February 2020 Newsletter
HSV InfectionsTreatment OptionsDiagnostic TestingHerpes & PregnancyOral Herpes InfectionsAsymptomatic Viral SheddingSmart LivingVaccines for Herpes

Herpes.org Newsletter- February 2020 by Dr. H., Medical Director www.herpes.org posted February 01, 2020 Welcome to the Herpes.org Newsletter. In this, issue, we invite you to read these articles: Alternatives in Intimacy. The Psychology of Herpes. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Hello Herpes.org Community My name is Citizen H. I'm a male in my 20s from the United States. I reached out to Dr. H because I loved what he was doing, and I appreciated his selfless work. I was diagnosed with herpes in July of 2019. I had just come out of a very difficult season of life and was finally feeling some joy. I had been doing well in my career, relationships, and improving myself. I remember the day sitting there thinking to myself, "Wow, things are actually starting to look up." The next day the diagnosis from the doctor came concluding I was positive for HSV-2. I couldn't believe it. I was always careful with whom I engaged with sexually and would always ask for their test results. Nobody I had sex with knew they had anything. I categorize it as an unlucky experience, but as I'm sure you know, that doesn't stop anxiety and depression from taking its toll. I understand how you feel. I understand the fear, sadness, and potentially anger that comes with this diagnosis. It's tough. I get that it can make dating difficult. It has for me. You think, "Will I ever find love?" The worst thing is disclosing to someone you trust and having them tell you that you are disgusting. I understand it can make you feel isolated from your family and friends. ItÕs painful to hold back a secret you might never tell them, even though you strive to live a life of authenticity and openness. This diagnosis can easily lead you down a path of isolation, depression, and potentially much worse thoughts; however, I refuse to let that to happen to me. I've used this as an opportunity to grow, get involved, and help others. My philosophy in life has always been about helping others and improving myself. I have found I enjoy reaching out and comforting others who are diagnosed with HSV. We must remember to keep our heads high, know there is somebody out there who will love us, know it doesn't define us, and use this opportunity to motivate ourselves to become better. Harness the negatives impacts of your diagnosis and improve yourself. Start focusing on your career and passions. Increase your job skills, start going to the gym, improve your diet, and invest in yourself spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Do a self-examination and see what it was that led you to the point where you are and adapt. Learn, grow, and accept yourself. It will be okay. Also, remember that there are many good treatments on the horizon. In the next 10 years, herpes may be a thing of the past. But instead of waiting, act by utilizing this time to grow and become a better version of yourself. After all, you only have one life, don't let this reality take years away from you. Thank you for reading this. I hope my philosophy on life to help others, get involved, and improve myself, despite this circumstance, will inspire you to do the same. We're all in this together. -Citizen H ---------------------------------------------------------------------- An Encouraging Discussion by a Prominent Scientist on the Potential for a CURE for Herpes Simplex Infections Gene Editing to Pursue a Cure for Herpes Infections This is a link to a website where you may contribute to this research! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Recent Work on Herpes Simplex Treatments and Vaccines This is a comprehensive list of many of the updated treatments for 2020 This company is making interesting progress in developing a Herpes vaccine An Estimate on the Future of HSV Vaccines and Cure Intramuscular Vaccine can Contribute to Genital Herpes Immunity Results from a Trial on Herpes Vaccine: Some Reason to be Cheerful, but Placebo Also Works Strategies for developing a Herpes Simplex Vaccine ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Useful websites to look into for performing your own study: WebMD Drugs.com CDC.gov ---------------------------------------------------------------------- RATE OF GENITAL HERPES INFECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES DECLINING A study by Fujie Xu et al. published in the August 2006 Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) examined trends in HSV-1 (oral herpes) and HSV-2 (genital herpes) in the United States in 1999-2004 compared with 1988-1994. Cross-sectional, nationally representative surveys of blood tests of people ages 14 to 49 were taken to determine HSV-1 and HSV-2 estimates from 1999-2004 with those from 1988-1994. The results showed that between 1999 and 2004, 17% of Americans had HSV-2 down from 21% of Americans with HSV-2 between 1988 and 1994. Decreases in HSV-2 seroprevalence were especially concentrated in people ages 14 to 19. The study also found a reduction in the rate of infection with HSV-1, the virus that causes cold sores. HSV-1 fell from 62% between 1988 and 1994, to 57.7% between 1999 and 2004. The researchers warn, however, that HSV-1 may one day become an important cause of genital herpes. An increase in rates of teens having oral sex is partially attributed to helping reduce the rate of HSV-2, but it may also be increasing genital infections with HSV-1. For any other questions, contact Dr. H at HERPES.ORG THIS PAPER WILL BE UPDATED AT PERIODIC INTERVALS AS SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE, APPROVED THERAPIES, AND FEEDBACK FROM USERS OF THIS SITE SUGGEST NEW INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE CIRCULATED. HERPES.ORG DOES NOT PURPORT TO ESTABLISH A PHYSICIAN-PATIENT RELATIONSHIP. ALL TREATMENT DECISIONS SHOULD BE MADE BETWEEN A PATIENT AND HIS/HER PRIVATE PHYSICIAN. NO TREATMENTS SHOULD BE ATTEMPTED WITHOUT A FIRM AND CONVINCING DIAGNOSIS OF THE CONDITION BEING TREATED.