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Herpes: How Serious Can HSV2 Be?

Herpes: How Serious Can HSV2 Be?

So...HSV2 is the second version of Herpes! There are multiple versions of herpes, but HSV1 and HSV2 are the main ones you can get sexually. HSV2 can be confused with HSV1, since you can catch both genitally. HSV2 though, can be way more severe than HSV1. The outbreaks can be more frequent, have more sores, and be way more painful.

I'm still terrified of HSV2 because of that, but I want to use links from MdHelp docs' answers, to show people it doesn't have to be a huge worry:

Question from MedHelp: Possible HSV-2 Exposure

And the doctor's answer from the Expert forum:

First, the average transmission risk for genital HSV-2, when one partner is known to be infected, is under 1 in 1,000 for each epsiode of unprotected sex. Your risk probably is lower than that, since the unprotected exposure, after condom breakage, was brief. (In monogamous couples in which one person has HSV-2 and the other does not, who take no precautions against transmission, on average the infection is transmitted in only 5% per year, i.e. 1 in 20 couples -- and half of all partners never catch it.

And how long to wait to see symptoms:

Onset of initial genital herpes usually is 3-5 days after exposure. It can take 10 days and rarely up to 3 weeks. At 7 days you are pretty much out of the woods on this, although you'll have to be on the alert for another two weeks. 3) The initial symptoms usually are red bumps, which within 1-2 days turn into blister-like lesions with clear fluid, which then evolve over a few days into superficial pimples (with pus), then scabs, and then heal over 10-20 days.

I thought his answer was so cool. This is from back in 2010 so some information could be slightly different now. Still, to think the risk from catching it is so low from unprotected sex is incredible to me.

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Most Helpful Guy

  • So, if you have unprotected sex once per day for 3 years, then your chance of getting it would be very very high?

    Also, infection rate increases with the number of people who are infected. Like one zombie isn't going to do a lot of biting and turning but an army of zombies would do a lot of infection.

Most Helpful Girl

  • Such an informative one.

    • Thanks! I love the MedHelp docs' posts.

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What Girls & Guys Said

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  • Wow, I think most people fear genital herpes b/c it's the genitals being affected and it would be really scary b/c the other person might not know what it is and think the absolute worse.

  • I've heard that most people have some form of herpes and its mostly harmless.

  • People need to be clear on what they do and don't have before people have sex with them and this will be preventable. If you see a sore on someone, avoid like the plague.

  • That's so bad I couldn't imagine

  • I will upvote for Yamato.

  • HSV2 is disgusting. I have HSV1 which is coldesores in the mouth. I've only had two breakouts in my life and that was painful enough. HSV1 is extremely common and most people actually have it but just don't know since they might of never had a breakout. HSV2 would be an immediate deal breaker.

    • I feel like this too almost, but the HSV2 can be asymptomatic so it can even not show up on tests...

    • It's still herpes though, just located in a different area.

  • Oh god

  • For herpes treatment a limited number of drugs is only appropriate. In addition to the antiviral agents, painkillers are sometimes used against herpes. Here you can find out everything you need to know about herpes therapy.

    These drugs are used by default against various types of herpes and are also used for other viral diseases. There are also other active ingredients that can be used for herpes , but these only affect the symptoms and not the so called virus.

    the active ingredients used include acyclovir , valaciclovir, ganciclovir, valganciclovir and penciclovir. Medicines that destroy viruses would be called virucides, but such preparations do not yet exist. All of these active ingredients are so-called antivirals, which means that they cannot destroy the viruses, but only prevent them from multiplying. Brivudine is another preparation that can be used to treat herpes, as is zinc sulfate. There There are several antiviral drugs that are approved for treating herpes. If resistance to these agents occurs, Foscarnet can be given as an alternative. However, they almost all have the same mechanism of action. Most active ingredient names end with "-ciclovir".

    The The best way to at least accelerate healing is to start therapy as early as possible. This is the best time to start herpes drug treatment. Some patients even report that they can prevent the outbreak of herpes in this way. Those affected who suffer from herpes reactivations often have a feeling for the first symptoms of an impending outbreak of the disease. If there are unpleasant sensations, itching or pain in the affected area, you already know that it will not be long before the first fluid-filled blisters appear. The fact that only early use of antivirals has a significant effect on the course of the disease is explained by the way these drugs work: They can only prevent the virus from multiplying, but cannot destroy "finished" viruses.

    At best, they shorten the duration of the illness and alleviate the symptoms, but they do not offer reliable, quick help with herpes. Unfortunately, the currently known active ingredients for herpes treatment do not work miracles. What What to do with herpes?” Asks everyone who has ever become acquainted with the annoying blisters and of course you want to get rid of the herpes quickly.

    luckily a friend of mine, got rid of this herpes virus quickly than other drugs prevailed in the market. now he is doing good, if your interested in knowing more about this DM me

  • Shishhhh I would never even touch a girl who has had unprotected sex with any guy... That's disgusting as hell

    • You can catch Herpes while having protected sex too.

  • It's still gross though.

  • Herpes carries with it a highly increased risk of catching more serious STDs because of the open sores.

  • The reason why people prefer HSV1 to HSV2 is because HSV1 is common so there is some understandability to it.

    HSV2 is less common than HSV1 and affects muh cock and muh vagina.

  • that naruto picture though lol

  • Genital Herpes is actually a very common virus so people shouldn't freak themselves out about it because many have it in today's society without even knowing due to being asymptomatic plus there are good medications for treatment.

    I have Herpes myself (found out in my STI check-up through having a blood test) but not sure if it's oral or genital HSV-1 as I've never had a cold sore nor an outbreak downstairs since being diagnosed two years ago.

    I would've caught HSV-1 from having regular unprotected oral and/or vaginal sex with exGFs or FWBs who didn't know they had it themselves.

    I found out recently that my current girlfriend of one year has oral HSV-1 after seeing Valtrex antibiotics in the medicine box which she uses to treat cold sores. She never mentioned that she had HSV-1 nor did I before sleeping together so there's no point saying anything now as we both have the same type.

    Is your Genital Herpes HSV-1 or HSV-2?

  • It's weird to me how HSV 1 seem to be more acceptable than HSV 2. It's still herpes. If someone with oral herpes performs oral sex on someone they can spread it to that person. I wouldn't want either but with HSV 2 , it's easier to hide the outbreaks than it is with HSV 1. Everyone will know you have herpes when you have an outbreak, which I would think would be embarrassing.

  • genital herpes is basically cold sores on the genitals. they're the same family, and so is chicken pox and shingles. it should be viewed like mononucleosis too (always stays in you and sheds after you're healed) or any other catchable virus. nobody wants anything on their genitals but if you're going to have sex you might as well see it as not a big threat.

  • it can be very bad.

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