Living with genital herpes?

I have a friend who has genital herpes and I want to understand the disease better.
I鈥檝e gone to several medical websites and they are so clinical in their approach. They all say same things about out breaks of sores and warn about spreading the disease. They don鈥檛 tell me what it is really like living with the disease and I would also like to know if there are other problems associated with the disease like damage to other organs or immune system. I would like to ask, what are your experiences living with genital herpes and what other problems do you know of that are associated with the disease?

I read over some of the answers submitted so far and there are some things that I need to clear up.
I don't have the disease, so I have no first hand experience with it.
I know about the sores and I know how the disease is spread.
I don't know what the physiological effects are and I don't know what other problems come with it or what it is like to live with it day to day.
Please I want intelligent adult answers to my questions.

This answer will be frank and rather graphic, so Forewarned-

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Try to imagine having burn blisters in and on your most private, sensitive areas. 12-24 hours before an outbreak of sore(s), some people report feeling "like a mild electrical shock" in the spot where the sores develop. They take 2-3 weeks to fully resolve. If its a female then urine usually gets on the open sores, which can be excruciating. So, living with outbreaks is very painful. Frequent outbreaks can be depressing. Many people find that increased stress can cause outbreaks, so finding ways to relieve stress levels, before they elevate is important to cope, and to reduce outbreaks. Also Valtrex DOES reduce outbreaks. If your friend is very careful, then they won't pass it on. Condoms are required to prevent the spread of genital herpes. One can spread the virus even if they have no open sores. Some people have silent outbreaks, where no sore develops, but they still shed the virus. and no, no other organs or damage to the immune system. BUT that said, no woman with an ACTIVE outbreak should deliver a baby vaginally; the baby could become blind or also get genital herpes. The only problem I can think of is if a sore should become infected. So, one should take care to treat an outbreak like any other open wound, keep all sores very clean. Cold water compresses help relieve the pain on the open sores.

Hi I believe that reading the next article could give a clue to what your friends could be feeling right know what you have to understand is that we are talking about a disease that doesn't have a cure ( he will be infected for life) , and unfortunately there is kind of a social rejection to people who has this disease ( fear of not been able to have a relationship anymore) try to put your self behind this two factors and you maybe able to understand what he is going trough

I do not know of any problems caused by the virus. I do know it depends on how your body reacts to the virus and taking ant-viral med's when needed or every day (your choice) and taking care of yourself in general can control it. As far as the physc state is...well...it's hard to deal with. So many thoughts go through your head and you feel different. It's a living nightmare at first, but you have to control yourself and think positive. It's not going to kill you...live your life and be happy! You didn't do this to yourself...someone did this to you! If you have it....at first, don't stay on the internet reading everything you can find! Read some facts and step away! Get back to your normal, everyday life. That helps tremendously!

Hope that helps!

Be good to yourself! :)

I can't speak in terms of genital herpes itself however, I know of an std dating/support website that may be helpful.
Check out positivesingles.com and refer to their info and blog posts where you can interact with those living through the effects of genital herpes and gain a more personal aspect.

You just live a normal life like everyone else. Everything is completely normal down there until you do get a reoccuring outbreak. Valtrex really helps alot with that.

well to start off, its not fun at all......i contracted it in 2006....its very depressing sometimes. For me it did cause other complications, i developed reactive arthritis last summer and was crippled by this disease for a few months, i was on crutches for 2 months and still disabled by it... and i still have arthritis pain and can not walk like i used to....can not even run if i wanted to. My doctor told me it was caused by me having genital herpes. Its also hard being in a relationship and having to tell someone this....or u cant do what u want to do because u have an outbreak....and outbreaks are definetly painful and can last a while....so tell ur friend to get medication for it, because not having medication will make this situation so much worst..and can make more complications in his/her life just like the arthritis...when u dont have an outbreak everything feels almost back to normal but u always know in the back of ur head u still have it and its sad....also condoms do not protect u from this disease 100 percent....thats how i contracted it, w/a condom.

Hi well what your asking is very simple in that Herpes type2 are nothing more than cold sores that are in the genital region and extremely contagious when outbreak with lesions weeping.
Having herpes is NOT A LIFE THREATENING CONDITION AT ALL to alleviate any person whom says different..
Yes it does reduce your immune system in that is makes it easier for you to contract other std's.
1 in 8 people throughout USA have this condition believe it or not...I know working in field..
If you google your question then sites will appear that will answer you more thoroughly 鈾?/div>

• 1 month ago

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