#hsv activism

[somethingpositive4positivepeople]

SPFPP 283: Married Celibacy & Government Herpes Funding Goals

Kim is 51 years old, newly diagnosed as of January, never had symptoms, and is coming out of a 10 year period of celibacy from marriage. That is the first 20 minutes of the podcast and is QUITE the story.

The rest of it we talk about an open discussion we sat in where the public health field received funding in 2021, and they want to finally include herpes in the STD prevention plans and throw some money at it. In this episode, we talk about how that went for those who weren't able to make it. We share some predictions and possible solutions for what we hope to see happen as a result of the herpes community's input.

[expressionismeh]

Found out about the extremely potential hsv2 and decided to not make decisions that hold me back already. I went out on the boat with that guy and ended up disclosing my likely diagnosis at the point I made it clear I like him. We were out at the bar with him and his buddies when he flirted with this girl. I said something like what you tryna do there and he immediately pulled me aside and was expressing how he wasnt sure if I just wanted to be friends or not. I told him I definitely like him and I think he’s extremely sexy and immediately followed it with im very sure about this diagnosis. He was very chill and basically was like let’s do whatever until you can sort that out. I ended up spending the night at his house and we did literally anything we could while being safe. I had an incredible time with him and im so thankful to have had this experience less than 24hours after I found out

[positivesinglesdate]

Be sensitive and support those suffering from AIDS

[batmanisagatewaydrug]

I was given oral herpes by someone who didn't feel the need to disclose that they got cold sores before we had a one-time little dalliance.

I might've gone for it anyways. I'm self destructive. But I guess the lack of being able to choose whether to take the risk, it's left me feeling pretty bitter about the experience.

And I'm left feeling like a biohazard. I haven't really been able to explain to my friends yet why I'm suddenly extremely cagey about sharing my drinks and food. And all my favorite sexual activities are off the table forever. I know, dental dams, condoms, but half the fun of oral sex and making out is, you know, the taste, the heat, the absolute control. I was good at it.

It feels especially embarrassing since I'm ace and the whole reason I hooked up with the person was kind of... I don't know, fear that if I didn't, then we wouldn't be able to hang out anymore.

I'm not sure what I'm asking. Maybe, was it wrong for them not to disclose something like that? Considering how common it is? I feel obligated to disclose myself but maybe I'm just weird for that.

Thanks for doing what you do here.

Kind regards,

Asexual for Ethical Reasons Now I Guess

hi anon,

I don't often apologize for needing time to get to anons, because I really need people to have reasonable expectations about the amount of time I'm willing to commit to my inbox, but I am sorry for not getting to this one sooner. it's a topic that's very important to me, and I can tell you're dealing with a lot of hurt.

first off: I'm very sorry someone wasn't totally honest with you. that's never a good feeling, and especially in the context of sex it's a huge betrayal of trust. it's deeply unfair to you, and I hope you're able to recover from that.

having said that: you are not a biohazard. you're a person with an incredibly common virus. the World Health Organization estimates that somewhere around 80% of people worldwide have herpes (and that's a rough estimate, since they use different age ranges for HSV-1 and HSV-2). skip to the factual part of this tiktok at 00:10 seconds. herpes has been with us since before we were human; there's nothing disgusting or even unusual about having herpes.

herpes is different from most STIs in that it is lifelong, but that doesn't make you an unfuckable pariah. it makes you someone who may sometimes have open sores, and should give partners a heads up about your virus to avoid putting anyone in the same situation you're in. while you're at it, let them know that most people with herpes live asymptomatic and uncomplicated lives. many people never even know they have it!

I understand that spending the rest of your life with a viral buddy doesn't sound super fun right now, but I promise that as viruses go you can do WAY worse.

personally I've always felt the best way to get comfortable with something is to learn more about it. why not let clinical sexologist Dr. Doe talk to you about her own herpes, and how to be conscientious about minimizing the risk of sharing herpes with others?

or listen to writer Ella Dawson talk about learning to cope with the exact stigma you're currently struggling with?

or listen to Dr. Sydnee Smirl McElroy explain why herpes bears such a heavy stigma for such a mild virus in the first place?

you're not a biohazard, and neither is anyone else with an STI. that's a terrible way to think about yourself and others.

you're under no obligation to stop being sexually active if you don't want to be.

please don't feel that you have to have sex with anyone out of a sense of obligation anymore, but also please don't feel that herpes is a punishment. sickness isn't something that happens to people because they're bad or deserve, sickness happens to people because people get sick.

take care 💜

[drdemonprince]

genuine question, I get why blaming people who have just caught covid for it is some fucked up victim blaming bullshit, and highly analogous to shaming ppl who've gotten an STI, but is it okay to assign blame/responsibility to people who *give* others covid? it seems to me that just like with STIs (particularly HIV and HSV bc they're not curable) its your responsibility as like, a person who has sex and isn't a total asshole, to do a reasonably good job of knowing whether you have these things, and then either give people who might catch it from you the ability to consent knowing that, or only interact with people in such a way that transmission is highly unlikely. In other words, having or getting an infection is morally neutral, but failing to break the chain of transmission isn't, especially when that failure results from complete inaction/ignoring the problem, as opposed to *attempting* to break it and failing due to factors outside your control. I've seen people saying that beleiving this is the same as slut shaming people who get STIs, and tbh that seems ridiculous to me, but what do you think? is "if you have covid and pass it on to someone, especially by going around in public without a mask, you are morally responsible for the harm the disease causes them" incorrect/going to backfire in some way I'm not seeing? I do get how the same statement about HIV is not good, but also you can't give someone HIV by eating in the same restaurant, so it seems like there are some important differences.

The passage on moralizing HIV transmission in Sarah Schulman's book Conflict is Not Abuse is a real stand-out passage in an otherwise (to me) highly underwhelming tome -- because Schulman has been involved in AIDS activism since its early days and is very conversant in the laws that have been used to incarcerate gay men and others for having the virus, and for supposedly passing it along to other people.

We can philosophize all we want about how wrong it would be for a person to knowingly go about infecting other people, but when we're actually dealing with how such matters go in the real world, it's not a useful moral or practical question. How do we know that someone knows they have the virus? Do we consider a person morally culpable if they have the sniffles but brush it off, not realizing it's something more serious? What about an Autistic person or trauma survivor with alexithymia, who is not closely attuned with their body states? If I can walk around with a bleeding gash on my leg for hours or a bloody UTI and not know it, I can have a mild cold and not know it. Am I too blame for spreading the virus then? What about someone who does know they have COVID but has no legal protections in their workplace and no financial support and determines they have no choice but to do a shift at the grocery store, because otherwise they'll be fired and at risk of homelessness?

These might sound like extreme examples, but we're talking about collectively millions of people's everyday experiences here. If a person is at fault for any disease that they spread, what then? What logically follows from that declaration? Should we make knowing transmission illegal? We've already seen in history how such a policy is used to terrorize and oppress gay men. It's an impossible thing to enforce, because someone's knowledge state is impossible to fully know or surveil, especially when we're not, you know, providing tests to anyone in any kind of systematic way, and in fact our government and most of our employers are actively discouraging us from testing or knowing too much.

Of course, I doubt that you actually want any kind of legal policy like that very much. I'm certain what you are really asking about is what responsibilities we should reasonably expect individual people to hold. And the answer is, well, look at how they are holding them now! Clearly people do not have adequate support at the moment to even be cognizant of their status. It's not a useful question. It just isn't. If we were providing free tests every day at major public access points and legally protecting people's rights to call off sick whenever they did test positive, and paying them lost wages, then we could talk about people being irresponsible and knowingly spreading a disease out of malice or laziness. but we don't have any of that, so we can't.

The solution to a population failing to take the "right" actions is always to look at the external factors that makes taking the right action hard. And right now? Being responsible surrounding covid is very, very hard. We can condemn every person who spreads COVID (or HIV) to another person morally all we like, but it's not going to save lives, and it's going to harm a lot of vulnerable people in the process, so why do it? Why not instead ask ourselves what we can do as a society to help make it easier for a person to behave in pro-social ways?

[boysaremytoys]

herpes can still be passed on even if you don't have active sores. the good news though is that it's way less common and usually oral herpes are caused by hsv-1 while genital herpes are usually caused by hsv-2. however you obviously shouldn't do mouth on mouth or mouth on genitals action if you have active sores. i hope this doesn't make you uncomfortable, just wanted to spread the info because your answer to that anon is a very good example of how uninformed ppl can be about stis

[bittsandpieces]

Same anon who asked about condom vs no condom:

Thanks for the answer, and the free advice! If I may ask a follow-up question: should I get myself checked for STDs even if I've never had sex? Or like, get some kind of documentation that I could show to a future partner?

I'm not even in a relationship rn, but sometimes I think about these things and how I can prepare to be a good partner, especially since I'm amab and attracted to women (to borrow a phrase from you, I think of my gender as "not quite a man") and feel like I need to be especially proactive in making my future partner feel as safe as possible.

This got a little rambly sorry 😭

I think getting tested is a good idea even if you're not sexually active! Obviously, STDs are primarily sexually transmitted, but not exclusively! You can contract various stds through any exchange of bodily fluids: split, blood, etc, and some (like oral herpes, aka HSV-1) quite commonly get passed along during childhood (say, a child sneezes into another child's mouth). Between 50-80% of adults in the US have HSV-1, and by the age of 50 about 90% of people will have been exposed to it, though not all of them contract it.

I think there's a lot of fear mongering about STDs, and while many of them can have serious health consequences, many of them are treatable, and some are curable! The best thing we can do is be aware of our own status, and be communicative with the people in our lives that might affect us, or be affected. This is one of those cases where more information is absolutely better than less!

[godsprettiestprincess]

26, 28, & 40 :3

26: My biggest pet peeves

It makes me feel like such a dick but truly I cannot stand self-deprecation and self pity. I count it as a pet peeve because obviously there’s nothing truly wrong with it but I’m such an empathetic person (derogatory) that if someone is being a bummer it’s going to make me associate them with that which is gonna put me on edge.

ALSO on a much lighter note, failing to consider context of things when drawing conclusions on it. See: “Sam and Dean are soulmates.” Top 10 sentences that will set me off like a rabid animal

28: A description of the person I dislike the most

Dbsvvs this is so petty — obviously there’s the Elon Musk contenders but in the spirit of being honest in this random blogging website question game I’m going to say I don’t put in the effort of disliking him as much as I do someone who is actively in my life (and therefore to not want to name for fear of being a dick hsvs) SO I’m just going to say someone who is constantly pushing on the pet peeves I just listed. Great way to make me start pulling myself out of ur orbit.

40: Who I wish I could be

Yk. Not that long ago I would’ve said something along the lines of myself but years in the future having done all tedious school stuff and established in my career — but now I find myself really enjoying all that. So I’ll just say “me but in possession of the cute and functional and not horribly expensive detachable rollerskate wheels that apparently do not exist” so I can really lean into being the manic pixie dream girl I’m meant to be. And/or myself with buttloads of money please.

[transgenderer]

Virus latency (or viral latency) is the ability of a pathogenic virus to lie dormant (latent) within a cell, denoted as the lysogenic part of the viral life cycle.[1] A latent viral infection is a type of persistent viral infection which is distinguished from a chronic viral infection. Latency is the phase in certain viruses' life cycles in which, after initial infection, proliferation of virus particles ceases. However, the viral genome is not eradicated. The virus can reactivate and begin producing large amounts of viral progeny (the lytic part of the viral life cycle) without the host becoming reinfected by new outside virus, and stays within the host indefinitely.[2]

Episomal latency refers to the use of genetic episomes during latency. In this latency type, viral genes are stabilized, floating in the cytoplasm or nucleus as distinct objects, either as linear or lariat structures. Episomal latency is more vulnerable to ribozymes or host foreign gene degradation than proviral latency (see below).

Advantages of episomal latency include the fact that the virus may not need to enter the cell nucleus, and hence may avoid nuclear domain 10 (ND10) from activating interferon via that pathway. Disadvantages include more exposure to cellular defenses, leading to possible degradation of viral gene via cellular enzymes.[12]

Proviral latency: A provirus is a virus genome that is integrated into the DNA of a host cell

All interferons share several common effects: they are antiviral agents and they modulate functions of the immune system. Administration of Type I IFN has been shown experimentally to inhibit tumor growth in animals, but the beneficial action in human tumors has not been widely documented. A virus-infected cell releases viral particles that can infect nearby cells. However, the infected cell can protect neighboring cells against a potential infection of the virus by releasing interferons. In response to interferon, cells produce large amounts of an enzyme known as protein kinase R (PKR). This enzyme phosphorylates a protein known as eIF-2 in response to new viral infections; the phosphorylated eIF-2 forms an inactive complex with another protein, called eIF2B, to reduce protein synthesis within the cell. Another cellular enzyme, RNAse L—also induced by interferon action—destroys RNA within the cells to further reduce protein synthesis of both viral and host genes. Inhibited protein synthesis impairs both virus replication and infected host cells. In addition, interferons induce production of hundreds of other proteins—known collectively as interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs)—that have roles in combating viruses and other actions produced by interferon.[13][14] They also limit viral spread by increasing p53 activity, which kills virus-infected cells by promoting apoptosis.[15][16] The effect of IFN on p53 is also linked to its protective role against certain cancers.[15]

Another function of interferons is to up-regulate major histocompatibility complex molecules, MHC I and MHC II, and increase immunoproteasome activity. All interferons significantly enhance the presentation of MHC I dependent antigens. Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) also significantly stimulates the MHC II-dependent presentation of antigens. Higher MHC I expression increases presentation of viral and abnormal peptides from cancer cells to cytotoxic T cells, while the immunoproteasome processes these peptides for loading onto the MHC I molecule, thereby increasing the recognition and killing of infected or malignant cells. Higher MHC II expression increases presentation of these peptides to helper T cells; these cells release cytokines (such as more interferons and interleukins, among others) that signal to and co-ordinate the activity of other immune cells.[17][18][19]

Epstein–Barr virus lytic reactivation (which can be due to chemotherapy or radiation) can result in genome instability and cancer.[5]

HSV reactivates upon even minor chromatin loosening with stress,[7] although the chromatin compacts (becomes latent) upon oxygen and nutrient deprivation.[8]

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) establishes latency in myeloid progenitor cells, and is reactivated by inflammation.[9] Immunosuppression and critical illness (sepsis in particular) often results in CMV reactivation.[10] CMV reactivation is commonly seen in patients with severe colitis.[11]

viral latency is so fucked up

[thebrokencrescent-blog]

NP plays a central role in viral replication [18]. As a structural protein with no intrinsic enzymatic activity [19], it is the most abundant viral protein in infected cells.

In an influenza infection, nucleoprotein is the first viral protein to replicate, so the infected cell quickly presents the nucleoprotein antigens, provoking a strong early immune response, they explained.

"Another aspect worth pointing out is that protection against currently circulating influenza viruses has been reached even with a very old variant of the nucleoprotein protein," they continued.

"The OVX836 vaccine is based on the full-length nucleoprotein of the influenza A virus A/WSN/1933 (H1N1), and, despite the fact that this antigen is highly conserved and has been through over 90 years of evolution, this protein has undergone some changes...

Of the 11 RSV-encoded proteins, N is one of the most conserved structural proteins and is essential for virus encapsidation by coating the entire viral RNA genome to form the ribonucleoprotein (RNP).

These data suggest that the antigenic repertoire of T cells in IS subjects is skewed compared to HSV-2+ subjects and that IS subjects had more frequent T cells responses to IE proteins and infrequent T cell responses to virion components.

The preponderance of T cell responses directed at IE proteins in IS subjects suggests that IS subjects have been exposed to replicating virus since IE proteins are the first proteins made during the virus infectious life cycle and are not present in infectious virions. T cells directed at IE proteins would be engaged early in the infectious life cycle and may be able to kill the virally-infected cell before the production of infectious progeny and thus advantageous to the host. If some of the IS subjects are infected with HSV-2 in the absence of seroconversion, the presence of T cells directed at IE proteins at the neural-epidermal junction would provide the quickest defense against the virus spreading to the periphery and may explain why we did not detect any HSV DNA at mucosal sites in IS subjects (4).

The HPV genome contains an early expressed region containing the ORF (Open reading frames) of E1 to E7 genes which are necessary for viral replication and transcriptional regulation6. The E6, E7 and E5 proteins are able to interact with many cell targets, promoting cellular transformation7,8. The E1 protein is encoded within the early expressed region and it is localized in nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions. This protein is highly conserved among different HPV types and is the unique HPV protein with enzymatic activity.

The initiation of the HPV infection is from the basal layer of the squamous epithelium. The viral replication process and transcription of other E proteins are regulated by E1 and E2 proteins...

E1 protein has been reported highly conserved among the types of HPV and commonly decoded during the early expression of HPV infection...

E1 and E2 proteins play crucial role in the initiation and regulation of HPV replication as illustrated in Fig. 1. Initially, E2 proteins bind to their binding sites (E2BS11 and E2BS12) at the origin of replication, which recruits a pair of E1 proteins to form a complex.

[letustalkstds]

Me and my gf both have HSV-2, can we never give each other oral ever again? Do we have to do it in between outbreaks or is oral sex out of the picture completely?

If both you and your girlfriend have HSV-2, it is still possible to engage in oral sex. However, it's important to take certain precautions to reduce the risk of transmission. HSV-2 can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact with an active outbreak, even if the outbreak is not in the oral area. So, if one of you has an active outbreak on the genitals, it's best to avoid oral sex until the outbreak has healed. If neither of you have an active outbreak, the risk of transmission during oral sex is relatively low, but not zero. It's possible to transmit the virus even when there are no visible symptoms or outbreaks present, through a process called viral shedding. To reduce the risk of transmission during oral sex, you can use a dental dam or a condom cut open and laid flat to cover the vulva or anus. This creates a barrier between the mouth and the herpes lesions, reducing the risk of transmission. It's important to communicate openly with your girlfriend about your concerns and to make informed decisions together about your sexual activities. You may also want to speak with a healthcare provider about your specific situation, as they can provide personalized guidance and recommendations.

Meet people with herpes in your area>>

[skylitexo]

The thought of why this is happened? How could it? What did I do to deserve this? Had often struck my mind consistently, day to day. I am so reluctant when I say this, but is this my own doing? My own fault. Due to my previous behaviors over the years. However, I can’t be to self critical. Somethings, were definitely out of my own pocket. However, why do I feel like this was my fate. The things that had occurred in the past shaping and shifting my future. I have these conditions now that limit my ability. Limit my control. Limit my capability to be able. To abled is such a privilege anymore. Once you have something taken away you are more aware and fixated on your limited ability. When, I was diagnosed with POTS I was not worried because my symptoms haven’t seemed as severe. However, as time began to past I felt rather limited once my symptoms had progressed. Additionally, taking prescribed medication that allowed me to feel depersonalized. I understand that developing POTS was simply not my fault, but with other conditions I have… like a recent diagnosis of HSV 2 I feel like it is. However, it is yet so common anymore. The stigma that follows with it. Its so brutal and harsh. When we should be able to be knowledgeable and understanding. I know when I had known people I recall my first and second judgment. It shifted overtime because I know its not their fault. To be quiet frank I thought I was going to get it sooner rather or later due to my unfortunate active lifestyle. Yet, I thought I had been lucky. I was however wrong. All it took was a cheating and unfaithful partner to degrade my body and disrespect me. I was always persistent on getting STI tested. I wanted to make sure I was safe. My partner had tested in the past and I thought I was surely safe. However, life is rather unexpected. Now living with two manageable conditions I hope that others won’t degrade me due to my limited abilities. I am still trying to understand my newly discovered diagnosis from this year. Trying to be understanding. I often say “It could be worse”. Trying to lift my own spirits.

I hope in the future with my partner that I can have a normal sex life. I know that with my POTS my symptoms vary day to day. I pray that I can conquer each day to the best of my ability. To learn and to he able to not let these ailments discourage me. I trust that god has a plan and had only show me that these a speed bumps.

I also hope that people will do their research and spread knowledge. For both of these conditions. With my POTS my peers didn’t seem to worry unless it took me fainting or collapsing on the ground. Granted, I had emphasize that I have to be cautious. Working an 11 hour shift with no break when its busy is not ideal for someone who is having POTS symptoms. May I mention I developed POTS due to covid-19. More and more people in their twenties are developing this condition.

Anyway, please don’t judge others and be compassionate. I did the best I could to keep myself safe. Somethings you can control and somethings you can’t. My advice is control what you can!

[mysticdragon3art]

Huevember 2022 days 22-23. Self-care dragon reminds you to drink water.

I'm falling behind on the Huevember challenge, so I'm reusing the same drawing for 2 different days, with just the background changed to each day's challenge color. All to save time.

My sister told me in a message that I should design more dragon stickers, but ones that say "drink water". Used an Asian dragon since they are more associated with water and can breath mist/water in mythology/folklore.

11/24/2022. Sketched in Platinum Preppy fountain pen, using Noodler's Ink. Scanned for finishing in Krita. . 11/24/2022. Practicing learning digital drawing and Krita. Started with 3000x3000px canvas, 300dpi, CMYK color mode. Used color picker on a Huevember 2020 reference chart of each day’s challenge color to get #61BDCA for Huevember day 22 and #5CB69E for Huevember day 23. Used some parts that I already drew on Huevember day 21's Krita drawing, drawn with Stabilized freehand brushstrokes. Still using my cheap, wide-tipped, capacitive stylus, since my active stylus is out of batteries and my mouse is inconvenient to dig out. Drew new parts with Krita's Freehand Path tool, modified with Select Shapes tool and Edit Shapes tool. Then tried different colors with Krita's HSV/HSL Adjustment. . Converted from CMYK mode, to RGB mode. I'm keeping the CMYK versions for when I need to print stickers. But until then, I'd like to post the RGB versions online, since they look better. After isolating subjects/text away from the background and converting image to RGB, I colored the background with the RGB versions of Huevember days 22-23's colors. Then adjusted Color Balance of the subjects/text, and changed the text to white (instead of pale blue). . CMYK: day 22 = #61bdca CMYK: day 23 = #5cb69e . RGB: day 22 = #01d9e4 RGB: day 23 = #01cfa1

[quirksphere]

5 Important Facts About Herpes Everyone Should Know

Herpes is one of the most common viral infections globally, affecting millions of people across all age groups. Despite its prevalence, there’s still a lot of confusion and misinformation surrounding the condition. Understanding the facts about herpes is essential for managing the infection effectively and breaking the stigma that surrounds it. Whether you have been diagnosed with herpes or are simply looking to educate yourself on the topic, knowing the truth about herpes can help you or a loved one manage the condition with confidence.

In this blog, we’ll explore five important facts about herpes that everyone should know. From how the virus is transmitted to how outbreaks can be managed, we’ll cover key points to help demystify the condition and offer helpful guidance.

Key Takeaways

Herpes is a lifelong condition caused by two types of the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2).

The virus can be transmitted even when no visible symptoms are present.

Outbreaks are triggered by various factors like stress and illness, but they can be managed with antiviral medications.

Preventive measures, such as safe sexual practices, reduce the risk of transmission.

Understanding herpes and open communication with partners can significantly reduce the stigma around the virus.

What Is Herpes?

Herpes is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two main types of herpes:

Types of Herpes: HSV-1 vs. HSV-2

HSV-1: This strain usually causes oral herpes, which leads to cold sores or fever blisters around the mouth. However, HSV-1 can also cause genital herpes through oral-genital contact.

HSV-2: Typically responsible for genital herpes, HSV-2 causes sores and blisters in the genital and anal areas but can affect other parts of the body.

How Herpes Is Transmitted

Herpes is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact with an infected person. The virus can be transmitted even when symptoms, such as sores or blisters, are not visible, a process called asymptomatic shedding.

Direct skin-to-skin contact during sexual activities, such as oral, vaginal, or anal sex, is the most common way herpes is spread.

Kissing or sharing utensils with someone who has oral herpes can also transmit HSV-1.

It’s important to note that anyone can contract herpes, regardless of their health status or sexual activity. The virus doesn’t discriminate and can be transmitted easily in certain situations.

Herpes Symptoms and Outbreaks

Herpes symptoms can vary from person to person. Some people experience no symptoms at all, while others may have frequent outbreaks, particularly during the first year of infection. Understanding how outbreaks occur and recognizing the signs can help you manage the condition effectively.

Common Symptoms of Herpes

Blisters or sores: These are typically painful and can appear on the mouth, genitals, or other parts of the body.

Tingling, itching, or burning sensations often occur before a blister appears.

Flu-like symptoms: These include fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes, particularly during the first outbreak.

Factors That Trigger Outbreaks

Herpes outbreaks can be triggered by several factors that weaken the immune system or cause stress in the body. Knowing what can set off an outbreak allows individuals to take preventive measures.

Stress: Physical or emotional stress is one of the most common triggers.

Illness: Conditions like the flu or other infections can trigger an outbreak as they weaken the immune system.

Hormonal changes: Women may experience outbreaks during their menstrual cycle due to hormonal fluctuations.

Injury or surgery: Trauma to the area where the herpes virus resides can provoke an outbreak.

How to Manage Herpes

While there is currently no cure for herpes, there are effective treatments available to manage symptoms, reduce the frequency of outbreaks, and minimize the risk of transmission to others.

Antiviral Medications

Antiviral drugs can help control herpes by reducing the severity and length of outbreaks. These medications can also reduce the risk of passing the virus to sexual partners.

Acyclovir: One of the most commonly prescribed antivirals for herpes.

Valacyclovir (Valtrex): This medication is often used for both treatment and suppression of herpes.

Famciclovir: Another option for treating herpes that works by preventing the virus from multiplying.

Preventing Herpes Transmission

If you or your partner has herpes, there are several precautions you can take to reduce the risk of transmission.

Use condoms: Consistent condom use during sexual activity significantly lowers the risk of passing herpes on to a partner.

Avoid sexual contact during outbreaks: Refrain from intimate activities when visible sores are present, as the risk of transmission is highest during this time.

Communicate openly with your partner: Being upfront about your condition allows both partners to take necessary precautions.

Living with Herpes: Reducing Stigma

Despite the stigma associated with herpes, it’s crucial to understand that the condition is manageable and does not define a person’s life. Millions of people live with herpes and continue to enjoy healthy relationships and fulfilling lives.

Coping with Diagnosis

A herpes diagnosis can be overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Many resources, including healthcare providers and support groups, are available to help you cope.

Support groups: Joining a herpes support group, either online or in person, can provide emotional support and practical advice.

Consult a healthcare provider: A medical professional can guide you through managing the virus and reducing the impact it has on your life.

Breaking the Stigma Around Herpes

Education: The more people understand about herpes, the less likely they are to stigmatize those living with the virus.

Communication: Open, honest discussions about sexual health can help normalize the conversation around herpes.

Conclusion

Herpes is a widespread condition, but with the right information and management strategies, it doesn’t have to be a burden. Understanding how the virus works, how to prevent transmission, and how to manage outbreaks with antiviral medications empowers individuals to lead healthy, fulfilling lives despite the infection. Breaking the stigma through education and communication is key to improving the quality of life for those living with herpes.

FAQs

Q1: Can herpes be cured? No, herpes is a lifelong viral infection. However, antiviral medications can help manage outbreaks and reduce the likelihood of transmission.

Q2: Can I get herpes even if my partner doesn’t have any symptoms? Yes, herpes can be transmitted even when there are no visible symptoms due to a process called asymptomatic shedding.

Q3: How can I reduce the frequency of herpes outbreaks? Taking antiviral medications regularly, reducing stress, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help lower the frequency of outbreaks.

Q4: Can herpes be transmitted through oral sex? Yes, both HSV-1 and HSV-2 can be transmitted through oral sex. Using protection like dental dams or condoms can reduce the risk.

Q5: What should I do if I think I have herpes? If you suspect you have herpes, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider for testing and to discuss management options.

[herpescureindia]

Understanding HSV in India: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is a common viral infection that affects millions of people worldwide, including a significant population in India. HSV is responsible for causing herpes, which can manifest as cold sores or genital herpes, depending on the type of virus. In India, awareness and treatment options for HSV are growing, but there is still a need for more education and resources on managing this condition. In this guide, we’ll explore HSV in India, its symptoms, causes, and available treatment options.

What is HSV?

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is a viral infection that comes in two forms:

HSV-1: Typically associated with oral herpes, causing cold sores around the mouth and face.

HSV-2: Commonly linked to genital herpes, leading to sores in the genital or anal areas.

Both forms of HSV can cause recurrent outbreaks, and once infected, the virus stays in the body for life. However, the symptoms can be managed, and many people live normal lives without frequent outbreaks.

How is HSV Spread in India?

HSV is spread through direct contact with an infected person. The virus can be transmitted through:

Kissing or sharing utensils: This is more common with HSV-1, as the virus can be transmitted via saliva or contact with cold sores.

Sexual contact: HSV-2 is primarily transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

Skin-to-skin contact: Herpes can also spread through direct contact with infected skin or sores.

In India, the awareness about the transmission of HSV is increasing, but there is still a stigma associated with sexually transmitted infections, which can prevent people from seeking timely diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms of HSV in India

The symptoms of HSV vary depending on whether it’s an initial outbreak or a recurrence. The first outbreak is usually more severe and lasts longer.

Common Symptoms Include:

Painful blisters or sores around the mouth, genitals, or anal area.

Itching and tingling in the affected area before the sores appear.

Fever and body aches during the initial outbreak.

Swollen lymph nodes and discomfort in the groin area.

Flu-like symptoms, particularly during the first infection.

Many people with HSV in India may not show any symptoms at all, which can make it difficult to diagnose and prevent transmission.

Diagnosis and Treatment for HSV in India

If you suspect you have been exposed to HSV, it is crucial to seek a diagnosis from a healthcare provider. In India, diagnosis typically involves:

Physical Examination: A doctor may examine any visible sores or symptoms.

Blood Tests: Can confirm the presence of HSV antibodies in the bloodstream.

Swab Test: Involves taking a sample from the sores to test for the virus.

Treatment Options for HSV in India:

While there is no cure for HSV, the infection can be managed effectively with medications. In India, several antiviral treatments are available, including:

Antiviral Medications

Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, and Famciclovir are commonly prescribed antivirals that help reduce the severity and frequency of outbreaks.

These medications are available in India and can be taken during an outbreak to speed up healing or as daily suppressive therapy to reduce the frequency of outbreaks.

Topical Treatments

Creams like acyclovir can be applied directly to sores to alleviate discomfort and promote healing.

Home Remedies

Using cold compresses, aloe vera gel, and taking over-the-counter pain relief can help ease symptoms during outbreaks.

Prevention of HSV in India

Preventing the spread of HSV in India involves raising awareness about the virus and taking protective measures such as:

Using condoms during sexual activity to reduce the risk of transmission, though HSV can still spread through skin-to-skin contact.

Avoiding sexual contact during an outbreak to prevent passing the virus to a partner.

Not sharing personal items like towels, razors, or utensils that can carry the virus.

Getting tested regularly if you are sexually active, especially if you have multiple partners.

Living with HSV in India

While HSV in India is common, the stigma associated with herpes can make it difficult for individuals to seek help or talk about their condition. However, with proper treatment and management, people with HSV can lead normal, healthy lives.

It is important to understand that HSV does not define a person’s health or lifestyle. The key is managing the symptoms effectively and taking steps to prevent transmission. Healthcare providers in India are increasingly knowledgeable about HSV, offering supportive care and treatment options for those affected.

Conclusion

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is a widespread infection, and HSV in India is no exception. Although there is no cure, the infection can be managed with proper treatment and preventive measures. Awareness is growing, and individuals affected by HSV are encouraged to seek timely diagnosis and medical care to manage the condition effectively. By taking proactive steps, individuals can reduce the impact of HSV on their lives and minimize the risk of transmitting the virus to others.

[eggman-is-fat-mkay]

Okay not to derail this post but I really want to understand what I’m looking at here.  My tiny cisgender engineer brain is doing its level best to understand this whole gender thing and I wanna make sure I’m getting it right.  In the process of learning I’m gonna make a lot of assumptions that are wrong and offensive and I want you to correct me.  I’m writing all this stuff down and I’m determined to get it eventually

What I think this Venn diagram means is that there are some enbys that are more woman, some that are more man, some that are neither and some that are both?  is that what i’m reading here?  or is that completely wrong?

If I’m right does this confirm my theory that man and woman are sort of like independent axes?  rather than being two ends of the same scale, they’re two completely independent scales that both start at 0?  when you’re pretty high on the man and close to 0 on the woman you’re a guy, and when you’re close to 0 on the man but pretty high on the woman you’re a gal, and anything besides those two (high on both, zero on both, in the middle on one but high on the other etc.), although there are more specific terms for individual points on that two-axis graph, usually falls under the umbrella term “nonbinary”.  and then genderfluid people are people whose positions on those two axes vary from day to day.  am I getting it?  is that at least kinda how it works?

Sorta like that?  Essentially that the definitions of “man” and “woman” are very narrow and anything that doesn’t fit into them is enby?

I remember seeing a post a while ago that said there are three axes to gender expression, male/female, masc/femme, and no gender/yes gender.  sort of like HSV color.  On that model, an enby is someone who isn’t at either extreme end of the male/female axis, and/or isn’t at/near the top of the yes gender/no gender axis, but can be anywhere on the presentation axis.  Seems simple enough.

That explanation kind of made sense, but posted below it (as proof that the male/female and masc/femme axes were fully independent) was tweet by a femboy streamer saying “Most masculine man award goes to me” and the picture below it was just a woman.  He was wearing a dress, makeup, had long hair (wasn’t sure if it was a wig or not but w/e) THE MAN EVEN HAD BOOBS.  he had this little silicone contraption strapped to his chest that looked super realistic, and if I’d passed him on the street the word “man” or even “trans” wouldn’t have entered my mind.  He was just a woman.  From what I could tell though (from what he wrote in the tweets, and the comments on that post) he was very much cisgender and male and was doing the whole tiddy streamer bit as a donation gimmick -- the more people donated the longer he’d keep doing it.

I don’t wanna ask every single person I meet their gender.  From what I’ve seen, people usually don’t wanna BE asked their gender (nobody, not even autistic ppl talking about their special interest, likes explaining the same thing to the 20th stranger in a row).  I respect the pronouns of my friends who haven’t tried passing yet, as any person with an ounce of dignity should, but I was kind of operating under the assumption that the point of switching from he/him to she/her is to be perceived as a woman, even if you don’t look the part (either because you haven’t transitioned yet or because transitioning is a massive process and you’ve got enough on your plate without it), and that the point of transitioning is to cement that by looking the part, so that people who aren’t your friends pass you on the street and perceive you as a woman without you having to tell them.  In essence, that coming out as trans/enby and switching pronouns was step one, and transitioning was an optional step two.

I had been operating under the assumption that people wouldn’t take active steps to present as a woman if they didn’t want to be perceived as a woman, and I still think that’s a reasonable assumption, but the existence of femboys completely flies in its face.  I realize this is potentially an offensive question but I’m really just looking to understand here.  What differentiates a femboy from a trans woman when...well... *gestures at cisgender he/him with boobs*

What are the rules here?  Do femboys want to be perceived as women, or do they just like the look on its aesthetic merits?  If it’s the first one, what do pronouns mean if not how you want to be perceived?  Are pronouns necessarily anything more than an extension of your name?  Can the “male/female as independent axes” and the “man/woman and masc/femme as independent axes” models coexist?  If not, which one is correct?  How did I end up talking about femboys on a post about nonbinary people? 

I could make a 3k-word manifesto on how the word “non-man” is enbyphobic horseshit, and I don’t think it could possibly be as succinct and easy-to-understand as this image. Take notes