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How do I know if I have herpes?

How do I know if I have herpes?

  • I'm not sexually active. I'm a virgin. I don't have cold sores. I've had a cold sore once when i was like 8 or 9. I dont think thats herpes ?? Just because you have a cold sore, it doesnt mean you have herpes, right? Also, how do I prevent myself from getting herpes?

  • Answer:

    Yes, you do have herpes. You have HSV-1 (oral herpes, cold sores, fever blisters). Doctors actually consider oral herpes more dangerous than genital herpes because the virus resides so close to the eyes and the brain and can result in ocular herpes or viral encephalitis. That's the bad part. Now you need to know that most people are infected with it as babies and young children--and over 80% of the people in the US test positive for oral herpes. By age 50, over 90% are positive. Oral herpes can become genital herpes through oral sex. HSV-1 accounts for the largest number of genital herpes infections today in teens who are still "technical virgins" because they only performed oral sex. HSV-2 (genital herpes) is the same only it prefers the genital region and is rarely transmitted to the mouth. About 1 in 5 people in the US have genital herpes, 1 in 4 in some cities, and 48% of black women test positive for it, 16% of women nationwide. Many more are totally asymptomatic--meaning they have the virus and have never, ever had any symptoms whatsoever! Since you already carry the virus, there is no way to keep you from getting herpes--you already have it. And, like most people with either HSV-1 or HSV-2, it's no big deal except for an occasional outbreak! You're fine!

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You're confusing me a little, first you say you don't have cold sores, then you said you have them when you were about 8 or 9. If you have had a cold sore before the you have cold sores, it stays with you for life once your infected. I'm sorry to break this to you but cold sores are caused by the ORAL herpes virus aka HSV1. They are not considered to be an std, because you can get this type of herpes on the mouth with out ever having any thing to do with sex. Cold sores are very common to have and typically passed on during child hood by being innocently kissed. To prevent your self from getting the std type of herpes, use condoms. If you do happen to run into a partner that has genital herpes, then they should be taking antiviral medication regularly and avoiding any form of sexual contact while they have an out break. It's possible but you're not likely to reinfect your self, the virus doesn't live in open air for more then seconds.

I have coldsores they drive me mad. Herpes is just the medical name for coldsores. So because you have had one when you were younger you will have the herpes virus dormant in your body until a trigger of somesort brings it out (riggers can by foods with certain amino acids in like chocolate and nuts), Lysine is an amino acid that beats coldsore virus. so if you felt you were geting a coldsore take 3000mg of lysine straight away and the 2000mg 3 times after that, or more. Or you can take a dose everyday to sustain not getting one. Herpes is the name of the virus that causes coldsores, so do not worry as you havent had any attacks since you were little. so although you may still have the virus, chances are you wont feel its evil coldsores again for a while :)

Cold sores are caused by a virus related to the herpes virus. But it's not herpes. In order to get herpes you need to have contact with someone who has it, and the usual way is through sexual contact. It is possible to get herpes in other places besides the genital area. There is herpes on the mouth, and even in the eye (ugh!). If you are around someone who has an open sore, just don't touch the sore, don't kiss someone with a sore on their mouth, and don't have sex with someone without using a condom - that is some protection, but not 100%. Most people find out they have herpes by suffering a herpes outbreak which is the eruption of one or more ulcerated sores in the genital or other areas of the body. The sores last 2 or 3 weeks usually and are quite painful. The herpes virus is really a nerve virus and it settles into places where the nerves congregate and waits for an outbreak. There is no cure, but there is a medication that limits the outbreaks to fewer and less virulent. Ask any sexual partner if they have it, reveal that you once had a cold sore (even though it's not herpes) and use a condom. Or remain abstinent.

sexually active individuals should get tested regularly at least once per year. Most importantly however, if you know you are at risk for a particular disease, speak up. The best way to truly know what is going on with your body is to call us and get tested today.

The only way to know for sure is to see ur dr and get tested. That way u can stop wondering.

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