Question:
Ever since I was diagnosed with Herpes, I have been very careful about washing my hands after going to the restroom, even showering, etc. I never had outbreaks before. If I did, it was maybe one little annoying spot. I didn't take suppresive drugs, because it didn't seem neccesary for me to do so.

When I was about 6 months pregnant, I had the worst outbreak of my life. IT was all over my labia, and just kept spreading and spreading, it was horrible. It hurt to pee, sometimes it hurt to sit. The outbreak happened so quickly that I didn't even have time to take valtrex or anything...So I had to ride it out. I wanted to just die! (this all happened around Xmas, new Years....it lasted over 3 weeks!!) I was worried about my unborn baby and just miserable. I tried to keep my spirits up, but it was hard. IT was around this time, that I began washing my hands even more diligently....I mean SCRUBBING, under the nails..my hands, wrists, fingers....I am afraid of accidently touching a sore and then touching somewhere else and spreading it. I wash my hands constantly.

When my son was born, I became even MORE freaked out about cleaning my hands. EVen though I have not had any real bad outbreaks (only the prodomme phase I think, nothing more...which is fine with me!) I was upset I might pass it to him somehow. So now everytime I go to the bathroom, I wash my hands over and over again. Sometimes If I do not feel I did a good enough job, I will run to a sink and wash again. I guess I have a valid reason for my "OCD", but it is becoming an obvious problem. No one really knows WHAT can kill this virus, I know it can not live too long outside the body, and good ole soap is the best to kill it, but I am still a freak about it, I feel it is better to be safe than sorry. If I am having an outbreak, I will run around the house and spray lysol everywhere, especially on the toilet seats.

Does anyone else act this crazy due to their herpes? I was not like this before. Sure, I didn't like cooties or germs....usually just from public restrooms or nasty ass sick people who go to work and hack and cough all over everyone. But I wasn't like THIS!

Answer:
No, I'm not like that about herpes. Herpes isn't transmitted that way, it takes contact with an infection. The only other situation which may transmit the virus is sharing towels, and even that's not known for sure. Good hygiene is always important, but honestly I think you're kids are more at risk for illness due to the Lysol itself than the possibility of transmission via any surface in your home. Lysol (and many other products) contains phenol (among other chemicals), which is some pretty nasty stuff which can cause serious problems. Just an FYI.

As for the virus itself, the herpes simplex viron takes up to an hour to invade it's host cell, meaning that soap and water can prevent transmission even after exposure.

I think I just a reply by you on another thread with a very upbeat attitude about herpes. I would say try and do your best to follow your own advice and not let it interfere with your life anymore than you suggest mothers let it interfere with their pregnancy. That was a great attitude. If you can't seem to control your compulsions, then talk to your doctor.

Answer:
Oh, i keep an upbeat attitude...believe me, I have to, otherwise it would drive me nuts. My bf and I make jokes about it and by laughing in the face of the annoying little virus, I think it helps prevent outbreaks. May sound crazy but hey whatever works.

The cleanliness/handwashing business is the only negative/weird thing that I have begun doing. Right before my son was born. I am sure it is psychosomatic, but regardless, it exists. I KNOW it stems directly from my diagnosis with hsv2 AND giving birth to my son has propelled it.

I will STILL tell any woman NOT to allow this disease to damper their joy in impending motherhood. I did when I had my first really bad outbreak, for about the 6 weeks the outbreak occured. After that i said "Fuck it, I am not letting this thing get to me." I tell other women, especially pregnant ones, to do the same and to just be a little extra cautious.

It is not just US we have to worry about...it is passing this onto others. They are innocent victims. THAT is why I am so careful...unfortunately, I think in my cautiousness I am becoming a bit overzealous. I was merely wanting to know if there are others who have this problem and share my problem as well.

Ouch

Answer:
oops, I said a "6 week" outbreak but it was actually 3 weeks!! Typo!!! :lol:

I think it freaked me out so bad at that time because it WAS so bad, prior to that, if I did have an ob, it was pretty mild...more annoying than anything...THIS one was a doozy. If those are the types of ob's that most people have frequently, then my heart goes out to them even more than it does now. It was awful, but I just put on my happy face and tried to work through it. Again, my bf was AWESOME...

One thing though, when I have that ob, I asked my doctor if it was bad due to stress and changes in my hormones...he said not likely, that I had probably been reinfected by a different strain of the virus.....? I had not ever heard of that, and my bf is the only one I have been with....he does not have any symptoms, and did not have herpes prior to us getting together. I still think the bad ob was due to stress/hormones and the fact we had sex right before this ob and I think in doing so it rubbed/irritated the area.....

Answer:
Just wondering b/c Im due in 2 and a 1/2 wks 8-18 and am taking valtrex now, but still terrified! I have ocd too and adding the herpes to it w/ pregnancy can really be tough! Im wondering if you chose a vagi delivery?

Answer:
I actually had a csection, not just because of the herpes though. That was like the final straw for me. I did not want to risk passing hsv2 to my unborn baby. Bu tI would have needed a csection anyways, as I had such problems with my first son. (hip problems.)

So...if you want, you can talk to you ob and see about scheduling in a csection. Many people with herpes have children vaginally adn do NOT pass it to their babies, but for me, it was not worth the risk, especially since I tend to be asymptomatic (most times, I rarely have an outbreak...) SO......for peace of mind you might consider that. Definitely talk to you ob/gyn and see what is best for you.

Good luck and congrats on baby!!! How exciting! :o