Question:
It has been 5 days since my diagnosis, and I am finally seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. Still have some swollen nodes throughout body, fever finally gone, some random shooting pains, but I think lesion is gone (type 2 genital). I had felt so very isolated and thought I could not talk to anyone except my Mom and husband. But, the other day, I confided in my best friend of 11 years who confided in me that she'd had it for 6 years. I was sorry she had it too, but was elated that I had another caring person that I could talk and RELATE to about this. She had never told anyone else but her current boyfriend.

Anyway, I have a question on her behalf today. Her long distance boyfriend (whom she had had sex with many times previously) shaved his penis and pubic hair (for the first time) right before they had sex and she ended up getting it two days later. Could shaving open up the skin to allow the virus to be transmitted if he was asymtomatically shedding, or even if he wasn't? It had been several months since she had seen him last and he had never had any signs of having it (and swore he didn't know he did).

Another question....does staying on the Valtrex for maintenance only delay your body's own ability to build up defenses? My friend never went on the meds (out of embarrassment--small town) and she said she broke out constantly for about six months and now she RARELY gets outbreaks and they're only a day when she does get them. I'm wondering if it's not better in the long run to just suck it up and deal with the ob's so that your body can fight against it on it's own. Any feedback??

I also posted this question in a different topic, but felt it was important enough to post here as well. Sorry for the repeat!

Answer:
sorry dont know. im just newly diagnosed myself.
question about ur friend. after she got it, did she continue having unprotected sex with her bf when she didnt have outbreaks? and has he been tested or have them at all since? its been 6 yrs so i wanted to see what was happening. thanks

Answer:
Actually, she and that boyfriend broke up shortly afterwards. She had terrible outbreaks for 6 months, but now has few if any. I think she must have 1 and 2 because she gets cold sores, too. Her current boyfriend has it too (not from her) and they have unprotected sex when asymptomatic. So far, they both rarely get outbreaks, believe it or not.

Answer:
thanks susan!
gives us all some hope i guess. how are u goin? hope all is well wit u
on a brighter note....my girl has totally excepted me...and my first outbreak kinda has just finished....and she gave me oral today with a condom on! im so happy!