LoveHer - Thanks for your question, and for supporting your friend. It sounds like she's going through a very rough time and really needs your support.
There are a number of issues with testing for herpes. It is possible for people to be tested and not get accurate information. Some tests aren't accurate. It also makes a difference as to whether the testing is done with or without symptoms. The following page from the American Social Health Association provides more detail on the problems and issues: http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_testing.cfm
A person may show symptoms within days after contracting genital herpes, or it may take weeks, months, or years. For this reason, it can be difficult for people to know when and from whom they may have contracted the virus.
Currently, there's no treatment to cure herpes; however, there are medications to treat symptoms and control outbreaks.
Three antiviral medications (in pill form) are approved by the Food and Drug Administration. All of these medications work by attacking the herpes virus and disrupting its ability to multiply.
If she chooses to, she will be able to have more children. She will need to take some precautions and become educated on the risk factors, but having herpes does not mean she can't have a baby. Most women with herpes, in fact, have normal vaginal deliveries. You can find more information here: http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_pregnancy.cfm
Your friend will be able to have relationships in the future, but education is critical so she knows how to protect her own health and the health of future partners. In brief, the safest way to prevent the spread of genital herpes is to avoid sexual contact during an active outbreak and to use condoms for sexual contact between outbreaks.
Your friend has a lot to learn, but before diving into all the facts and information it might be best to first deal with some of the emotional aspects of getting this condition.
This page will help you, and help her, and I would start with this: http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_emotional.cfm
Managing herpes takes some work, but it can be done successfully. The key right now is for your friend to focus on her own health first and learning all she can to stay on top of and manage this health condition.
Thank you again for looking out for her, and we wish her the best.
Take care,
Pat
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LoveHer - Thanks for your question, and for supporting your friend. It sounds like she's going through a very rough time and really needs your support.
There are a number of issues with testing for herpes. It is possible for people to be tested and not get accurate information. Some tests aren't accurate. It also makes a difference as to whether the testing is done with or without symptoms. The following page from the American Social Health Association provides more detail on the problems and issues: http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_testing.cfm
A person may show symptoms within days after contracting genital herpes, or it may take weeks, months, or years. For this reason, it can be difficult for people to know when and from whom they may have contracted the virus.
Currently, there's no treatment to cure herpes; however, there are medications to treat symptoms and control outbreaks.
Three antiviral medications (in pill form) are approved by the Food and Drug Administration. All of these medications work by attacking the herpes virus and disrupting its ability to multiply.
If she chooses to, she will be able to have more children. She will need to take some precautions and become educated on the risk factors, but having herpes does not mean she can't have a baby. Most women with herpes, in fact, have normal vaginal deliveries. You can find more information here: http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_learn_pregnancy.cfm
Your friend will be able to have relationships in the future, but education is critical so she knows how to protect her own health and the health of future partners. In brief, the safest way to prevent the spread of genital herpes is to avoid sexual contact during an active outbreak and to use condoms for sexual contact between outbreaks.
Your friend has a lot to learn, but before diving into all the facts and information it might be best to first deal with some of the emotional aspects of getting this condition.
This page will help you, and help her, and I would start with this: http://www.ashastd.org/herpes/herpes_emotional.cfm
Managing herpes takes some work, but it can be done successfully. The key right now is for your friend to focus on her own health first and learning all she can to stay on top of and manage this health condition.
November 10, 2010 - 6:39pmThank you again for looking out for her, and we wish her the best.
Take care,
Pat
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