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Could herpes affect UC

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/12/2018 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
I'm 35 years old, I have UC and have had an ileostomy. Recently i met a woman who told me she has genital herpes. She takes antiviral medication and I have done research and found that there is a 1% chance of transmissiom when precautions are taken. If we were to become intimate and if by some chance I caught it, what would it mean for my health?
Posted 2/12/2018 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
Anyone??
Posted 2/13/2018 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Did you have an ileostomy in the past or do you have one currently? do you still have UC? or did you have your colon and rectum removed for treatment of your UC? I am not sure these things are related regardless. I have never seen anyone say herpes caused them issues with their UC. This is a good question for your doctor.
Posted 2/13/2018 2:19 AM (GMT 0)

notsosicklygirl said...
Did you have an ileostomy in the past or do you have one currently? do you still have UC? or did you have your colon and rectum removed for treatment of your UC? I am not sure these things are related regardless. I have never seen anyone say herpes caused them issues with their UC. This is a good question for your doctor.

Thank you for replying!!! I had them both removed. I will make a note to ask a doctor. I know herpes is a skin condition but didn't know if it could have an effect on me.
Posted 2/13/2018 6:19 AM (GMT 0)
I have read some reports of herpes causing UC in people who received analingus from someone infected.

Aside from that, if you already have an ileostomy then it's unlikely that herpes would affect your UC directly. The problem would be that herpes, like any incurable virus, would contribute to your immune burden and in turn affect the status of your auto-immune disease. In particular, a primary herpes outbreak usually causes a rise in CRP with a lot of localized inflammation at the site of infection. A lot of people with IBD will have a flare if inflammation is activated anywhere else in the body, like say with the common cold.

In other words, you're better off not getting infected by it... but you knew that already.
Posted 2/13/2018 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
We're not experts in STDs, but there's plenty of information online about the symptoms and health effects one experiences from things like Herpes, and should you contract it then that's what'd happen. You know your immune system is a bit crazy, as you have/had UC and needed an ileostomy, and Herpes would be yet another thing for your immune system to go after. I'd avoid the risk if possible, but only you can truly judge whether the risk is worth it for this person. Certainly there's other fish in the sea, but is this one a keeper (and worth contracting herpes)? Good luck!
Posted 2/13/2018 3:34 PM (GMT 0)

Connor77 said...
I have read some reports of herpes causing UC in people who received analingus from someone infected.


I have heard of infectious proctitis, but never UC. I am certainly no expert on the topic though.
Posted 2/13/2018 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
It means you could get Herpes Simplex I or II, whichever it is.....or whatever STD the partner would have.


While herpes simplex I & II presents on the skin, it sits in a nerve route and is there for life and HIGHLY infectious. There are many illnesses attributed to and under the umbrella of Herpes. I call it a hell virus.

Biopsies can definitely tell, and if you have an outbreak of genital HS, it is definitely possible to trigger a UC flare indirectly. Body distress has a funny way of inviting the unwanted. It is possible that an infection of herpes can cause predisposed UC into action as well.....my perspective on that, more described as the tipping point.

q
Posted 2/13/2018 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the advice.. I am not sure what to do, I like this girl a lot and we would take precautions.. i mean the next person I get with could have it and not tell me..
Posted 2/13/2018 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to reality. You are the keeper of your wellbeing regarding that. Find your voice and your boundaries. It's not only for you where this is involved. Risking can be a high price to pay in the end. Pun intended.

q
Posted 2/13/2018 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
If you stay with this person long-term than expect to get it. As precautions are just that, risks compound over time, and I wouldn't expect it to never get passed to you. One moment of carelessness in your precautions and you've got it for life!
Posted 2/13/2018 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
I have heard of long term relationships where one person has it, but the other does not. I think as long as this person is taking their medication consistently, is honest about if and when they are experiencing an outbreak and you refrain from any type of intercourse during those times, and remain protected at all times, you would be fine for the most part. Hence the 1% chance you mentioned. It really may not even be 1% with the proper precautions. I agree with others about it burdening your immune system if you do happen to catch it. You may also want to refrain from any intercourse when you feel your immune system is lower than usual as well, just as an added measure.
Posted 2/16/2018 1:31 AM (GMT 0)
I have HSV1 in my eyes.
Imuran made it go crazy. With my immune system suppressed, I got cold sores throughout my mouth , nose and eyes. Left scars on my corneas.
Now I stay on Valtrex, which helps, but still a problem.

Since I’ve never managed to hit remission yet, don’t really have an answer.
Just additional data.
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