I am infuriated: Herpes

Femmefatale · June 27th, 2007, 08:19 PM

I am super annoyed at people in general who have oral herpes (apologies in advance to those exempt from this) being 1) careless about spreading it and 2) being delusional by not accepting that COLD SORES=HERPES.

Example

1) So my husband and I go out with another couple and there is a massive growth on the chicks lip. My husband and I exchange glances--we are totally in sync on this one--no sharing dessert or ANYTHING for that matter. Who KNEW this chick had herpes? I start to flip out remembering all the times weve shared sushi and such ( i know that even thou ive never seen an outbreak that its still contagious). Anyway she goes thru this whole explanation about how its not herpes, its just stress. Im going NO NO NO, people who arent infected w herpes do NOT get cold sores when they are stressed. People who do have herpes may experience outbreaks when they are stressed.

So I get super pissed. She proceeds to try and share food and ofcourse once she touches the food w her chop sticks we dont back for seconds.

I have seen this in one form or another. People saying "its not a herpe its just a cold sore" or acting as thou its no big deal to risk contaminating common food ie sushi.

I am also aware that oral herpes (disease) is just as contagious when theres a cold sore (symptom). So why do people who have it act like its no big deal? I dont have it and I dont want it and you are infected and need to be uber responsible and mindful of the fact that you are a contagious person.

It is just maddening

Green-eyed-hottie · June 27th, 2007, 08:40 PM

You may have herpes as well... Most people have that virus in their body, and when their immune system is weak, they get an outbreak... some people, however, never have an outbreak...
Also, certain strains of the herpes virus cause cold sores. Herpes simplex virus type 1 usually causes cold sores. Herpes simplex virus type 2 is usually responsible for genital herpes. However, either type of the virus can cause sores in the facial area or on the genitals.

Femmefatale · June 27th, 2007, 08:45 PM

Well I have no reason to believe I have it, but if I did I would NEVER EVER knowlingly put others at risk and take responsibility to avoid contaminating anything.

darksithbunny · June 27th, 2007, 08:59 PM

My niece has simplex 1. We have never got it from her. Before we knew she had it, she has shared many a soda with my kids and they are fine.

I have, in the past, broken out with some really bad zits right on my lip that look just as bad as a cold sore. It could be just that but I agree with you on taking precautions.

Edit: Opps. SHE HAS simplex 1! 1! She will kill me if she knew I messed it up!

ducki · June 27th, 2007, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green-eyed-hottie

You may have herpes as well... Most people have that virus in their body, and when their immune system is weak, they get an outbreak... some people, however, never have an outbreak...
Also, certain strains of the herpes virus cause cold sores. Herpes simplex virus type 1 usually causes cold sores. Herpes simplex virus type 2 is usually responsible for genital herpes. However, either type of the virus can cause sores in the facial area or on the genitals.

That's correct and Herpes is not contagious when you don't have an outbreak.

Femmefatale · June 27th, 2007, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ducki

That's correct and Herpes is not contagious when you don't have an outbreak.

Yes it is and you are wrong
Herpes: Is it Contagious? | Herpes Doctor

Unfortunately all forms of Herpes do not only spread when
there is an outbreak although this is the period where the risk
is at it highest. Most of the time the virus is
latent but can still spread even when there is no outbreak

And that is a prime example of the issue I take with people who have it: the ignorance about how its spread and how contagious it is. And people are so matter-of-fact about saying it can not spread when there is no outbreak and it totally can. Its very scary to me how many people either dont know that or are in denial about it

**NoDayButToday** · June 27th, 2007, 09:18 PM

^ Herpes is contagious at any time regardless of whether you have an outbreak.

Femmefatale · June 27th, 2007, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darksithbunny

My niece has simplex 2. We have never got it from her. Before we knew she had it, she has shared many a soda with my kids and they are fine.
.

Did you not know she had it bc her parents didnt inform you, or did they not know either? Thank God your kids didnt get it

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoDayButToday

^ Herpes is contagious at any time regardless of whether you have an outbreak.

That is my pt exactly

Zee · June 27th, 2007, 10:20 PM

Something like 80 to 90% of the population is infected with HSV-1. If you really want to get paranoid, another way it can spread is by skin contact. People touch the cold sore and then another person.

Pass the chopsticks.

Anne2007 · June 27th, 2007, 10:37 PM

OMG I cannot believe your friend's denial. I didn't believe that they were contagious even when you don't have an outbreak so I did some research. (Thank you all for the education)

It is quite clear when you have an outbreak you should always avoid skin to skin contact such as kissing. I always do when I have an outbreak, it is basic courtesy to others, particularly those that are lucky enough not to have it.

My friends and family always thought I was being paranoid when I wouldn't kiss them when I had an outbreak.

Femmefatale, I hope you have the woman's email address so you can post her a few links. I guess with the stigma attached to herpes (you know the belief that people who have it are promiscuous) people do not want to admit they have it. SO they call it a cold sore and are in denial about it being herpes simplex.

Femmfatale, I commend you on your caution so you don't catch it. I was once on a very stressful project and I had a cold sore breakout all above my top lip to under my nose. It was 4cm (just under 2 inches) long and 2 cm high (under 1 inch) .I would not wish this on anyone.

When I was a teenager and my mum would go on holiday, she could tell the crap food I had been eating by my cold sores.

Thankfully my daughter hasn't caught it from me, as I am super careful with her.

Never ever let anyone with a cold sore make you think you are paranoid when you don't want to kiss them or share utensils. It pays to be careful.

Green-eyed-hottie · June 27th, 2007, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Femmefatale

That is my pt exactly

And because you don't know if you have it (you probably do, because as mentioned earlier- many people have it and don't ever get an outbreak) you are also contagieous... Just live your life... There are so many diseases out there to worry about, why would you do it to yourself? Always being worried and stuff....

Femmefatale · June 27th, 2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green-eyed-hottie

And because you don't know if you have it (you probably do, because as mentioned earlier- many people have it and don't ever get an outbreak) you are also contagieous... Just live your life... There are so many diseases out there to worry about, why would you do it to yourself? Always being worried and stuff....

See, why do you think it is not a big deal? "There are so many diseases out there"? You sound like the people I know who have it? And they too act like everyone else has it or will get it eventually so why bother being careful. What is this denial about it being a serious disease? And you are not a doctor, so dont say that I "probably have it"--its unfounded and almost as ignorant as your comments that follow. I am talking about people who have it and know they do which is the majority, If you want to play games about ppl having it and not knowing they have it, etc etc u can pretty much do that with just about anything.

And believe you me, I am extremely cautious about sharing anything. But if I did have it, I can guarantee you I would make it my complete responsiblity not to spread it.

ManxMouse · June 27th, 2007, 11:07 PM

I really think FemmeFatale is a troll. If not, you are ignorant medically, 85 -90% of people have Herpes Simplex 1 --the oral variety. It's just not seen the vast majority of the time. And besides, what is a "serious disease?" If it's not potentially life-threatening, it's not a serious disease.

Green-eyed-hottie · June 27th, 2007, 11:09 PM

Did I say I'm not careful and nonchalant about spreading it to others? I said (or tried to say) that there are so many diseases out there that are very easy to catch, and if you stress about every single one of them, you couldn't go outside because you'll be exposed... Or you could tell everyone that has something to live in the bubble so you can live your life the way you want to...

Femmefatale · June 27th, 2007, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green-eyed-hottie

Did I say I'm not careful and nonchalant about spreading it to others? I said (or tried to say) that there are so many diseases out there that are very easy to catch, and if you stress about every single one of them, you couldn't go outside because you'll be exposed... Or you could tell everyone that has something to live in the bubble so you can live your life the way you want to...

So you do have it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManxMouse

I you are ignorant medically, 85 -90% of people have Herpes Simplex 1 --the oral variety. It's just not seen the vast majority of the time. And besides, what is a "serious disease?" If it's not potentially life-threatening, it's not a serious disease.

Yes but those 10% of us out there DONT HAVE IT AND DONT WANT IT. and it is not herpe disease ridden people's prerogative to decide what happens to others. I just cant believe the ignorance, but this thread is proving to me that this is general mass hysteria and not just my own experience w people