From:
Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 1:13 PM
To: drgian@stdweb.com
Subject: I am worried about my daughter!
My 20-year old
daughter confided in me just a few days ago that she is afraid she might
have contracted Herpes from her ex-boyfriend. She said that early in the
week she didn’t feel well and a few days later she had one blister that
showed up in her genital area. She of course went on the internet and
diagnosed herself with Herpes. Only about three months ago she had
herself tested for all STD’s including Herpes and the blood tests came
back negative. She informed her doctor that she had unprotected
intercourse with her boyfriend and that was why she wanted to be tested.
Her doctor did not inform her that she should use protection at all
times, as a matter
of fact she never even made a big deal out of the fact that she had
unprotected sex with a Herpes carrier. He had told her that he is not
contagious when he doesn’t have an outbreak, and she believed him
because she knew nothing about this disease. So now it is possible that
she did get this virus from him, and she thinks her life is over. She
broke up with him, and now she has it set in her mind that she will
never date again because there will be no man out there who would want
to be with anyone like her, nor does she ever want to have children.
These are all things she has looked forward to in her live and now she
is just upset and cries a lot. I am truly worried about her when I
listen to her talk, and I don’t know how to make it better. I told her
that she should read up on this disease because there are many people
like he, if she actually did contract Herpes. We have scheduled another
appointment with her GYN who only had one thing to say when my daughter
told the nurse about her suspicions, she said: “I already checked her
for this.” Can you please tell me how I can help my daughter through
this difficult time?
Thank you,
A worried Mom
Hi,
It is not clear from what you say whether your daughter’s boyfriend knew
to have a herpes virus, and what kind, and if he had communicated that
to your daughter. From your description it is possible that your
daughter symptoms were a function of a primary herpes infection. What
your daughter could do is to have Herpes type1 and type 2 specific Immunoblot
or, even better a Western Blot, antibodies test four months
from exposure and FIND OUT if she has antibodies to one or the other or
both viruses. Call 1-866-478-3417. We can help you with both tests. Having
done that…you have a place to start.
In the meantime tell your daughter that, whether we like it or not, our
bodies are also home to many bacteria and viruses which happily share
our living. Just ponder on the one and half pound of bacteria we usually
host in our intestine…and the chicken pox, the mono and other many
viruses, the staphs and streps and so on. They live with us. They are
us…hundred trillion cells plus some more with the viruses and bacteria.
There are people who have one primary episode of Herpes and never, ever,
one more flare up. There are people who have flare ups once a month.
What makes the difference? You make the difference. I have treated and
counseled many couples with one person or both infected with Herpes.
They can live a perfectly normal life. They need education in the
matter, counseling and some many need medications. Otherwise everything
else is normal.
So first find out and go from there. And that’s what you are already
doing, worried Mom. Keep going.
Dr. Gian |
From: Kelly
To: drgian@stdweb.com
Sent: Sunday, June 06, 2004 1:45 AM
Subject: (no subject)
Hi. I am an 18 year old female who has never been sexually active. I was
wondering if it is possible to contract genital herpes if I have never
been sexually active. I have a small bump that appears slightly red and
very painful to the touch. It also itches but only occasionally. I have
had this bump for a little over a week now, and it has not appeared to
get any smaller. I am concerned because this has happened atleast once
before that I can remember. If you could please help me out, and tell me
if I should get tested, I would appreciate it.
Kelly
Hi Kelly
Herpes type 1 infection ( the fever blister kind) occurs very often in
childhood and it has no relationship to sexual activity unless there is
oral to genital contact. Herpes 1 is a very common virus since it
involves almost 80% of the population. It is also possible for a person
to inoculate him/herself with the Herpes type 1 virus from point A to
point B of the body.
However is seems to me the small bump you are describing is a bacterial
infection of the hair follicles or the skin surrounding the hair. This
condition is fairly common and is known as folliculitis.
Staphylococcus aureus are the most common bacteria that cause
folliculitis. It is not known why these bacteria infect the hair
follicles. Oils, tar and grease can make one more susceptible to
folliculitis.
Tight or occlusive clothing, such as polyester, heat and sweating can
contribute to the development of folliculitis. I do not think you need
to get tested but keep your eye open and eventually check with your
Doctor.
Ciao.
Dr. Gian
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