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• January 21, 2009 12:31 p.m.

  If 10 percent of the sexually active population has HIV, then on any given night that you walk into a bar or party looking to hook up, you have a 10 percent chance of having sex with someone who has HIV. But if the abstainers joined the crowd, and importantly, practiced safe sex, that would decrease the chance that you end up in bed with someone with HIV.

  - Raaj

• December 23, 2008 1:47 p.m.

  In applying for insurance having an STD could effect the premiums you pay. One site www.financialone.com I have found has multiple companies with liberal underwriting. Good Luck !

  - Janice

• November 22, 2008 12:58 p.m.

  I never could figure out when to go to see a Dr. if I have an itch. Best be safe than sorry I guess. I wonder if it is possible to have an STD and not know about it for years? Sexy Geek Mark

  - Geek

• November 11, 2008 10:05 a.m.

  Dear George, I am so touched by your note. I will try to give you some pearls in my blog. Your comments bring home the fact that this is not a simple issue. Also, it tells me how small our world is and that we all have a responsibility to open our hearts and help in any way we can. Thank you for all you are doing. I will look into the treatment of herpes with alcohol. In countries where the antiviral medications are available, I definitely recommend using them, however, I know that not all countries are as privileged as the developed countries. God bless you and the women you befriend.

  - Lois McGuire

• November 9, 2008 6:42 a.m.

  my dear lois RN MSN, your fine intro note.You know Condom stops only 80% of bugs entry each time; and Abstinence is next to impossible in actual field conditions challenged by the members of the socalled worlds oldest profession, as it sex is their bread and butter.i wld like to read opinions solutions action plans from real worldly persons, not from pious puritan preachers, about the problems, curable or not. i sat with my HIV/AIDS persons in Zambia.Now for 3 years i am deeply involved in a small way with PLWHA. I shudder to think i am not able to stop my girls going out into their markets.They look into my face and ask me if i can support them and their families.Sociology books deal exhaustive about this .India is high in the list in the world, and my region is tops in india. and there is the factor of permissive societies.Do develop this section of your good blog for benefit of field workers like us to learn from you all, and not the armchair sermons from top politicians and bureaucrats.

  - George, India

• November 9, 2008 6:13 a.m.

  Subject: CURE for recurrent Genital Herpes : My easy, safe, sure,simple,empirical, inexpensive, total cure; self treatment mode. For recurrent HSV sores. Principle : 35% alcohol kills viruses in vitro, and on contact. (Harrisons). Rationale: A couple of days after sex contact with partner having genital herpes sores, the Herpes Simplex Viruses cause a small 1cm area of pain over some genital pubic skin, leading to fine vesicles, which burst open to show the typical cluster of tiny painful burning sores, containing the highly infective HSV at the raw surfaces . The lesions heal in a few days by themselves. The virus retreats and lodges in deep nerve ganglia. Later on, even without fresh sex contact , to the worry doubt and nuisance of the person and the spouse, periodically, off and on, the lurking old HSV travels to the skin surface and causes the same types of infective herpetic sores clusters in the genital areas. At each surfacing of the HSV, the virus is readily accessable to the contact cidal 35% alcohol.*To date there is no cure for this. Acyclovir is not total cure , and is expensive. Hence the usefulness of this my 1994 finding. 1. Treatment procedure: Just take a cotton swab, wet with 50% alcohol/ spirit, and apply [dab, touch, scrape, rub, press,] on to the cluster of tiny sores for a few minutes. Repeat this five times a day. In about 3 - 5 days the sores heal. Some HSV survi

  - George, India

• October 29, 2008 10:26 p.m.

  Thank you for the advise. I will be upfront prior to being with a man. Just feel really self-conscious about the herpes. Appreciate the advice, thanks. Not clear whats the difference between Valtrex and Acyclovir. Valtrex performed an extensive study and facts were given. What about Acyclovir? Which one is most effective regarding minimizing outbreaks and shedding. Personally I've had 1 outbreak a year in the past 2 year. I am most concern with shedding. Between Valtrex and Acyclovir which one is proven to minimize the shedding best? I realize that Valtrex minimizes the shedding by 80% what about Acyclovir?

  - Liz

• October 29, 2008 9:15 a.m.

  I am writing a blog note on Herpes which will be posted in approximately 3 weeks. In the meantime, I want to stress the importance of suppressive therapy to protect your partner! The dosing is important so I want to reinforce the correct dose for suppressive therapy. It is acyclovir 400 mg, orally, every morning and evening or Valtrex 500 mg one tablet orally each day. There is one more anti-viral called Famcyclovir. The suppressive dosing for Famcyclovir is 250 mg, orally, every morning and evening. Acyclovir taken once per day will not adequately protect your partner. Vatrex and Famcyclovir are much more expensive unless they are on your insurance formulary so check out the price difference.

  - Lois McGuire

• October 28, 2008 10:02 a.m.

  I was infected with genital herpes 8 years ago but have had very few outbreaks. I have now spread the virus to my husband. Since he found out about it all, our sex life has decreased drastically. I am feeling very emotional and sad lately, feeling very unattractive due to all of it. My question is: When we both have no symptoms, is it okay to have oral sex? Is there a risk of then getting sores around the mouth? We are happily married, have a healthy new born daughter...When we have intercourse, should we always be wearing a condom? We both already have it so...? ~PLEASE ADVISE~

  - unknown

• October 26, 2008 5:08 p.m.

  Acyclovir is only $4 a month at WalMart and Valtrex is a lot more. As for effectiveness, I don't know. Yes we have to be truthful with those we become involved with. I've only had two relationships since finding out and both of the men were understanding--in fact one of them was also infected. With my present relationship I used acyclovir for 6 months daily (200 mg) and now only use it during an outbreak-only three of those this year. We never have sex if I have an outbreak and we always use a condom when I am outbreak free. Yes it is very difficult to tell someone that you have herpes, but how much more difficult to say later, "Oh by the way, I have herpes and now you've been exposed." There are understanding men out there and a lot of them have herpes also. The important thing is to be truthful and responsible.

  - Deb

• October 26, 2008 11:08 a.m.

  What are the differences between Acylovir and Valtrex. Which one is best for daily treatment to control out breaks and shedding?

  - Liz

• October 26, 2008 9:28 a.m.

  41 year old single female. Diagnoised with HSV2 2 years ago. Was in a on and off 5 year relationship. Dr explained to me that I can't pin point exact date I was first exposed because I was never tested before for HSV. I later found my ex with Valtrex locked up in a file cabinet. When I confronted him he simply stated that he was recently diagnosed himself. We broke-up for different reasons but know I am in a position to have to share this with potential interest. Recently I found myself attracted to a 30 year old neighbor. I was so overwhelmed with having to tell him that I was not properly prepared. After a month of getting to know one another I told him. At first he appeared to be supportive however after a week he changed I could tell it was affecting him. I gracefully backed off from the relationship and ever since than I feel horrible. Is this what I have to look forward to? Since than I have been doing a lot of research. With Valtrex 500mg daily and a Latex condome 1 out of 743 were infected and 4 out of the 743 w/out condoms were infected. These odds are very promising. The barrier is pin pointing when one is "shedding". It is believed that w/out meds a person w/HSV2 sheds 1 out of 25 dys however with daily treatment viral shedding is reduced by 80%. I also noted reading off the Mayo website it states 1 out of 6 people are infected however on herpes.org and other sites it states 1 out of 4 woman and 1 out of 5 men are infected. Who is correct?

  - Liz

• October 24, 2008 4:25 p.m.

  Im 47 and having a herpes outbreak...I first contracted it in my early twenties...Now Im having to explain to someone I truely love and preparing myself for the possiblility of he will reject me. Im confused, angry, extremely sad. I dont want to lose him but there is that possibility...What to do?????

  - Lorena

• October 23, 2008 8:58 p.m.

  This may sound corny, but True Love, waiting, may be the only real answer. Jason Evert and Christopher West, both very well informed, young authors and speakers, have quite readable books...look for titles, The Love That Satisfies, Theology of the Body for Beginners, Theology of the Body Explained, and many more to help young people make it through teen years, to look back without having to ever think about strange new vaccines. Sadly, many have already bought into the lie that safe sex means that I care about someone...no, it means I am too immature and blind to care about anything but my small world in the immediate picture. Each of us is an important part of the mystery of history-in-the- making...we can be a positive or a negative force for those around us, and we can make difficult choices and live more freely than we could ever have imagined, if only we take a bold step, individually, for the common good. Sex matters. Most of us, given "choices" before we are old enough to realize dreadful consequences of some of the so-called health initiatives, would gladly choose to be "corny," not promiscuous and infected, and live happier, more peaceful lives as a result. This could fly in the face of every responsible adult who has ever given you "advice," but isn't that exactly what you are looking for? Something to rebel against! Go for it!!! - Wonow

  - Wonow

• October 16, 2008 2:50 p.m.

  I agree with the post by md. Condoms are the way to go, and these days, condoms are not boring either.

  - CG

• October 14, 2008 6:59 p.m.

  One STD not mentioned very much but is out there is HIV. I suggest that a potential couple use condoms until they both have negative HIV test results that they got done together for up to 6 months. There is a 6 month window period. Get tested once in the beginning then at three and six month intervals. Using condoms each and every time for every sex act. All it takes is once. HIV does not care who you are, how nice you are, how much money you do or do not make. People look good and feel good. You cannot tell by anything on the outside. If it is just a fling and they "just couldn't possibly be positive" How many 'flings' has that person had? And multiply that. Safest sex is no sex but if one must and at times it does seem that one must.... use a latex condom.

  - md

• October 8, 2008 10:56 a.m.

  When a man is older and has a penile implant and heart problems, is sex a wise thing to even consider? If so, what is the best way to get an erection and have sex without having the man dying during the act? I need help, ASAP. Thanks!

  - GypsySpirit

• September 30, 2008 8:37 p.m.

  Anonymous, There was a female condom at one time, not sure it is still on the market. Maybe your health department can tell you. Also dental dams for oral sex.

  - Deb

• September 30, 2008 3:14 p.m.

  I am 65 years old, and I am dating a 62 year old man who is partially impotent due to back surgery, so there is no possibility of his wearing a condom as he does not get hard enough to put one on. I therefore find it impossible to practice "safer sex" even though I would really like to! Any suggestions?

  - Anonymous

• September 24, 2008 3:06 p.m.

  How long can acyclovir be taken and still be effective and is L-Lysine of any benefit to treat herpes?

  - Deb

• September 20, 2008 10:27 a.m.

  Sorry, but I have no sympathy for you people. I am an "old timer", and if you people had some moral fiber, you would wait until marriage to have sex and not sleep around from one partner to another. I don't mean to be judgemental and I know it is difficult, but your rewards can be worth it. Lorraine

  - Lorraine

• September 18, 2008 2:54 a.m.

  Let me congratulate you for posting this blog on STD.Going through the comments posted, it is very clear that bacterial STDs are becoming lesserand lesser and viral STDs are on the rise. We are fortunate that treatment of these viral STDs including HIV,earlier very bleak,have become brighter at recent times.Safer sex is indeed protective,but I envisage a Triple Vaccine 3H to fight and eradicate HIV,HSV&HPV-Dr.M.Balasubramanian,Former Deputy Director,Tamilnadu State AIDS Control Society,Chennai,India.

  - Dr.M.Balasubramanian

• September 17, 2008 7:02 p.m.

  Janet, I'm curious what treatments you have tried?

  - Jesse

• September 17, 2008 7:00 p.m.

  Catherine, I was just diagnosed with HPV and was told by my doctor that I could have contracted it during my first sexual experience (28 years age) and it may have just now surfaced due to stress etc. I was told that normally you would see an outbreak at about 3 months after coming into contact, but not alway. Vague and frustrating yes!

  - Jesse

• September 17, 2008 4:10 p.m.

  Dear Robin and others, I am hoping that others in similar situations will comment on this blog as to how they have managed with their STDs. This will be one of the most important aspects of support to one another for this blog. I will be addressing a different topic each week. Watch for the topics that interest you. If I sense a general concern about a certain subject, I will address that in one of my weekly topics. In the meantime, if you have herpes, talk to your provider about suppressive therapy. This involves taking a medication that will greatly reduce your risk of spreading the virus to other areas of the body or to other persons.

  - Lois McGuire