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Hi Terri,
I paid for another round of questions. I really appreciate your taking the time to let all of us pick your brain! Even though my husband is 100% supportive, he could really care less about my having herpes, but, he’s the only one I can talk to. Here, you are a fount of correct information and provide for me a comfortable place to ease my fears.
I seem to have mild and rather infrequent outbreaks. When I do have ob’s, it feels as though my urethra is involved. I get “itching” inside my body and when I urinate it doesn’t hurt, but feels like it is swollen or irritated- like a UTI is coming on, but no burning or pain. My question here is, can herpes cause irritation or lesions INSIDE the urethra? I thought it landed on “skin” only. In addition to the mildly itchy urethra, I get one itchy spot usually on either side of the inside of my labia majora right next to my vagina. It never seems to crust, or really hurt, just a deep itchy feeling. I can’t really see blisters, even with my reading glasses and a magnifying mirror, but it is red. Here’s my Valtrex question; as soon as I feel any twinge of itch or symptom I take 500 mg of Valtrex 2x a day. Should I take more? And as I’m taking the Valtrex, will more ob’s come up during the present one? And, how long after my symptoms subside should I take the medicine?Also, can herpes become systemic and overtake your body? If I my ob’s tend to be the same every time, can I expect them to generally stay the same, even as I grow old? Example, I’m not going to have to be hospitalized due to an outbreak if I’m otherwise healthy, am I?
Finally, just some questions that I have pondered since reading your book; If 1 in 4 women have herpes, why don’t OB/GYNs add the blood test to their routine testing of pregnant women? My OB?GYN didn’t and that could have put my daughter at risk.
And, if 1 in 4 people have HSV 2, but 80-90% don’t know it, how is that information collected? How do they get the 1 in 4 if new cases aren’t being diagnosed?Thank you for taking the time to answer. You made me feel so much better on my last post answering the question about my daughter. Now if I could put these last few questions to rest, I think I can deal with this easier and not let the shame, guilt, and fear rule my life. You are so right when you say that people with herpes often feel “one down”. That is how I felt and still feel now. Hopefully with time, acceptance, and guidance from helpful people like you and my wonderful psychologist, I can finally regain my self-worth.
Thank you so much, Nurse Warren, you are a true blessing!
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Yes, herpes lesions can be inside the urethra. In fact, sometimes herpes and urinary tract infections are mixed up.
You could probably take more of a dose of Valtrex when you feel an outbreak coming – up to 4 grams in a day – to see if you can abort the outbreak. Run this by your provider who prescribes it but the dose for an oral outbreaks is 2 grams, then 12 hours later 2 grams again. It’s best to do that burst and then, if necessary, continue dosing for the normal three days.No, herpes will not take over your body as you age.
Your question about why OB doctors don’t test for herpes is an excellent one. I don’t know the answer.
They know about these statistics by doing antibody testing on large segments of the population and asking beforehand “do you have genital herpes?”
I’m so glad that you find the forum helpful and that you have such a wonderful husband.
Terri
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You are most welcome.
Terri
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It’s difficult to say what might be on your nipple but if it is a blister, you should have it swab tested for herpes right away. Nipple herpes does happen and it is caused by someone with oral cold sore virus (with or without symptoms) sucking on the nipples of another person.
If she had gotten this from nursing, you would almost certainly have known it be now.
I know you love your daughter very much and you are concerned about her but really, I believe she is fine and will stay fine.
And direct deposit will be fine, thanks! LOL
Terri
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I think it is likely that the Valtrex would have worked on nipple herpes as well, but we also know that when people have, for example, a genital outbreak, they may also have oral outbreaks or shedding as well.
And yes, I mean HSV 1.
I don’t think the surgery will have any impact on your herpes since you are taking suppression. If you actually have a blister, you need to have it swab tested but you might just have a bump?
Terri
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