Herpes Spread

[Questions24]

I was diagnosed with HSV-2 via a swab of a sore on my vagina 12 years ago. Since then I’ve had recurrent outbreaks usually 1-2 times a year. I usually can shorten them significantly by taking valacyclovir. When I’m not in full outbreak, I have some phantom tingling/itching almost every day. Also, over the past 6 years I really haven’t seen sores, I’m not sure if it’s because I catch it with medication first but my symptoms have changed to nerve pain in my buttocks or my left leg occasionally my right as well. This year I started noticing pain in my groin area on my left side. My left side is my recurrent sore side. The valacyclovir doesn’t seem to work for these symptoms though. Recently I had this type of outbreak and took valacyclovir but it didn’t work. For 6 weeks plus I’ve been having this off and on outbreak. Even my vagina swelled up and the doctor couldn’t put the clamps in. She said it’s most likely herpes and all other STDs and Yeast/BV came back negative.

To top it off, when touching my genitals during this time, I didn’t properly wash my hands and I’m confident I’ve spread it to my neck and back as for the past 2 days it’s been burning. This is terrifying for me as I now have it in an area that can easily transmit to other people. My questions are as follows:

What can I do about my symptoms once the medicine stops working? I was at a point taking 1000mg/3 times a day with no results.

How can I protect others from the herpes that’s now on my back/neck? How transmissible is this?

I had worked really hard to get to mentally being ok with herpes and now I’m so set back with the spreading of it to such an exposed part of my body. Appreciate your help with this.

[Terri Warren]

We spoke yesterday and I reassured you that you did not transfer HSV 2 to your back and neck. I also don’t believe that all of those nerves pains are related to HSV 2.

Terri

[Author]

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