Will Oprah ever do a show about Herpes?

Dear Yoshi,

Oprah Winfrey is currently seeking people who have “major” health issues to appear on her show.

I consider the consequences of HSV2 to be “major” if you address the lack of knowledge, health issues, growing infection rates, and deficient testing processes!

I have watched friends (one a virgin) who contracted HSV2 contemplate suicide. We also know those who did take their life after learning they were infected. There are others who suffer serious long-term PID health issues, many who have the inability to form relationships, others who face rejection in the dating world, and some who remain in a constant state of depression because of HSV2.

In one Herpes support group I’m familiar with, one very attractive, well-educated member has not even attempted to date since she was infected 12 YEARS AGO! Following her diagnosis, another beautiful young woman covered every mirror in her home because she could no longer look at herself. Many have totally lost interest in their appearance–as a deterrent to attracting men at all. In the same group, a 50+ year old man with HSV2 STILL doesn’t think you can contract it or pass it on unless you have unprotected sex!

As you have said so many times on your message boards, the world needs to be educated about HSV2. If we’re looking for the ideal opportunity to start the dialog, OPRAH would be the place!  (The subject MUST be presented to the OPRAH staff tactfully, factually, with good statistical data and anecdotal material–or I’m afraid they’ll simply reject it.)

As you know, one critical problem that needs to be exposed is the current STD testing process–both private and public.  When confronted, the man that infected the virgin (through heavy petting/skin-to-skin contact only) said he was “clean” based on his STD test–and also Asymptomatic. His follow-up test for HSV2 was positive. Based on his false assumptions, he has probably infected numerous other women along the way.

There are many, both male and female, who have returned with a “clean” bill of health from STD testing, only to spread the disease because they did not KNOW that they were infected. Why? They didn’t request that particular test and simply  assumed that STD tests include HSV2!

I know people are probably hesitant to go public with HSV2. But, please, please does SOMEONE in the community have the nerve to present this case to Oprah and appear on the show? We owe it to all of those out there who have HSV2 and are suffering the physical, psychological, and emotional consequences of this disease.

P.S.  They also need to know that there’s a site on the Internet and on Myspace that REALLY HELPS!

That was an e-mail that I got encouraging me to contact Oprah. As some of you may already know, I have attempted to contact her over the years. She’s a busy woman and probably doesn’t have time to write me back. So, I’ve resorted to sharing on my blog. I’ll also be posting a link on our Herpes Awareness and Advocacy page! - Angela aka Yoshi2me

Another Scam Artist Claiming to Cure Herpes

I don’t tolerate people trying to bamboozle me into believing their lies!! If you ever run into a web site that promises to line your toilet seat with gold if you pay $450.00 for 1 hour of telephone conversation — STAY AWAY!! What a crock of chit!!

—– Original Message —–
From: Yoshi2me.com
To: Bis la
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 4:56 PM
Subject: Re: Feedback Form

You can take your 1 hour $450.00 session and shove it up your ass!
—– Original Message —–
From: Bis la
To: Yoshi2me.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 1:56 PM
Subject: Re: Feedback Form

Sorry you have that kind’ve attitude towards ending your affair with herpes. Obviously you are not ready. Funny thing though, I bet you’ll be the first one calling me when my tv show airs.

“Yoshi2me.com” <yoshi2me@cox.net> wrote:
Seriously, do you think I’m stupid?
—– Original Message —–
From: Bis la
To: Yoshi2me.com
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 9:41 AM
Subject: Re: Feedback Form

WOW!!! I just sent you the answer you’ve been looking for since contracting the herpes virus and all you can think of is that I am trying to sell you something?

I have no products to sell you! I told you my story to give you hope. To show you that you don’t have to live with this disease. That you are at choice. This is not a joke. The work that I do is very deep and will put you in touch with the parts of you that are holding the virus inside your body. If you are ready to let go of herpes then call me. It won’t cost you anything!

Al
[Phone # Removed]

“Yoshi2me.com” <yoshi2me@cox.net> wrote:
If this is a solicitation please do not write me back. Thanks!

—– Original Message —–
From: “deeplove”
To:
Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2008 12:13 PM
Subject: Feedback Form

> This message was sent from:
> http://yoshi2me.com/feedback.html
> ————————————————————
> Name of sender: deeplove
> Email of sender: cs@endofherpes.com
> ————————- COMMENTS ————————-
>
> I, just like you suffered from the herpes virus. But unlike you I didn’t
> accept it as something that I had to suffer from forever.
> I decided to take a deep look within to find out what inside of me was
> responsible for holding on to this dis-ease. I know this might sound like
> an “out of the box” approach, but it is the way out. I am not talking
> about relieving the symptoms or temporarily hypnotizing yourself. No I am
> talking about looking at those parts of self that are trying to get your
> attention by way of this dis-ease. I’d love to talk with you more about
> this. If intrested drop me a line.
>
> ————————————————————

I wasn’t born yesterday

I’m so sick and tired of the snake oil sales people trying to contact me and convince me that they have something that can wipe out the herpes virus from your body for good.

Who do they think they are dealing with? I’m not stupid and I wasn’t born yesterday. When I let them know that they aren’t fooling me they try and write me back and accuse me of being unwilling to open up my mind to their herpes cure.

WHATEVER!!

I think I’m just going to automatically delete these e-mails and not respond or give them the time of day.

The other thing that irritates me are the web site peeps that contact me for a link exchange. They don’t really care about what my site is about but only for the page rank and such AND they think I’m going to want to link to them just for page rank purposes - NOT!!

I don’t pay any attention to page ranks and such because that’s NOT why I put my site and the information on it together. I actually care about the issues surrounding STDs and I’m really trying to make a difference. THAT is why I put my site together - NOTHING MORE and NOTHING LESS.

I was diagnosed at the age of 18

Hi

I know you get a lot of emails but I just wanted to say how grateful I am that someone has created this website. I cried last night as I read the stories. I guess I was crying for myself a bit but also with hope and just knowing I am not alone with this inner turmoil.

I was diagnosed at the age of 18(18!!!), after a stupid one-night stand. I am now 26 and an attractive and successful lawyer - so at least some things in my life are going well!!

I was in denial for quite a long time. It was only a year ago that I told my 2 best friends, they were very supportive and have been wonderful. I am dating someone at the moment and may tell him if I feel that he is right, I wouldn’t never knowingly give this to someone.

Its just so hard, I have told one person before and he ran for the hills, but I told him 2 soon I realized. I just find the stigma so hard to deal with and my other friends make comments unknowingly about things and I do get a bit upset. But that’s life I suppose, I wish people were more educated. People quite often say about me how they would sleep with me without condoms because they know I wouldn’t have anything - little do they know.

I just hope that one day I will wake up and my condition is not the first thing I think about. My outbreaks aren’t bad, its been 5 months since my last. Its just the stigma.

Anyway, just wanted to share my story. Hopefully I will have a happy ending like you.

Thanks so much for this, the real-life stories are a great help. Some do not have happy endings, but then nor do ‘regular’ people. I am confident I will meet someone as great as your husband. Thanks, Anon x

Is it possible that that is wear my virus is?

Here is the Question

I was told I have HSV2 via a blood test, but I have no idea where the virus originated from since I have not had symptoms. I have had chapped lips, is it possible that that is wear my virus is? It feels like dry skin, peeling and small bumps on the lips. Having read your site you say that it is usually hard to have HSV2 on the mouth. I worry because I would hate to pass the virus to children or a partner just by kissing them. I know this may sound stupid, but I just worry about passing it on.

Here is my Answer

I personally would like to know what your doctor told you because I always understood it to be that HSV-2 prefers the genital area and that Oral HSV-2 is not all that common.

I have also always been told that if somebody were to test positive for both HSV-1 and HSV-2 that statistically it would mean that the person has Oral HSV-1 and Genital HSV-2.

A person that tests positive for HSV-1 could have oral HSV-1 OR genital HSV-1. If you don’t have any outbreaks that can be cultured it would be hard to tell.

Here’s more on the differences between HSV-1 and HSV-2 along with their location of preference

HIV Vaccine Study Suspended

The trial of a much-anticipated new HIV vaccine was suspended last week, following a review by an independent monitoring board that deemed the vaccine ineffective. The suspension of the phase II clinical trial of Merck & Co.’s investigational HIV vaccine (V520), in development for a decade, marks a setback in the global effort to combat the worldwide HIV epidemic.

The trial, called STEP, was an international phase II “test of concept” trial in uninfected volunteers at high risk for acquiring HIV infection. It intended to test both whether the vaccine would help prevent the occurrence of new HIV infections as well as reduce the amount of virus in those who developed infection. The trial enrolled 3,000 HIV-negative volunteers from areas of North and South America, the Caribbean, and Australia between 18 and 45 years of age. A planned interim efficacy analysis conducted in approximately 1,500 volunteers revealed the disappointing results.

The vaccine did not prevent infection. In volunteers who received at least one dose of the three-dose vaccine series, 24 cases of HIV infection were observed in the 741 volunteers who received vaccine, while 21 cases of HIV infection were observed in the 762 participants in the placebo group. In the subgroup who had received at least two vaccinations and who were HIV negative for at least the first 12 weeks of the trial, 19 cases of HIV infection were observed in the 672 volunteers who received vaccine and 11 cases were observed in the 691 volunteers who received placebo. In addition, the vaccine did not reduce the amount of virus in the bloodstream of those who became infected; HIV RNA levels approximately 8 to 12 weeks after diagnosis of infection were similar in the vaccine and the placebo arms.

Though the results are disappointing, researchers have stated that there are many other trial vaccines currently being tested, as well as some that are soon to go into testing. This is promising, due to the fact that different vaccines stimulate different types of immunity. “It isn’t the end of the line,” said Mitchell Warren, executive director of the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition, a New York group advocating prevention. Merck’s data “aren’t the answers we wanted, but they will help improve our other vaccine candidates.”

This information brought to you by the American Social Health Association and presented strictly for educational purposes.

Outbreak of Lymphogranuloma - rare strain of Chlamydia in US

The purpose of this post is to bring the public in the NEW ENGLAND area in the United States to AWARENESS of the emergence and possible outbreak of a sexually transmitted disease that is not normally found in the US.

I am a heterosexual female in my 20s and I am from a small town in New England. I have just been recently diagnosed with an STD that is not commonly known in the United States and is very rarely found in industrialized countries. This disease is know as lymphogranuloma venereum or LGV.

LGV is supposed to be relatively rare in the United States and most industrialized countries, and is more prevalent in Southeast Asia, Africa, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. There has recently been increase in reported cases in Europe and Canada. It is also mostly homosexual men that have been reported to contract this disease.

So what I am trying to say is that right now I am a statistical anomaly, meaning that the chances of me getting this disease BECAUSE I AM A HETEROSEXUAL FEMALE AND I LIVE IN A SMALL NEW ENGLAND TOWN IN THE US are SUPPOSED to be slim to none. But NOT ANYMORE.

The person that gave this horrible disease to me is now spreading this around a particular state that I live in (held confidential) and those people he has slept with are now possibly having unprotected sex with other people who are sleeping with more people, who are sleeping with more people.

FIFTY PERCENT of those who contract this disease are ASYMPTOMATIC. But I was anything but asymptomatic. And I am warning and informing everyone who lives in this area in the United States of the dangers.

I would now like to reveal the nightmare that I went through. I almost died from this disease because the doctors and I’m sure the person carrying it had never even heard of it. I was hospitalized four times, misdiagnosed 6 times, put on 5 different courses of antibiotics that failed miserably.

This went on for four months and the pain was so bad I could not move for days, and I lost an alarming amount of weight. I developed another severe medical condition as a result of this, which I am reluctant to disclose, Pelvic inflammatory disease, AND REITER syndrome, which is active arthritis in my hips, knees and ankles.

It was the WORST pain I have ever felt in my whole life. It felt like my whole body was on FIRE. Initially, the symptoms were vaginal and there was a pinching and burning sensation in my pelvic area. The pain was primarily on my RIGHT SIDE. THIS DISEASE HAS BEEN REPORTED TO ATTACK AND CAUSE SYMPTOMS TO PRESENT IN ONE SIDE OF THE BODY. Then the inflammation spread to other organs, and my lymph system, and finally, at the very height of my symptoms, I felt burning and shooting pains up and down the inside of my arms, down my legs, up and down my chest and my spine, burning and throbbing pain in the back of my head, and the most horrible nightmarish pinching burning stabbing pain in my abdomen and lower back.

It was even more painful to pass stool or urine. I was finally diagnosed, through a SPECIFIC BLOOD TEST and am on antibiotics for treatment and am on my way to recovery. I WOULD LIKE EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT THIS STRAIN OF CHLAMYDIA IS EXCEPTIONALLY DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE AND WILL VARY RARELY SHOW UP IN A CULTURE AND NORMAL SCREENING FOR CHLAMYDIA. THE ONLY WAY TO DIAGNOSE THIS DISEASE IS THROUGH A SPECIFIC BLOOD TEST ORDERED BY YOUR DOCTOR.

If you live in the New England area and if you have any of these symptoms and you have been struggling to find answers, tell your gyno about this disease and when they tell you that it’s too rare for you to get, THEY ARE WRONG…..because that’s what they told me and…..I GOT IT! and other people WILL get it.

IT HAS HIT THE UNITED STATES HARD THIS TIME AND I TRULY BELIEVE THAT IT IS NOW SPREADING RAPIDLY. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE TO CONTRACT THIS DISEASE THROUGH ORAL SEX.

Here is some more information on Lymphogranuloma.

LGV is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or infection involving the lymph glands in the genital area. It is caused by a specific strain of chlamydia known as chlamydia trachomatis. The incidence is highest among sexually active people living in tropical or subtropical climates. It has also occurred in some areas of the southern United States.

The first symptom may be a small, painless pimple or lesion occurring on the penis or vagina. It is often unnoticed. The infection then spreads to the lymph nodes in the groin area and from there to the surrounding tissue. Complications may include inflamed and swollen lymph glands which may drain and bleed-the draining and bleeding happens in only 30% of cases. The onset of symptoms varies widely. The initial lesion may appear from three to 30 days after exposure.

If left untreated, it can cause serious tissue damage, scarring, rectal or intestinal blockages, and extreme swelling of the genitals (elephantiasis). In severe cases, it attacks the central nervous system (brain swelling).
ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS WEAR A CONDOM-MAKE YOUR PARTNER WEAR A CONDOM-DO NOT HAVE UNPROTECTED ORAL SEX!!!!GET TESTED!!!

Here’s the original posting about this STD

If you have this OR you are a healthcare professional that can shed some light for those that are participating in that exact thread I would appreciate it if you would chime in.