition of STD Directors, a group of public health officials who promote awareness of sexually transmitted diseases.
Watch the full video “Doctor answers questions about herpes” when Dr. Leone came to our in-person herpes support group in Raleigh, NC.

Q: People are more worried about getting H.I.V./AIDS than genital herpes. Should we be paying more attention to herpes?
A: H.I.V./AIDS is viewed as a lethal disease, and herpes isn’t, so many have ignored it. The reason why we should focus on herpes now is that the relationship between herpes and H.I.V. is significant. Although people don’t die from herpes, there is a synergy between these two infections. If a person has genital herpes due to the herpes type 2 virus, their risk of acquiring H.I.V. is much higher than if they didn’t have herpes. And a person who has both H.I.V. and herpes 2 is more likely to transmit both infections. More >