Dealing with Herpes?

Most people catch a herpes virus back when they're young and just carry it around for life. So, just because you're seeing an outbreak in a different spot now doesn't mean you caught some brand-new virus. It’s just the same old thing you've always had, it just decided to show up somewhere else this time.

Thanks for the advice!...

Hi everyone, I have a bit of an issue. I'm planning to see my doctor soon, but I'm hoping it's nothing serious and that someone here might be able to offer some advice first.
Basically, about two months ago I had a herpes outbreak, which has since cleared up. However, a red patch has remained on the upper edge of my lip and has spread to cover about half of it. Occasionally, the herpes flares up again in that spot, and it just won't fully heal.👎
I've tried various creams and nothing seems to work; I even went to the pharmacy and they gave me something, but I haven't seen any results.

The sun seems to be a major trigger for me—it causes everything to swell up.

Has anyone else dealt with a similar situation?👎

Yeah... sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but this is basically a lifelong battle. I’ve been dealing with this since I was a kid. Sometimes it disappears for years, sometimes it just pops up and vanishes, and then there are times—like right now—where I've been struggling with it for a solid year... It shows up, fades away, leaves some redness behind, then flares up again, usually in the same spot, though not always... and so it goes.

No, creams don't really do much. Stuff like Zovirax, Acyclovir, and whatever else... they only work if you use them *before* it actually breaks out. Like, once you feel that tiny, tender, warm spot on your lip, you gotta slather it on immediately and maybe (!) you'll manage to dodge the actual blister. Otherwise...

My advice? Start taking a B-Complex, every morning and night for a month, and then just one a day after that. That's what my doctor suggested for me, because these herpes outbreaks are basically just a sign that your immune system is tanking. Give it a shot, it's not like it can hurt you.

Good luck.

I’m not sure if there’s already a thread for this, but does anyone have recommendations for vitamins to help boost the immune system? Because, of course, my herpes decided to show up again today in the exact same spot where it popped up last time. It was only about a month ago, too. As soon as I felt that familiar tingle, I grabbed the HerpleX and applied it right away.

There are several different types of herpes out there—like Simplex and Zoster—but based on what you're describing, it sounds like you've got the feverish reaction caused by Herpes Simplex Type 1. You can try some over-the-counter antiviral creams, or just stick to taking oral medicine to manage it.😉😉

Look, boosting your immune system is necessary, but even then, things like wind, stress, exhaustion, your period, a sunburn, or just a common cold can trigger a flare-up on the Febrile.

Honestly, what’s really getting to me is that I dealt with HPV and CIN issues about three or four years ago, and now I'm just constantly terrified it might all come back... especially since my immune system has been feeling pretty run down lately.

Found out recently that someone in my immediate family has herpes. It’s a close one, too... and now I'm wondering how risky it actually is if I, say, kiss them on the face—because I can't just stop being affectionate... but then again, I'm freaking out because I don't want to catch this thing on top of all the other crap I'm dealing with. Obviously, I can't just distance myself, nor do I want to, but still... it matters. When I can't even bring myself to kiss them, I feel like absolute garbage... Does anyone know the actual risk of infection in a situation like that (like kissing on the face)? (Sorry if someone already asked something similar)

It’s honestly terrifying to think about what would happen if someone close to you was diagnosed with hepatitis or AIDS.

Harold Ramirez49 said:It’s honestly terrifying to think about what would happen if someone close to you was diagnosed with hepatitis or AIDS.

Depends on how it spreads. I read online that Herpes can even pass from parent to child just through a kiss... Not sure. Just wondering if anyone here has dealt with something similar and actually knows how much of a risk we're looking at...

Which herpes are we talking about? Probably the Herpes Simplex kind that pops up on your lip. That one’s contagious to others during the "blister" stage. The fluid inside those little blisters is loaded with the virus. Once it bursts and dries out, you don't really have to worry about spreading it through contact... but seriously, just don't kiss family members while you've got blisters.😁

Most of us have been carrying around Herpes Simplex type 1 since we were kids, though for the vast majority, it never actually shows up clinically. So, there is a very high probability you’re already a carrier without ever having felt a single symptom. Once it gets into your system, it’s there for good—dormant, essentially. There is no way to wipe it out. It just sits there until your immune system takes a hit, which is when things get activated. As far as transmission goes, you really need to steer clear of anyone dealing with an active outbreak on their lips. It can even spread through shared items like glasses if they aren't washed properly. Honestly, nothing guarantees you won't catch it if you haven't already...

alright, thanks for all the input, I think I get it now. Might already have the virus, and even if I don't, there's a pretty good chance I'll catch it sooner or later... long term, seems impossible to dodge. Bottom line: when the virus is active, you're way more likely to pass it on...

Steven Carter12 said:alright, thanks for all the input, I think I get it now. Might already have the virus, and even if I don't, there's a pretty good chance I'll catch it sooner or later... long term, seems impossible to dodge. Bottom line: when the virus is active, you're way more likely to pass it on...

I'm with them on this one. 👍

Steven Carter12 said:Found out recently that someone in my immediate family has herpes. It’s a close one, too... and now I'm wondering how risky it actually is if I, say, kiss them on the face—because I can't just stop being affectionate... but then again, I'm freaking out because I don't want to catch this thing on top of all the other crap I'm dealing with. Obviously, I can't just distance myself, nor do I want to, but still... it matters. When I can't even bring myself to kiss them, I feel like absolute garbage... Does anyone know the actual risk of infection in a situation like that (like kissing on the face)? (Sorry if someone already asked something similar)

I think you'll be fine. It isn't some "disease" passed through simple touch; it's transmitted via blood or other bodily fluids...

So... stop stressing and move on.🙂

casualhound10 said:I think you'll be fine. It isn't some "disease" passed through simple touch; it's transmitted via blood or other bodily fluids...

So... stop stressing and move on.🙂

And what other fluids are we even talking about here? Saliva? Is that the big threat? It’s not exactly a massive deal if a few droplets of spit end up on a face and then move to someone else's mouth... But honestly, when dealing with herpes, that's almost a moot point because there's such a high chance you'll come into contact with it anyway (like using a poorly washed, contaminated glass at a cafe or something)...

I was wondering, does Herpes Simplex count as part of the same category as the herpes that shows up on other parts of the body? I don't mean the genital areas, obviously, but more like... say, on different patches of skin across the body. And how does that even happen? Does it mean the virus can, theoretically, just erupt anywhere?

casualhound10 said:I think you'll be fine. It isn't some "disease" passed through simple touch; it's transmitted via blood or other bodily fluids...

So... stop stressing and move on.🙂

No big deal anymore. I've accepted things for what they are, whatever happens, happens. Maybe just be a little more careful when the herpes is flaring up... I actually read that the virus spreads pretty easily (Pfizer's website mentions it, though they don't go into much detail) - but it's interesting that an active phase might happen once and never again, or it could flare up every few months. Says it's totally different for everyone... thanks for the advice. 👍

Jamie Davis17 said:I was wondering, does Herpes Simplex count as part of the same category as the herpes that shows up on other parts of the body? I don't mean the genital areas, obviously, but more like... say, on different patches of skin across the body. And how does that even happen? Does it mean the virus can, theoretically, just erupt anywhere?

From what I've gathered, it can break out pretty much anywhere. I read somewhere that it's even more common on the hands for healthcare workers because they touch infected skin... probably from touching near blisters without protection, though I'm not sure if that's simplex or something else.