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The Godfather · Oct 22, 2006, 11:04 PM

I don't know if it is scare propaganda by the religious right, but I read somewhere that 20% of adults is contaminated with the herpes virus. Does any of you does anything at all to prevent it? Or is it an unevitable risk of regular life, going to bed with someone with a don't-ask-don't-tell attitude? Do you let your herpes ridden friends use your keyboard and mouse? Is it considered an epidemic in this country yet?

Doofy · Oct 22, 2006, 11:10 PM

Well... ...there's loads of ads on the TV for cold sores, ain't there?

A friend of mine got it off a girl called "Binny Lynny"*. I've shared keyboards with him and haven't contracted it.

(* generally, if someone has a nickname which implies something to do with trash, don't get cuddly with her)

dbranham · Oct 22, 2006, 11:28 PM

Actually, it's more like 90% of people that have it. But, it is most often latent, so there are no noticeable symptoms. Also, there are two kinds--on the mouth / on the **bleep**.

You can contract it by sharing a keyboard/mouse, but it's not highly likely. Kissing, on the other hand...

Andy8 · Oct 22, 2006, 11:32 PM

Actually it is more like a 2/3's of the population have some form of herpes, and most do not even know they are carrying the virus. If you have a strong immune system, most people will never see a symptoms in their life. You would have a tough time catching herpes from a keyboard and mouse unless the person carrying the virus was having an outbreak of somesort, and even then it would be confined to the mouth, lips or genitals in the majority of cases.

Spook E · Oct 22, 2006, 11:47 PM

Isn't the Herpes - Simplex virus the one that gives you chicken pox? Apparently it lives in the nerve bundle at the base of the spine and waits for a trigger to activate it.

For instance, my immune system was under a heap of stress once (due to an overzealous, but brilliant weight loss strategy i devised) and i ended up with Shingles as my low immune system was rife for it to come out of hiding and cause some mischief. Itchy!

Dark Helmet · Oct 22, 2006, 11:54 PM

Which herpes are you talking about? The kind on your mouth or the OTHER one?

Nebagakid · Oct 23, 2006, 12:03 AM

the OTHER one is called Genital Herpes.

Most people, from that 66%-90% number, have Oral Herpes, it is what causes cold sores. If you have gotten a cold sore, you have oral herpes. It is no big deal. Most people don't get it really bad, but for some people, getting a cold sore means that it can spread and then you need medicine for it.

There is also genital herpes, which is really really bad.

Oddly enough, you can get genital herpes on your mouth, and oral herpes on your genitals. So, best to stay away from anybody with cold sores or bumps on their genitals.

Sorry, were we too uncomfortable to say genitals?

besson3c · Oct 23, 2006, 12:20 AM

Originally Posted by Nebagakid

the OTHER one is called Genital Herpes.

Most people, from that 66%-90% number, have Oral Herpes, it is what causes cold sores. If you have gotten a cold sore, you have oral herpes. It is no big deal. Most people don't get it really bad, but for some people, getting a cold sore means that it can spread and then you need medicine for it.

There is also genital herpes, which is really really bad.

Oddly enough, you can get genital herpes on your mouth, and oral herpes on your genitals. So, best to stay away from anybody with cold sores or bumps on their genitals.

Sorry, were we too uncomfortable to say genitals?

It can also cause canker sores. I have this problem. I literally have at least one canker sore more often than I don't. Right now I'm doing okay with having one, but I've had close to a dozen in my mouth.

I've tried every sort of medication there is, and they don't seem to be set off by food triggers...

*shrug*

I have never had a cold sore in my life though, nor genital herpes.

Nebagakid · Oct 23, 2006, 12:34 AM

Valtrex is a common herpes medication, for oral and genital herpes.

SeSawaya · Oct 23, 2006, 12:58 AM

I'm personally against Herpes.

wait, what was the question?

The Godfather · Oct 23, 2006, 02:04 AM

The question is: do you ask your bed partners whether they have herpes? Do you care?

moonmonkey · Oct 23, 2006, 04:48 AM

I think herpies should get a job and cut their damn hair.

JoshuaZ · Oct 23, 2006, 05:59 AM

Just remember, oral can become genital (and the other way as well). Which seems to be a very common thing these days. Which is why its now impossible to tell if you have type 1 or type 2, because they've moved to both areas.

This isn't a new problem. I remember reading of one Roman emperor who banned public kissing because of a massive herpes (fever blisters) outbreak in the general population.

To be honest, most people in America make too big a deal out of it.

Cody Dawg · Oct 23, 2006, 06:54 AM

My son has the oral kind and it's just as bad as the genital kind IMO.

He's had it since he was about 3. His father gave it to him - I've never had a cold sore in my life - as his father gets them routinely and that's the only way he could have gotten it. (He went on vacation with him and came home with a cold sore - go figure.)

Anyway, he not only gets the cold sores on his mouth, but recently they've migrated to other parts of his face. Right now he has a terrible sore on his chin about the size of a half dollar. Six months ago he had a huge one on his cheek. It's not that common, but it happens, and when the disease migrates to other nerve endings like that it can cause serious complications, like blindness.

Type 1 or Type 2 makes no difference in my opinion.

It's more serious for women because if they are infected for the first time while pregnant the disease can transfer to the fetus and kill the baby and if they have an outbreak while giving birth it can blind or kill the baby.

wallinbl · Oct 23, 2006, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

He's had it since he was about 3. His father gave it to him - I've never had a cold sore in my life - as his father gets them routinely and that's the only way he could have gotten it. (He went on vacation with him and came home with a cold sore - go figure.)

Boy Scout trip, or are you Catholic?

(sorry, bad taste, I know)

Dakar² · Oct 23, 2006, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by wallinbl

Sorry, bad taste. I know)

You were in the Boy Scouts or Catholic too, eh?

SirCastor · Oct 23, 2006, 08:30 AM

Cold sores are common, but there aren't the indicator that a person has herpes. Getting a cold sore means yes, you carry the virus. Not getting a cold sore doesn't mean you don't carry it at all...

FWIW. Shingles, Herpes, ChickenPox, and Small Pox (and a host of others I'm sure) are all the same family of virii.

Atheist · Oct 23, 2006, 09:29 AM

Statistically 20-25% is infected with Simplex II, and about 80% is infected with Simplex I. There are now blood tests that can detect both. However it's rather useless knowledge. You can have one or both and never have physical symptoms. As someone said in an earlier post.. it used to be the general consensus that Simplex I was above the waist, Simplex II below. It is now believed that either can manifest anywhere on the body.

And yes... if you have a cold sore... you have Herpes. (It's Herpes Simplex that causes cold sores / genital sores. Herpes Zoster causes chickenpox and shingles.)

All-in-all... Herpes is a bitch... but not that difficult to live with.

slugslugslug · Oct 23, 2006, 10:18 AM

Oh, man, I was all ready to jump in with the Zoster/Simplex distinction, and it shows up in the last post I see.

I don't think it makes sense to categorically say that genital herpes is worse than having it on your face. I haven't had a genital herpes outbreak in ~5 years. But I've known people who get massive, painful outbreaks on their nose and mouth around once a month. I'm not sure if there's a consistent difference in severity between types I and II, or if it's all just a matter of the individual's immune system, genetics, etc.

But yeah, I think for most people who have it, it's not that difficult to live with, as Atheist says.

Oops, a little TMI back there, huh? Oh well.

Dakar² · Oct 23, 2006, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by slugslugslug

Oh, man, I was all ready to jump in with the Zoster/Simplex distinction, and it shows up in the last post I see.

Get a little excited about herpes, do we?

ChrisF · Oct 23, 2006, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by besson3c

It can also cause canker sores. I have this problem. I literally have at least one canker sore more often than I don't. Right now I'm doing okay with having one, but I've had close to a dozen in my mouth.
I've tried every sort of medication there is, and they don't seem to be set off by food triggers...

Canker sores are not herpes-related and aren't contagious.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/canker-sore/DS00354
I have trouble with particular gum and toothpastes causing canker sores but don't have herpes.
If you chew gum, try stopping it, and make sure your toothpaste doesn't have sodium lauryl sulfate.

Dark Helmet · Oct 23, 2006, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by Nebagakid

Oddly enough, you can get genital herpes on your mouth, and oral herpes on your genitals. So, best to stay away from anybody with cold sores or bumps on their genitals.

That happened to my friend. He slept with someone who had a tiny sore on his wiener and by the time he noticed and stopped but it was too late as a week later he got a HUGE cold soar on his mouth and nose for the first time in his life.

The thing that bothers me is how anyone can sleep with someone else willingly when they know they have genital herpes. I don't think it was done maliciously though as I know both of them so the infected person might not have known what it was or didn't know he had a visible sore.

Luckily I have never had either and when I see a cold-sore on someone mouth I make sure nothing gets shared between us.

dbranham · Oct 23, 2006, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by moonmonkey

I think herpies should get a job and cut their damn hair.

Haha, and quit huggin trees. Otherwise, you won't be able to find a tree anywhere that ain't got herpes!

Rumor · Oct 23, 2006, 12:42 PM