Question:
I just got my swab results back for a positive genital hsv-1. I have a lot of questions and the medical professionals I've talked with don't seem to know much about this. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

1. How long does a typical first outbreak of this type last?

2. I've been taking Epsom salt baths and lysine and ecinacea and vitamin c but nothing seems to be stopping this, it just keeps getting worse. How much lysine is safe to take in one day and what are the adverse effects of it (if any)?

3. I just had genital intercourse last Monday, my first symptoms started to appear on Friday. I had sex with my ex-boyfriend who is the father of my 2 1/2 year old daughter. I hadn't had sex for months before that and it's been at least a year since I received oral sex from anyone. I'm wondering if it's possible to shed hsv1 in the genitals. I think he contracted this while receiving oral sex and was shedding when we had sex and that's how I got it. One of the nurses I talked to said that wasn't possible, but then that means that I can't shed from my genital area either, doesn't it? I'm really confused on this one because it just seems a little too much of a coincidence that my only ob came right after having unprotected sex with him. He doesn't think it was from him which makes it even more frustrating. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

4. If I have this in my genitals, am I still able to transfer it through my saliva? I'm concerned about giving this to my daughter but still want to maintain as normal of a relationship with her as possible (kisses, etc.).

I'm sure I'll have a lot more questions, but that's probably a good start. Thanks!

Answer:
See your third question is the same type of question that I wonder about. I have HSV2 but it just seems like sometimes the virus contradicts itself. Im so confused. my girlfriend got hsv2 from someone that had hsv1. Now either doctors dont know what they are talking about our the virus does what it wants to.

Answer:
1hopnot - it's not possible for the virus to mutate. Your girlfriend got HSV2 from someone who had HSV2, or she got HSV1 from someone who had HSV1. Where on her body she got it doesn't matter to the type -- just what type. Sometimes doctors will give you a type based on where the infection is (like mine did, i think).

thisblows - i'll give you all the answers i can
1) We can't really say. Generally my OBs last 2 weeks or so with no medication, but primary OBs can last longer, and some people have shorter OBs as a rule. We just can't really say.

2) I haven't done much lysine research, but the links on the left should get you started.

3) The nurse was wrong, as was my doctor. My doctor told me the only way to get or give gHSV is through genital intercourse. She was wrong - i got it from oral. It is entirely possible your ex got this on his genitals from oral sex with someone else, either had OBs he didn't recognize or never had an OB at all, and was shedding it from his genitals when you had sex. If he has oral HSV, he could have transferred it to you giving you oral sex (dunno the situation). Your nurse was wrong -- it is entirely possible to spread it oral-to-genital or vice versa, and it's possible to spread it when not having an OB.

However, if you have only genital HSV, you can NOT spread it from your mouth. If you have genital and oral, you could, but the virus lies dormant in your nerve cells in either the base or top of your spine, and travels the nerve paths to either your "boxer shorts" region or your facial region, respectively. Genital herpes does not travel to your face, and oral does not travel to your genitals. It is possible, however, to autoinnoculate yourself and pass genital to oral or vice versa, so proper hygene and handwashing after touching ANYTHING in your genital region is a MUST, especially if this is your first OB as your body hasn't had time to build the proper immunities to prevent that kind of transfer.

As far as his denial, there's really no way to cure that. If he gets tested and comes back positive, you would both know. However, unless he agrees to get tested, there's really no way to know. It is possible in some cases for individuals to have HSV for years and not show symptoms, only to spread it unexpectedly or get a surprise OB.

4) I answered that one :)

Answer:
For the lysine they recommend 1250 per day. So two 500 mg isn't actually enough. The Dymnialclear sells a supplement with two pills is the 1250 though. I just bought it. Good Luck.

Answer:
I saw on a website that people with herpes should take 8,000mg/day. That seems a little excessive, but do you think there would be any adverse effects from 2,000/day? Thanks.

Answer:
I have not read anything about any side effects I would do a little more research or just call your doc with any questions. I can just call my doc and she will return my call with a question like this instead of having to go in because of co-pays.

I have never seen anything on 8000 mg

Answer:
I have taken megadoses of lysine, but only when I had symptoms. I do not take anything daily. A megadose of lysine will work as well as valtrex, at least it did for me.