serpent.antonchanning.com

Like 70% of the UK population, I carry the Herpes Simplex Type 1 virus. This occasionally manifests itself with an outbreak of what are known commonly as ‘cold sores’. The name Herpes apparently derives from the Greek root of ‘herpein’ which means ‘to creep’. The word Serpent also comes from the latin root meaning the same thing, so I thought it was quite appropriate to write about it here in this blog.

I felt like writing about what its actually like to have the virus, and to present some things I’ve learned from researching a little about it.

Firstly it is one of eight types of herpes virus to affect humans, one of the others being chicken pox.

Secondly most people infected with it do not know they are because their symptoms are so mild. So in the UK 30% of people are uninfected, 17.5% are infected but don’t know because they have no symptoms, 35% are infected but don’t know because their symptoms are so mild they don’t realise its herpes and that leaves another 17.5% that are infected and know they are. In the US infection rates are higher, but apparently so is the natural immunity rates, as there up to 90% of those infected don’t know they are.

Thirdly, when you get checked for sexually transmitted diseases at family planning centres and such like, they don’t actually test you for herpes, unless you ask for it. This undoubtedly contributes to the large number of people who are infected being under false impression that they are ‘clean’ or ‘free’ of all infections.

Fourthly, every animal species that has been investigated also has some form of herpes virus, including coral apparently! Although herpes is proving fatal to coral in a lot of places where humans have overfished leaving micro organisms free reign over the organic carbon.

Fifthly, the actual symptoms are no big deal. The thing that sucks about it is having to tell people before you kiss them, since if they don’t already have the virus themselves, they will undoubtedly fear it. Even though the chances are they already have it, or have kissed and made love to people that unknowingly have.

Yeah, I’ve experienced that fifth one. It is a difficult one. But I am not alone in speaking. That may seem obvious since it is so common, but I can understand why the majority of sufferers would just prefer to keep quiet about it. Yet other bloggers out there such as Alex Fayle and mojotek have bravely stepped forward and written about their experiences.

So should I take it like Alex and interpret it as my body telling me it doesn’t want to date right now? Maybe. Maybe its saying I should learn to control herpes by reducing the amount of nuts, peanuts and (sob) chocolate in my diet, and eating more cheese before I think about dating again. Apparently that helps! Hmm, chocolate or sex? That’s a tough one…

…but I think I might have to give up chocolate.

On the other hand my hormones are going wild and I seem to be attracting more sexual attention than I ever have before and its driving me wild! Now, what to do with that stash of peanut butter I can no longer eat?