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• December 3, 2008 8:51 p.m.

  ANother question--when should one take suppresants?I have prescriptions for both acyclovir and valtrex. My doctor told me to take them as soon as possible if I have another herpes infection in my outer ear. Bt here I've read of people using suppressants on a regular basis, as prevention. How do you know how to use these drugs? If I were to take acyclovir or valtrerx for prevention, would I need to take the whole bottle, and then keep taking it on a regular basis? Or can you take it in spurts? My prescription was written to take them in case of an outbreak--not as prevention. Thanks again.

  - Vanessa

• December 3, 2008 8:42 p.m.

  I have had a recurrent infection of the outer ear for at least 2 years. Looking back, the first infection I'm aware of was just before I got Bell's Palsy, which can be triggered by herpes. I've had maybe 4 infections including the first. I read up on ear infections, and learned about a possible link to herpes (Ramsey Hunt Syndrome. THat is caused by the herpes zoster virus, or HSV 1, as I recall. I asked my doctor to do a culture for herpes the last time I had an outbreak. THey couldn't grow a culture. Then I asked another doctor if I could have a blood test. Results from the titred test show that I have antibodies to HSV 2, or genital herpes. So the question is, if I've had breakouts of genital herpes in my ear, how can I know whether I have dormant genital herpes in my genitals? I've never had a genital outbreak. I realize it's always good practice to use a condom, but if I've had no genital outbreak ever, is it still necessary for my partner to use a condom to avoid infection from me? What about oral sex? Is it possible that I also have a dormant infection in my mouth, even though I've never had an outbreak? It is very confusing, complicated and frustrating to try to get accurate information. Thank you for this blog!

  - Vanessa

• December 3, 2008 9:58 a.m.

  I tested posted for HSV Type 2 about 2 years ago. To my knowledge I have never had a outbreak. Some times I freak myself out thinking maybe this time I am having an outbreak if I see a bump. I've seen all the picture and did a lot research on this but am so confused why I wouldn't have an outbreak even though the test came back positive. My husband and I separated after he found out I tested positive. Now, I'm wondering if I could ever trust someone to tell them if we decide not to stay together.

  - Mel B.

• December 3, 2008 9:34 a.m.

  Lynne, I had to tell my boyfriend that I had herpes--I told him on our second date and he has always been very understanding. Love overcomes a lot of problems in life. Just be honest--if you love someone you want to protect them. We have now been together one year and he always use condoms and never have sex when I have an outbreak. Good luck.

  - Deb

• December 2, 2008 9:20 p.m.

  this is a global problem. herpes is condition which is very difficult to cure. best way is the prevention. It is really nice that your article provides important information ragarding herpes.

  - sameera

• December 2, 2008 4:16 p.m.

  I have been celebate for 8 yrs. I have met this very loving and kind man so how in the world do I tell him that I contracted HSV2 from my ex-husband?

  - lynne

• December 2, 2008 4:00 p.m.

  When my son was born...40+ years ago, I had herpes...but did NOT know it! Many years later, when he was married and his wife was giving birth, THEIR DOCTOR said she had herpes...which somehow the inference was it all came from ME. I NEVER tell anyone I have this...I'm so ashamed of it even though I did nothing wrong to contract this. I was a virgin at marriage, have no idea how this happened and really did NOT know I had it until my grandchild was born and the above comment was made. Ten years after that...I had a hysterectomy and for some reason, had a breakout of herpes! First time ever! The doctor put me on acylovir and I take 200 mg a day and never have a problem. Since then, I have married again and my husband and I had unprotected sex for years and years and he does not have it. I'm just beginning to hear about being able to pass it on when there's no outbreak. WHY isn't there a CURE?? If so many people have it! Thanks for the great information!

  - PJ Barnes

• December 1, 2008 3:02 p.m.

  I have genital herpes. Is it possible for my husband to have oral sex with me?

  - Pamela

• November 30, 2008 10:31 a.m.

  My spouse and I recently put our child in daycare so I can go back to work (he is 9 months old). Four days later he has a fever and blisters on his tongue. We took him to the ER and they said he has HSV-1. I feel so TERRIBLE. I feel so guilty that he got herpes because we sent him to daycare. I feel that if only I had breastfed him for a bit longer (I stopped one month ago), that maybe his immune system would have been stronger. I am so scared he will develop unsightly cold sores. There is such a negative connotation with the whole thing. I am worried that he will spread the disease to his cousins. I feel so devastated that my child has a contagious disease, and I am unable to rationalize my feelings away. I have been searching the internet for more information in hopes that education will defeat my fears, but I have not been able to find anything comforting. Are there any facts that can give me some sort of peace? Every time I look at him I feel like I failed him somehow; that maybe if we sent him to a better daycare, or washed his hands more often, or stopped him more often from putting everything in his mouth, that somehow, that maybe he would not have gotten sick.

  - New Mom

• November 28, 2008 11:40 p.m.

  I was diagnosed with genital herpes 35 years ago. I have not had an outbreak for 10 years and only once or twice a year for years before that. I took Acyclovir for many years. During the last 20 years, I had unprotected sex in two longterm relationships not knowing that it was possible to spread without an outbreak. Neither contracted herpes. My doctor says it's unlikely that I can spread it anymore. Is this accurate?

  - MILW

• November 27, 2008 7:30 p.m.

  Would having Epstein-Barr 20 years ago leave herpes simplex antibodies that would show up in a recent blood test? I am trying to determine if I do have herpes, though I've never had a breakout.

  - Lou Ann

• November 27, 2008 7:15 p.m.

  Seeing how quickly the comments are coming in tells me this is a big issue. Stay tuned to a new blog from me in the next few days that addresses symptoms, diagnosis and how herpes is spread. Shortly thereafter will be a blog on treatment and suppression options. In the meantime, let me answer a few questions: DD: Many people do not know they have contracted herpes. Some people have a severe first time outbreak but many have no symptoms or the symptoms are so mild, they don't realize it is herpes. Marsha: Your son probably acquired herpes of the mouth very innocently. He might have kissed someone who did not even know they were shedding the virus. I would not worry that he contracted it sexually, unless you have other concerns about inappropriate sexual contact. It probably was just a good night kiss from a family member. Leslie: The biggest message of this whole topic is that frequently the virus is shed without any sores or symptoms. When I discuss suppressive therapy, I will give you the details of this. Ann: Shingles and genital herpes are two separate viruses both of the herpes family. Just like a person can have HSV 1 and HSV 2, you can have HSV 2 and shingles. Keep the comments coming. These are great entries and promote good discussions about a confusing topic.

  - Lois McGuire

• November 27, 2008 1:45 p.m.

  i have read somewhere that it lives in your spine, can it cause back / leg issues if it is on the nerves

  - liz beth

• November 25, 2008 10:27 p.m.

  I contracted herpes approximately 1 1 /2 yrs. ago from my spouse who told me that he was unaware that he had herpes since he said that he never had symptoms - ever. I had the initial outbreak and have not experienced any symptoms since then. Is it true that I could still pass the virus on without symptoms, and if I were to use suppressive therapy, how long could I use it for and how much does it decrease the possibility of passing it on to someone else.

  - dd

• November 25, 2008 10:16 p.m.

  Can you get the shingles, say on the leg then have several outbreaks a year of genital herpes? Can you have one sided nerve burning and not have an outbreak on the skin?

  - Ann

• November 25, 2008 8:12 p.m.

  What is effective on treating the genital herpes? That i can get over the counter.

  - Jennifer

• November 25, 2008 6:30 p.m.

  Can a child get cold sores around his mouth if infected with the Herpes Virus? He has never had cold sores around his mouth before in his life he is now 7 years old. He now has severe cold sores around his mouth How would he contract the Herpes Virus and which one is it?

  - MARSHA

• November 25, 2008 5:59 p.m.

  How long can acyclovir be taken safely as a suppressive therapy--over one year or longer? Also is there any benefit to using L-lysine?

  - Deb

• November 25, 2008 3:18 p.m.

  Can you get genital herpes from someone if their herpes is in an inactive state?

  - Leslie

• November 25, 2008 2:44 p.m.

  What are the long term consequences of Genital Herpes? Does it cause any other health issues? I have had it for over 30 years, with 2 or 3 outbreaks a year.

  - Tam

• November 25, 2008 2:11 p.m.

  Can having the virus cause nerve pain that is very severe even with no outbreaks? thank you

  - John Marin