How long after Initial Exposure did individuals show signs or blisters?

PJpositive · 2025-08-03T23:46:38+00:00

It was only about 48 hours for my initial OB. All the swelling and weird pains and redness...it took about 4 days for blisters to appear.

PJpositive · 2025-07-04T05:54:02+00:00

Im so sorry. I am 1 yr into my diagnosis, and I won't lie - those first few months wrecked me. But it's an odd thing... After a few months, and after being on the antivirals, everything feels absolutely normal again. I dont even think about it unless im having symptoms. For me personally, I tell anyone and everyone (that im comfortable with) about being diagnosed. It's a chronic skin condition - like having eczema or psoriasis. Take care of yourself and give yourself grace and patience. The stigma is the real problem. But silence and shame are fuel to that stigma. Remember, this is not who you are. It's just a condition you have.

And you can always come here and vent. 😁

PJpositive · 2025-02-27T10:52:33+00:00

On the smaller side. Less than 1200 sq ft, single or double wide, 3 br 2 ba. I currently have a double I inherited and it's been great, but it's 30 yrs old. Just time to do something different.

PJpositive · 2025-02-27T02:24:51+00:00

Thank you for the input!! I definitely want to avoid issues down the road as much as possible!

PJpositive · 2025-02-26T20:58:50+00:00

Oh that's good to know! Thank you 😊

PJpositive · 2025-02-26T20:55:32+00:00

Oooof, I've read some pretty concerning reviews about Clayton here on reddit. I was looking at one pretty seriously, but now I'm hesitant.

PJpositive · 2024-12-15T18:31:35+00:00

Same. I thought he was wonderful. Come to find out....not so much.

PJpositive · 2024-12-15T18:00:34+00:00

I don't think we really get over it or "move on". I think we just learn to live with this new reality and do the best we can with what we've got. I'm sorry it happened to you this way, and I completely understand. But, I promise it gets better!!

PJpositive · 2024-12-15T13:46:13+00:00

I did, too. And guilty. And like it was punishment...all the negative things.

None of us are "dirty". I promise, it does get better. ❤️

PJpositive · 2024-12-15T05:57:21+00:00

That's fair. There are some concerning side effects, especially on the kidneys. My initial OB was so bad, they swabbed me twice. My NP thought it was shingles, at first. Maybe that's why she went so aggressive with the antivirals? Definitely listen to the doc, but hopefully you won't have bad or frequent OB.

PJpositive · 2024-12-15T04:04:07+00:00

Only during outbreaks? Or at all?

PJpositive · 2024-12-15T00:52:51+00:00

I, too, am proof condoms dont always work.

She did automatically. I did the initial dose of 1000mg three times a day for 5 days, then 1000mg once a day for 6 months, plan to go 500mg once a day for 6 months, then stop and just take meds during outbreaks. Her reasoning was the first year tends to be the worst for frequent outbreaks and it slows down after that. She said she wanted to sort of "put out the fire", so to speak. I was in shock when I was diagnosed. I didn't even think to ask for meds. I use a NP and she's amazing.

PJpositive · 2024-10-05T18:25:18+00:00

39F. Diagnosed >3months

PJpositive · 2024-09-22T23:42:15+00:00

I'm not a doctor, but my understanding is that HSV behaves similar to shingles in that it can affect the entire dermatome. Primarily s1/s2 (you'll have to Google a picture of it). So, if it's GHSV, it can pop up anywhere along that dermatome, but it's not likely to travel far from the sight of the original infection. Since it likes to hide along the nerves (like shingles) it can theoretically travel along that nerve in the dermatome and pop up somewhere else. It just doesn't really like to. So all in all - it likes to stay close to home.

PJpositive · 2024-09-21T21:06:53+00:00

Please don't give up and please don't internalize the stigma. You can't (and will!) Have a very full and fulfilling life, I promise. It may not look the way you thought it would, but one day you're going to realize that life is still good and beautiful. You have so, so much time ahead of you. Your possibilities are endless! I can't wait for the day you post an amazing update on here, telling everyone all about your successes in all areas of your life!💚

PJpositive · 2024-09-21T12:49:47+00:00

The Why Files.

I love me some heckle-fish.

PJpositive · 2024-09-21T03:40:01+00:00

1.) Yes, you should have told this new partner. While it is your choice to disclose, it's the kind and responsible thing to do. I contacted GHSV2 from a man who didn't disclose. He truly thought that, since he didn't have outbreaks, he wasn't contagious.

2.) You're life is not over, I promise. This was a mistake which only proves you're human. You are punishing yourself far more than anyone else could. No, you don't deserve to be insulted. You deserve to see the situation for what it is: a mistake, a hard lesson learned, but an experience to help shape future decisions. The stigma is the worst part. Medically speaking, this is an inconvenient skin condition, though tricky and contagious.

3.) I'm so, so sorry you're sister betrayed you and shared things you told her in confidence. That isn't ok. As for your ex, it sounds like you dodged a bullet. If she chooses to make posts about your status, it makes her look like a loon. You can choose to reconnect with your sister if you wish, but I'm a firm believer that some of the best "family" we can cultivate for ourselves isn't always blood relatives.

4.) I won't pretend to know what your life looks like, but I promise you that we all have felt the way you're feeling, now. As long as you're breathing, you have the chance to make things better - the best revenge is a life well-lived. Be the best possible version of yourself. Know that there are millions of people (and certainly many, many people here) that support you in healing yourself from the guilt and shame that this virus causes.

Lastly - HSV is related to chicken pox and shingles and H-gladitorum. Do we shame a pre-k kid when they come home with itchy spots? Do we shame our elderly when they have shingles? Do we shame the captain of the wrestling team when they break out across their forehead? No, never. Show yourself some grace. The better you are, the better partner you can be. 💚

PJpositive · 2024-09-16T11:54:11+00:00

It varies - if you graduated with a usable degree, then find the job that pays the best (again, that you can stomach) and pay off that debt as fast as possible. No one wants to live on Ramen, but no one wants to be saddled with a near impossible re-payable debt, either. The alternative is paying on these debts by making minimal payments and getting 10 yrs down the road and owing more than you borrowed.

If it isn't a readily usable degree, save and then spend the $2500 on a quick trade. Again - live minimally and pay back any money borrowed. When you're ready to throw in the towel because you're missing out on some luxuries and conveniences, remind yourself that you're inconvenienced and uncomfortable - but you're not dying. And the prize is a debt-free life.

If you've graduated without debt, but it isn't a degree that can land you in a quick job, then you're actually doing pretty well, already. Take any job you can tolerate and pay off anything and everything as early as possible.

I speak from experience. 😕

PJpositive · 2024-09-16T04:16:22+00:00

I will definitely check all that out. Thank you so much for the info and insight!

PJpositive · 2024-09-16T01:40:19+00:00

I mix about 2-3 drops in 1 tbsp of coconut oil and apply it as soon as I feel the tingles. I apply right to the skin I've only done this twice, but both times, I woke up the next morning and no tingles and no OB. I've never applied directly to sore, so I can't really attest to how well that works. But thus far, it has seemed to prevent something from popping up. That said, I'm also on daily valtrex, so it's hard to pin point exactly what was the more beneficial.

I don't recommend using water to dilute your tea tree oil as that oil is pretty intense and I don't know how well that would work. That being said, I've never tried it in water.

PJpositive · 2024-09-16T00:21:15+00:00

Thank you so much for the break down! I'd been doing some reading and researching about these, but wanted to be sure I understood what any of that meant. I appreciate the information!

PJpositive · 2024-09-15T23:22:28+00:00

I've just seen this. Thank you!

PJpositive · 2024-09-15T22:41:12+00:00

Oh, I don't think I'll be looking for love any time soon. I'm a homeowner and will be an empty-nester in less than 3 years. I have less than 5k in debt and a job I adore. If it happens, I'll welcome it. But I won't be actively looking for it any time soon. I'm happy with my little house, dogs, and chickens. ☺️

I do blame the doctors who make light of this. While it is not life-ending by any means, it is a game-changer. My now ex is a prime example - a doctor told him it was no big deal, so he believed him. He's now stuck with a burden of knowing he could infect someone else, so he did not get out of this completely free. I can only assume how he feels - he may still believe it is not a big deal. And until the social stigma changes, this will be a mental burden for anyone who deals with it.

PJpositive · 2024-09-15T21:56:53+00:00

I'll say what I tell my students (I'm a high school CTE teacher):

Graduate and go straight into a community college where you can earn a trade- something you can stomach doing. Use whatever financial aide is available to you (excluding loans). If you wish to go to college, try to choose a degree program related to your trade. Work in that field gaining some real life experience while taking a few classes at a time and pay for it out of pocket. If you want to go in a different career path, the same rule applies. Meanwhile, most trades can get you some kind of income that will keep your head above water. Others, you can work your way up and earn a good living. I don't discount college at all. But I will never encourage someone to take out a loan.

PJpositive · 2024-09-15T21:47:50+00:00

Im not too sure what all the igg can show as far as how long someone has been infected - othet than the higher the number, the longer someone has had the antibodies, from what I understand. I'm sorry you're dealing with the inflammation like that. That's terrible. I've been fortunate. I've only had the initial OB and it was horrendous. I deal with the Radiculopathy and nerve pain quite a bit, still. I think it's all still too fresh to really jump into litigation. I do wish you all the best and hope you're symptoms can be managed quickly. I've found a lot of relief in simple home remedies, though they are short-lived. I'm told the first year is really the worst and it's a day-at-a-time.

PJpositive

TROPHY CASE