pixelslave
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Joined: 8/19/2006
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quote:
ORIGINAL: LadyEllen
Isnt herpes simplex virus what produces cold sores in the area of the mouth, and happens to be the same virus that appears "down there" as an STD?
If products like Zovirax work on cold sores around the mouth, isnt there the same effect "down there"?
I've never ever heard of anyone announcing to a date that they have cold sores every now and then, or indeed anyone being put that much off someone they really like, because they have cold sores. I havent seen anyone with cold sores around either, in years - I take it that with the high infection rate, people are using Zovirax and its competitors to prevent their appearance.
If it can be controlled, and the appearance of the genital variety of cold sores prevented, then is it really that big a deal? I also heard that its only infectious from the cold sores themselves, so if its managed so that the sores dont appear, then is there a problem?
I'm just talking what I've heard here, so if anyone can comment on the above then please do to correct my ignorance; just dont flame me over it though!
If what I wrote is true, then I wonder whether DomwithHSV is not using the whole issue as an excuse? That sounds a lot more harsh than I want it to sound, but I'm too tired to put it better sorry! Its just that it reminds me of the crossdresser's lament that its purely because they like to dress that no one loves them.
E
Lady Ellen,
I guess its education time.  There's HSV I and HSV II. HSV I, is the kind you're referring to as the strain that causes cold sores. When one has an active cold sore, guess what? Let them perform oral sex on you, and it becomes a form of herpes that now appears on your genitals and not around your mouth! Fun huh?  Hope you had a great time!
HSV II is what is thought of as the traditional form of Genital Herpes and is only transfered (to my knowledge) by contact with the genitals, either oral to genital, genital to genital, or anal to genital (not certain on the first or the last, but I believe that's all correct), and only occurs when the person who is infected has an active sore. Equally important to all of this, is that condoms don't provide protection against herpes when the sores are external on a woman or a man where they allow skin to skin contact in a location in the genital area where a condom doesn't provide protection against contact. 
So, you might want to be aware that practicing "safe sex" isn't entirely safe when it comes to protecting yourself against herpes, either HSV 1 or HSV II. Yes there are medications that a person can take for HSV. To my knowledge, most of them are taken to shorten the length of an outbreak, and not to prevent one entirely. I've heard mention of a new one (not Zovirax if falls into the category of the type that shortens an outbreak) that is designed to prevent outbreaks entirely, although I do not recall the name as it wasn't of importance to me when I recently read about it. 
In the last 5 to 10 years they've greatly improved the accuracy of testing here in the states for exposure to HSV. I've heard the statistics now are something more like 60% of the adult population have been exposed to it (either that or will be over the course of their life time, I don't remember which), although many may never show symptions of having it, they'll test positive for the virus just the same. Its not the most pleasant statistic, and the OP certainly has his point in that regard. I've known many women who have tested positive without ever showing the slightest of symptoms. I know of others, who tell me they can tell when its coming on and immediately start their meds to shorten their outbreak and take precautions with their partners. So its not nearly the same danger as HIV or other STD's. 
Here's a link that some might find helpful with lots more facts and related information on HSV from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) that was given to me by a friend with HSV:
http://www.cdc.gov/std/Herpes/STDfact-Herpes.htm
Hope this helps further enlighten anyone who reads this thread. 
- pixel
_____________________________
Chivalry isn't dead! It's for those who have it in their hearts & are willing to be taught. It's a way of life, a code of honor; this one's armor still needs some polishing!
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RE: Mmmm...no one like me I see (i.e. HSV) - 
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}, have been shown in studies to be LESS likely to shed asymptomatically than those without...hence, we are less likely to pass it along without an outbreak. 
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