I have been living with herpes for about 7 years now. It was the first and only STD I've ever had. Around the time I was diagnosed, I had noticed some small red sores around my genitals. I had assumed that perhaps they were irritations from shaving. However, after a week had gone by, I thought that perhaps I should have it checked, since potential venereal disease is nothing to fool around with!

A few days after going to see my doctor, I received a phone call from her, telling me I had tested positive for Herpes. I was completely shocked, and felt as if my world had just caved in on me. This review is for those of you who may have been recently diagnosed....

THE FACTS
Part of the reason why I was shocked with my diagnosis was that, I always thought STDs were something that only prostitutes or promiscuous people got. Certainly not someone like me, who only had long-term monogamous relationships! However, I felt much better about my situation once I learned the facts.

Did you know that one in three adults has herpes??!! To me that number is HUGE, but it just goes to show you how common it is. Naturally, people don't go around telling their friends and family they have herpes, but it would stand to reason that a number of your friends and co-workers probably live with herpes every day ... people that you would normally never "suspect".

Herpes is a disease for life. In other words, once you get it, you will never be "cured". However, you can control the manifestation of the disease (outbreaks/sores) with certain drugs and proper hygiene.

OUTBREAKS/SORES
The frequency and severity of outbreaks varies by person. Some people may get a few sores, a few times a month, every month. Others may get one or two sores, just a few times a year. Still others may never get an outbreak again, after the first occasion.

While there is no way to determine which category you may fall into, there IS a general concensus as to what factors may contribute to more frequent outbreaks, namely mental stress, insufficient hygiene in the particular area, and the onset of menstruation. Therefore, it would stand to reason that it would be in your interest to try and keep stress at a minimum via proper exercise, relaxation, etc., and you should be sure to keep the genital area extra clean, by using a bidet if you have access to one, a few times a day. As to the menstruation aspect and its contribution, there is not much one can do about that, other than being aware of it, and perhaps trying to be even more proactive in minimizing stress, keeping clean, and possibly taking extra medication (which is discussed below).

A few days before an outbreak appears, you may notice a very slight tingling feeling in the area. (Over time, you will become more adept at "recognizing" the sensation.) And then, little by little, a small red bump will begin to appear. Over the next few days, the bump may get larger, a bit puffy, and may start to open up a bit, like a raw wound. In my experience, the actual sores last about 4 days from start to finish. I am not aware of any product that will help to make the sores feel better, or heal any faster. I've learned to just deal with it.

HOW IT IS TRANSMITTED
Herpes is transmitted by direct contact with an infected person, but only when the disease is in a TRANSMITTABLE state. The general concensus is that the disease is transmittable in the following instances: 1) when the infected person has an open sore, and someone else has genital or oral contact with the sore 2) when the infected person is in a pre-sore stage - usually just a day or two before an actual sore is evident - , and someone else has genital or oral contact with the area (note that transmission in such instances is extremely rare), and 3) during childbirth, I believe if the mother has an open sore, or has reason to believe that an outbreak is imminent, the doctor may decide to deliver the baby via a C-section, as opposed to vaginally.

While the above is the general understanding of how herpes is transmitted, there could be instances where someone has sexual contact with an infected person with an open sore, and yet the other person never contracts the disease. Of course that is a rarity, and no reason for anyone to act irresponsibly when having sex with a person known to have an open sore!

The best ways to prevent infection if you are having sex with a person known to have herpes is to determine if they have an open sore, or ask them if they think a new sore may be developing. If the answer to either scenario is "yes", then a condom should definitely be used during intercourse, and any other direct genital/genital or oral/genital contact should be avoided.

DRUGS TO CONTROL OUTBREAKS
There are a number of drugs on the market that are used to control herpes outbreaks. The only prescription drug that I am personally familiar with is Zovirax. I took this drug for a while, and it definitely decreased the frequency and severity of my outbreaks. In recent years though, as I became more interested in homeopathic remedies, I discovered a homeopathic medicine that works equally well, and that I continue to use ... it is called Super Lysine + by Quantum, and is available on Vitaminshoppe.com. I used to also buy another product at an organic-type store that I think was called Herpanacine, but I've since had trouble finding it, which is why I switched to the Super Lysine +. But regardless, I have found the homeopathic remedies to work just as well as the Zovirax. I take just one pill per day, and that seems to work fine.

NOTES FOR WOMEN ONLY
Women should take note that, as mentioned above, the onset of menstruation is often a precursor to an outbreak. Most often, when I have been remiss in taking my pills, I almost always find myself with an outbreak about a day into my period. As a result, I decided to alter my pill "schedule" to make up for this. About 2-3 days before I'm expecting my period, instead of taking one pill a day, I take two. I do this for about 3 days in succession, and I found that this greatly reduced menstrual-related outbreaks.

Also, if you do get an outbreak, it's much more comfortable to wear cotton underwear, which often have elastic covered with cotton, as opposed to other types of underwear which often have just a tight elastic, which can feel quite harsh if directly rubbing against a sore. The same rule would also apply to thong style underwear - only wear it if it's cotton... Of course another option is tap pants, or else no underwear at all... :--)

FINAL THOUGHTS
Although herpes is an incurable disease, and carries somewhat of a stigma with it, it is really not life-altering in the big scheme of things. I take 1 or 2 pills a day, and beyond that, my life is virtually unchanged.

Recommended: No