Genital Herpes

[Thisismyusernamefornow]

I have outbreaks every few months. It's painful all over my body. The virus makes me grumpy and run down and generally feel really shitty.

I want my boss to be aware of this without telling him the condition I have, due to the stigma that comes with this diagnosis.

Is there anything else that has the same symptoms that I can say I am suffering with instead?

First of all, sympathies. That sounds tough

are you taking anti virals? Some doctors will let you have a prescription to keep for when you feel the first tingle. The outbreaks seem very frequent. Have you talked to someone about it?

anyway, your actual question sorry. Can you just say “a recurring acute virus?”. It’s so odd this stigma when a huge proportion of the population has it but I agree it’s real.

“Hi Boss, I just wanted to discuss a personal matter with you. I have a condition that can flare up when in run down/stressed occasionally and this can make me feel lethargic and generally unwell. I wanted you to know as this may affect my ability to work sufficiently during flare ups. They aren’t regular but they do happen. As my health is personal to me I don’t want to go into much detail, however if you require any more information to confirm this via my GP I will get a fit note confirming the condition. I hope you understand”

Thanks. This sounds pretty reasonable and not too much info.

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Thanks. I've got a prescription to collect today and I've requested that they gave me an ongoing course as it's now 5-6 weeks, which is pretty hard going. Thankfully it only tends to last less than a week

I have herpes on my arm, very random I know. I just call it a shingles flair up.

You can also ask your doctor for a maintenance dose to take everyday. By taking low dose antivirals daily, it helps to stop outbreaks.

Thank you

Have you ever been offered suppression? Aciclovir twice a day, most people don’t get any outbreaks.

Just say you have shingles , they are similar virus and both shingles and herpes are chronic viral conditions that may flare up intermittently throughout your life. So he won't doubt you.

I got diagnosed at the GUM and then I've had another flare up this week so emailed the doctors who sent a message back saying they'd sent a prescription for a longer and more frequent course so I guess that's suppression? Fingers crossed it works. I'm stressed atm so guess that's a trigger.

Yes I think that's the one.

They won't make me stay home will they?

I think I've read it's bony contagious when it's not weeping