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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Herpes?

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Posted on Wed, 15 Oct 2014
Question: Hi there I recently found out I have herpes withlow. I was under alot of stress and I have been depressed and not eating then I noticed some painful blisters. I went to my doctors and was told she believes I have herpes Whitlow. Took a culture test waiting for it to come back. I'm almost absolutely positive it is this. The blisters are so painful. I've been depressed and trying to figure out how I have gotten it and I think that because my immune system was weak I contracted it somehow. My next questions are: I am currently going to take antivirals. I haven't told my partner who I don't know if he even has it. I've never seen any type of sores on him at all. Been dating for two years and monogamous. so the question is how do we move forward? does this mean that we have to have protected sex every time? Because the virus is in my body/blood? And if he contracts during intercourse cause it's in my blood does this mean he could outbreak anywhere or only the hands? Does this mean that I can't kiss him without giving giving him the disease? I am not sure.... I'm just just so lost :( thanks, from depressed
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
You will be fine soon ma'am, do not feel low

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I understand your predicament, and would be more than happy to help you. In order of your queries, my responses are as follows ma'am:

-It is mandatory that you protect your husband from the lesions, oral and genital secretions as the mainstay of treatment is always protection and prevention of transmission.

Unfortunately, you have two options ma'am:
a. Either inform your partner about the infection, and explain to him that with a good response to treatment your infection should be fully resolved within a duration of 3-4 weeks. If he is supportive, and truly loves you then he will wait for you and understand. But if you both do plan on staying together during the duration of treatment, it would be best to refrain/abstain from sexual contact of all kinds for the complete duration of the treatment (a month at the least). Yes, the virus will be in all your body secretions.
b. The next option is to somehow get away from your partner for a duration of about 1 month, which should suffice for complete recovery from the infection with adequate management and care from a doctor

-If he does contract the virus from you, it does not necessarily mean that he will experience an outbreak only on his hands. Herpetic Whitlow is an infection that can involve either herpes simplex virus 1 or 2. But an outbreak on the hands is the most likely version.

-Yes ma'am, it is quite possible that you will transmit the infection to your partner by kissing him. So it is best avoided, I understand this is quite frustrating. But do not worry, once you are completely treated, you can go on living a normal life ma'am. This is only temporary.

Ma'am, there is nothing to be depressed about. Everyone falls sick, some for just a day and some for a little longer. But what is most important in your case is that a full recovery is quite possible. For most individuals with chronic conditions, they can never completely recover. But this is not the case with you, with adequate management you should be able to live a completely normal and healthy life soon ma'am.

Stop worrying, and take as much rest as possible. Leave all the worrying to your doctor and me. And I would also like you to know that you can write to me anytime, and about anything, I am always here to help.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Hi thanks for responding. Yes, ive been crying since i came home from the doctors. Im so sad. Dont know how or why this is happening to me. are you responding and saying that within 3 to 4 weeks my body will have built enough anti-bodies against the virus with valtred to help it not spread? I guess I was a little confused as to why it would be one month? after one month what then happens would i have to still protect myself against any type of secretions even kissing? We havent had much contact at all. The last time we did was before i noticed the blisters. I might have contracted it days before and that one sunday i was stressed out and blisters showed up monday...
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
All queries explained ma'am

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

I can understand, it is indeed troubling but not something you should get depressed about. What I am saying is that within a duration of about 3-4 weeks with valtrex, your lesions should reduce and herpes should be suppressed to a point where you should not and will not be contagious.

I said it will be one month because it takes about 3-4 weeks for the lesions to completely subside, and make you non-contagious. After your lesions have subsided, you will have to get tested again to see if you are still contagious or not. If at all your tests report a non-contagious state, then you need not worry about have sexual contact or kissing your partner ma'am. You can then go on to lead a healthy and tension-free life.

I do not think you could have transmitted the infection to him, as you had not yet presented with any symptoms and that means you were not contagious, so he should be safe.

I hope I have explained things in a manner best understood by you ma'am. Do not worry, be safe and try to avoid contact to prevent transmission. I am sure you can get through this month, and then go on to live a beautiful and healthy life. For anything at all, you know you can always turn to me for help.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (2 hours later)
Hi thanks! One last question i hope... But we will never be able to have unprotected sex again in the circumstance i could pass it along to him even if im not currently active? I belive thats correct. Been reading it online at several blogs...
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
True to be safe

Detailed Answer:
Hi ma'am.

What research and studies have reported is that when the individual is not exhibiting any symptoms, they are not considered to be contagious. But there have been a few reported cases of transmission from individuals who have not experienced symptoms for quite some time. For this very reason, it is safer to be safe and continue having safe and protected sexual contact. This is not so bad, it is just a safety precaution.

I hope you find my responses helpful, and please do not hesitate to keep in touch with me, I am always here to help ma'am.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (12 minutes later)
Yes they are very helpful! I feel some hope at least. It makes me wonder i had a cut on my finger the same one and im at the gym alot. My doc told me i could have touched something or someone who was having a cold sore out break.... Maybe thats how i got it. I did touch raw chicken with the cut and didnt wash it right away which is what i thought i had an infection.... But i have 3 small blisters that are swollen. In between partners i had blood work done to ensure I didn't have any STDs HIV or herpes and they came back negative. My doc didnt draw a blood test but im going to ask for one now because i need to know for sure. Does this also mean if i want to have children i might pass it on ro them because its in my body? Im sorry for asking so many questions! I feel as if i dont know what to do and lost :( but thank you. You have helped me so much so far with your responses. They are so helpful.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Risk will be present, but can be prevented

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am.

As I mentioned earlier, I am here to help so please do not apologise for asking questions. I am here to clear them for you and guide you always.

As you have been diagnosed with herpes, there does exist a risk of transmission to your baby. But this depends entirely on your viral status at that moment, as you need to be contagious to transmit the infection and not only that, you need to have suffered a reinfection.

A good way to prevent this is by informing your doctor that you plan on conceiving, and prior to this you can take a course of prophylactic anti-viral medication and then go ahead with conception. This will ensure a strong defines against the infection, and in turn protect your child from the infection.

I hope I have explained things in a manner best understood by you. Please feel free to write back to me for any help, I am always here for you.

Best wishes ma'am.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (21 hours later)
I remove my bandage today and it has purple lines by my blister what is that mean? Ive never seen the purple lines before today just the blisters
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Purple lines are just margins or borders of wound

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again ma'am.

Purple lines around blisters or any wound just indicate the margins of the wound. This is a totally normal occurence and should not be a cause for concern. The region might start changing color indicating healing.

Try to keep the region from trauma and be safe. Hope my response helps put you at rest.

Best wishes ma'am.
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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What Is The Cause And Treatment For Herpes?

Brief Answer: You will be fine soon ma'am, do not feel low Detailed Answer: Hello ma'am and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I understand your predicament, and would be more than happy to help you. In order of your queries, my responses are as follows ma'am: -It is mandatory that you protect your husband from the lesions, oral and genital secretions as the mainstay of treatment is always protection and prevention of transmission. Unfortunately, you have two options ma'am: a. Either inform your partner about the infection, and explain to him that with a good response to treatment your infection should be fully resolved within a duration of 3-4 weeks. If he is supportive, and truly loves you then he will wait for you and understand. But if you both do plan on staying together during the duration of treatment, it would be best to refrain/abstain from sexual contact of all kinds for the complete duration of the treatment (a month at the least). Yes, the virus will be in all your body secretions. b. The next option is to somehow get away from your partner for a duration of about 1 month, which should suffice for complete recovery from the infection with adequate management and care from a doctor -If he does contract the virus from you, it does not necessarily mean that he will experience an outbreak only on his hands. Herpetic Whitlow is an infection that can involve either herpes simplex virus 1 or 2. But an outbreak on the hands is the most likely version. -Yes ma'am, it is quite possible that you will transmit the infection to your partner by kissing him. So it is best avoided, I understand this is quite frustrating. But do not worry, once you are completely treated, you can go on living a normal life ma'am. This is only temporary. Ma'am, there is nothing to be depressed about. Everyone falls sick, some for just a day and some for a little longer. But what is most important in your case is that a full recovery is quite possible. For most individuals with chronic conditions, they can never completely recover. But this is not the case with you, with adequate management you should be able to live a completely normal and healthy life soon ma'am. Stop worrying, and take as much rest as possible. Leave all the worrying to your doctor and me. And I would also like you to know that you can write to me anytime, and about anything, I am always here to help. Best wishes.