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Q. A friend of mine just announced that she has genital herpes. She has had it for quite a few years and has never told her husband.
She claims she contracted herpes from a low immune system due to chronic arthritis. I always thought this disease could only be caught through a sexual encounter. Can you bring me up to snuff on the causes of 'genital herpes'?
A. You are correct that genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease. Your friend is mistaken either about her diagnosis or about the way she acquired it. We are surprised that she has not informed her husband, since he is at risk for catching the disease whenever they make love.
I was never diagnosed with herpes simplex, nor had an outbreak until I developed chronic Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. At certain points, in my Prednisone dose, one will appear-always in the same area-on the upper right buttocks and so painful. I assumed that this had something to do with immune system problems that keep me in one doctor's office after another. Can you explain what the connection might be?
Thank you.
Dear Joe & Terry - You are right on in your comments on genital herpes.
I contracted the condition roughly 30 years ago. I had periodic outbreaks for about 8 or 10 years. Then, for some reason the outbreaks ceased to this day. When I did have outbreaks I dried them up with a non prescription medication called Tanac which has tannic acid (as does strong black tea-good for soaks) as a main base. It's not a cure, but it certainly relieved the outbreaks and shortened the period of discomfort. Perhaps my condition is only dormant, but it certainly has been a relief not to have the continual outbreaks any more. Hope it lasts.
Sincerely, R.W.