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• November 18, 2009 12:18 p.m.

  I was diagnosed with HS2 over 30 years ago. I actually forgot I had the virus until last month when I had a small out break, the first in years. I went to see my doctor for a prescription for Valtrex. She told me that over time the body acclamates to the virus and there are fewer out breaks. How does the body naturally reduce the number of out breaks as you age? Thank you.

  - Wanda

• October 24, 2009 1:23 p.m.

  I have read all of your blogs and exhausted the search engine... Wanting to determine how I got HPV. Can anyone tell me...How long can this virus lay dormant in your body and not know that that you have it?

  - Cheryl

• October 20, 2009 5:31 p.m.

  I recently noticed a blister by my vagina and have only had one partner and he has never had herpes either. I am experiencing flu like symptoms and muscle cramping. Do I have herpes? What can I do?

  - Amanda

• October 19, 2009 4:07 p.m.

  I am nearing 60 & my Dr will be offering the shingles vaccine for me. I also have genital herpes. Is there any problem or contradictions with me getting the vaccine?

  - Sara

• October 10, 2009 9:50 p.m.

  I have been having really bad headaches and horrible back pains. I just recently noticed that I had a discharge and really sore boobs and bumps on my vaginal area and inner thigh do I have herpes?

  - monique

• October 5, 2009 1:20 p.m.

  I usually get an episode a year. Usually I start off with a flu like symptom that lasts a few days...along with swelling of my foreskin on the left side of my penis. This will last up to 2 weeks and then the sores go away and the swelling subsides over another 2-4 weeks. That is a 6 week episode for me. This time, I didn't get any sores but after 6 weeks, I am still swelled up on the left side of my foreskin and it remains tender to the touch. I also keep my foreskin back as it seems cleaner to keep it in this position. Do you think the pulling back the foreskin could have some effect as to the long episodes and now this one lasting the longest yet. This is my 5 episode and I have had it about 7 years. Appreciate the help1

  - danny

• September 23, 2009 1:10 p.m.

  I contracted Herpes August 7, I am 61 years old. I knew I had something wrong with me the next day after I slept with my estranged husband who had left 3 years ago. He admitted he had an affair. I had tingling, burning and a feeling like hot cream had been pushed up my vagina. Then I got flu like symptoms two weeks later, throwing up, runs, leg cramp, then a sore in my pubic area, then again two weeks later same flu symptoms now with another sore on the other side. These symptoms have lasted 6 weeks now and I am still feeling like something is inside me. I was tested Sep 9 by swab and was positive, I am still waiting for my blood work. I would just like to tell the world even when you think it is safe it is not and you can't trust other people's judgement. My husband says he did not have symptoms but I should have asked for a blood test anyway.

  - Judy

• September 21, 2009 12:44 p.m.

  i have had cold sores before in my mouth, after shaving with a very dull razor that i belive now,at it was used by someone else in my family. i discovered the next day i had, not really blisters but more like little bumps on my pelvis area, i have like maybe 6 to 9 all over and not just in one area, i am very afraid of std's, i have been tesed for aids and other stds about 6 months ago and came out negative, but now i think it might be herpes, is there a test or other means of knowing without going to the Dr?

  - ricky

• August 26, 2009 6:28 p.m.

  I just found out for sure that I have herpes 2. I was married for 13 years and knew that my wife had it, I really never showed symtoms. I am recently divorced got tested when I had a heat blister on my penis. but the test came back neg. then a friend of my current girlfriend contracted it and told me he had a blood test done. So I had a blood test done, found out I am positive. Now I need to find a way to tell my girlfriend, we have been together and having uprotected sex. She has never said anything like she has contracted, even tested 6 months before we started dating. How long if you contract does it take before you show symtoms. If you never show symtoms does it mean you are clear. We have never had sex when I have had any symtoms. I am afraid that she will break up with me. But I need to be honest with her now, before it is too late and I have given it to her. I just hope she understands. I am 43 and feel that this woman is the love of my life, just can't bear the thought of losing her.

  - rob

• August 20, 2009 8:39 a.m.

  Dear Samantha, Please read all the articles that I have written on herpes for this blog. This will give you a good understanding of all you and your partner can do to prevent herpes. As far as his housemates are concerned, your BF should use good handwashing tecnique. Hand sanitizers are most effective. He should not share towels. Thank you for asking.

  - Lois McGuire

• August 6, 2009 12:06 p.m.

  I don't have herpes, but my boyfriend does. Will I contract the virus? Will anyone living in the same house as that he is living in catch the virus? How do we prevent any further infection?

  - Samantha

• August 4, 2009 9:05 p.m.

  I have been tested recently, just to satisfy my mind that I am clean, for herpes 2. I tested negative for simplex 2 but was told I had simplex 1. I have never had a cold ever, so I had no idea. My question is, if I've never had a blister anywhere, ever, can I give it to my fiance, of two years when I give him oral and then in turn give us both gential herpes.

  - Jan

• August 1, 2009 12:28 a.m.

  I'm a 53 year old single male with herpes, but don't have a clue as to what type I have. My summary history is that in Nov 07 I had a painful urination episode, with the pain at or near the tip of my penis, followed by a single small white lesion on my penis. I was sexually active at the time, and this episode came 3 days after receiving oral sex from a woman I met in a bar in an encounter that was fueled by alcohol and subsequent bad judgement on my part. My urologist took a swab of the lesion and also tested me for HSV 1&2 (all negative). However, I tested positive in another test for long term exposure to the herpes antibody. I've had chicken pox as a child, a canker sore inside the mouth perhaps every other month since my teens, and shingles as an adult male, all of which are herpes 'cousins.' My urologist wasn't certain if that antibody test is sensitive to those cousins (neither was the lab tech). He also told me that most urologists don't see many STD patients, and the major metropolitan area HMO to which I belong has no STD specialists in their system! He referred me to the county heath department for evaluation, which I have yet to do. Since the episode above, I have abstained from sex and relationships, pending another evaluation and better information. Any idea if I have a sexually transmittable form of the virus? Other than the recurring mouth canker sore, I have had no genital symptoms before or since the episode above and take no medications.

  - Ron

• July 21, 2009 1:00 p.m.

  I'm a man, 63 in a few weeks, and recently formed a friendship with a 60 yo woman, who shared with me that she has Herpes. (her openness and honesty make her even more attractive to me!) We are not yet sexually active. I don't want to acquire the virus, but neither do I want these circumstances to interfere with what is a wonderful friendship, and what could become a deep love relationship, lasting the rest of our lives. Should we develop a long term relationship, I will be careful, but condoms won't help prevent infection with oral sex. What I will do if this relationship grows strong is simply accept the reality of the Herpes infection, take my chances of acquiring it from my love, and realize that deep, committed love is worth any adversity I need to face. That really doesn't seem foolish to me--simply "dues" that I willingly accept and pay!

  - JR

• July 16, 2009 12:52 p.m.

  Is a canker sore a form of herpes or a member of the herpes simplex virus?

  - information

• July 15, 2009 10:58 p.m.

  i have had a blood test for herpes and it was neg and the doctors still want to give me meds for this never had a blister or any thing ossing how can i get a confirm neg diagnoses , been on med for years. never had a confirm positive

  - mary

• June 30, 2009 6:52 p.m.

  I was diagnosed with herpes 8 months ago , like some of the others, I never knew I had it. I would get yeast infections or what I thought were yeast infections from time to time, but never an outbreak. I decided to get a series of test before I got married and I tested pos for HSV. My husband now, got tested and he is neg. We've been together for 4yrs never using protection. I'm so thankful he did not contract it. I must of contracted it from a previous relationship. We've been using protection every since we found out. The doctor prescribed me some anclovyr but I don't take it because I don't feel like I get outbreaks. Should I take the meds anyway? My question is now we are ready to start a family and I don't know where to start. My husband wants to do invitro fertilizationecause he's afraid of contracting herpes. I don't and feel bad and ashamed to have to go through that, then on the other hand I know I can't be mad at him because I'm the one who has herpes. Can you give us some options or rec'd a doctor in the ATL area who specializes in conceiving with herpes.thank You

  - GG

• June 20, 2009 4:07 p.m.

  I have a friend who is 84 years old. She had a hip replacement last year and got a lung infection and got a sore tongue that has three little wart like nodules on her tongue. I haven't seen them so I just assume it is like a little wart. she can eat oranges but not apples. She says salt and sugar really make it hurt. She says the side and back of her tongue hurt at times. Her mouth is real dry but she will drool at night. Her doctor gave her Dexamethasone 0.5mg to wash her mouth out with but she says it does not help. She is due to go back to her doctor in two weeks. I am wondering if they are treating correctly. I feel so bad for her. Please respond. Thank you.

  - Karen

• June 11, 2009 12:31 a.m.

  I have been to my NP at least 4 times now for an office visit, for what I thought was a yeast infection or possibly BV. Everytime I was treated with Diflucan (2 or 3 pills consecutively), then the next time for BV, then a vaginal anti-biotic & again diflucan (2 more doses), next my boyfriend/fiance went in to have a Full-spectrum of tests, he came back completely "clean." My NP thought we both should take an anti-biotic that is for a bacteria both partners can get & share back n' forth. Finished that, a week later, again I had itching, like a yeast infection, burning, it hurt upon entry, inflammation, irritation when he ejaculated, burned when I went to the bathroom after intercourse, I hurt in any tight clothing. I do not see any visible spots anywhere on me, or on him. Went to male OB/GYN this morning & he gave me lidocaine 5% said to use it for 3 weeks because of what he prescribed as Fissures on the outside labia & entry. He also said that in 3 weeks I should come back & I will have to do a treatment 2 days a week even if I do not have symptoms. He never said "herpes" he never said "vulvar cancer," but when I went on MayoClinic. com it seems as though I have symptoms exactly matching those 2 things??? Please advise because I am freaking out & I have been hurting for so long now. I just want to know what is wrong with me, why it is reoccuring, and how to move on. ~Scared

  - adeline alvera

• June 6, 2009 12:38 p.m.

  For the people who don't know what "herpes simplex" is...you need to read.Basically HS is a virus which can NOT be cured or removed from the body.Genital herpes is just ONE virus in the HS family.Chicken pox,shingles, "canker-cold" sores, genital are "cousins". Viruses mutate,there for they can not be "killed".They can be suppressed.Genital herpes "lives" or is dormant at the base of your back ( tail bone area) when you are under stress or illness it surfaces,as "sores". "Herpes" is a large virus family,remember that.To "herpe" means to crawel .I know because I have it.NO fun and is VERY painful.I contracted it from my husband,who never knew he had it.This is what the MAIN problem is,many do not know they have it,especially men.My prayer is that they can "invent" a vaccine to surppress the virus. I think more people have it then what is reported.It is depressing to have it,BUT there is Rx acylovir pills and cream.The N.P.'s suggestion to "have your partner checked",well you try it once your married to them.I didn't have sex till I was MARRIED!and my husband was marrried before to a women who "cheated" on him. Remember there is NO safe anything anymore.Instead of flying to the moon,we need to find " cures" for our ills we have here on earth.

  - G.

• June 3, 2009 6:49 a.m.

  I don't kknow if what I have is genital herpes but for the last 34 years I have been getting outbreaks on the right side of my buttocks, not very often, but always on the right buttock. An outbreak starts as a tingle, then becomes painful for a day or two and then gradually goes away, maybe 5 or 6 days total. Your thoughts, please.

  - Jean

• May 31, 2009 1:27 a.m.

  is there any hope in medicine that cure herpes??

  - johnson

• May 28, 2009 9:33 a.m.

  Dear cid, Please read my blog on "Herpes Symptoms, Diagnosis and How It Spreads". This is a good summary of all the ways herpes may look or feel.

  - Lois McGuire

• May 28, 2009 9:28 a.m.

  Alisa, Yes. Please read all the blog entries I have made on Herpes. It will give you all the information you need to reduce your partner's chance of getting Herpes.

  - Lois McGuire

• May 26, 2009 6:03 p.m.

  I just found out that I have herpes. I was wondering if I could pass it to my boyfriend if he performs oral sex on me?

  - Alisa