Question:
I?m a 40yr old male who has always lived a very healthy and clean lifestyle. I found out that I contacted genital herpes (type 2) the first week of July 2005. What has totally blown me away is that I have always faithfully practice safe sex. I have always used a condom no matter what the circumstances. Somehow I contacted genital herpes from one of my two female partners but neither of them claims to have ever had an STD's. They also do not know each other.

I guess this leaves me with the immaculate conception of the herpes virus. I contacted the virus on the exposed area where the condom does not cover the skin. I find this to be a major design flaw with condoms. All the condoms that I have used to date always leave a 1-2 inch area of exposed skin just above the base of the penis even when fully rolled out.

This virus has totally crippled me both physically and mentally, not to mention the impact that it has now had on my lifestyle. I have gone from being an upbeat and cheerful person to now highly withdrawn, and depressed. To top it off I have been taking 2000mg of Valtrex daily for over two weeks now, but the virus shows no signs of being suppressed or healing. I have also been treating the open sores with Choraphor which forms a scab as advertised, but within 3 to 5 days the scab falls off and the exposed lesions start weeping again.

I also can verify that you can in fact self infect yourself. The original lesions formed on an area where the skin folds onto itself, so now I have a mirror image of the original lesions. For whatever the reason the lesions are refusing to heal and I have deep pits where they are located, not to mention excruciating pain that makes walking just about impossible.

If anyone has any advice to offer please share it.

Thanks :cry:

Answer:
I UNDERSTAND HOW U ARE FEELING. I ALSO HAVE POSSIBLE HERPES. I HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED BY AN EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTOR BUT I AM AWAITING MY BLOOD TEST RESULTS. I HAVE BUMPS, SORES (WHATEVER THEY ARE CALLED) BELOW MY GENITAL LIPS ON MY BUTTOCKS. IT APPEARED AS ONE BUMP BUT NOW IT IS LIKE 4 BUMPS. THEY ARE NOT IN A CLUSTER, BUT I AM SURE THAT THEY ARE HERPES. I HAVE HAD THEM NOW FOR 4 DAYS. THEY DO NOT BOTHER ME MUCH AND I HOPE THAT I NEVER HAVE TO EXPERIENCE ALOT OF PAIN FROM THIS "GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING". THIS HAS ALSO DEVASTED ME AND HAS ME ON THE BRINK OF DEPRESSION. BUT I KNOW THAT THIS IS MY FAULT BECAUSE I HAVE NOT ALWAYS PRACTICED SAFE SEX. I AM NOT A PROMISCUISE PERSON EITHER. ALL U CAN DO IS JUST DEAL WITH IT FOR NOW. HOPEFULLY IT WILL GET BETTER AND THE PAIN WILL EASE UP. I HOPE U FEEL BETTER.

Answer:
Wow. Your observation about the condom is interesting. It seems like the only thing out there that covers the whole genital area is the female condom...Unfortunately, the knowledge that informs safe sex rules etc. is often learned over a lot of time, as in there's a lag--a hell of a lag---between word-on-the-street and official medical endoctrination in the professional community about how to have safe sex (I mean how long have condoms and herpes been around?) If the doctors dont know, how the heck are you and the condom makers supposed to know? Apparently from innocent people learing the hard way and educating them. I know I haven't 'answered' any of your concerns...