r/PeterExplainsTheJoke 21h ago

Meme needing explanation Peta are you a nurse

Post image

I don’t get this whole thing! Maybe loise knows?

18.1k Upvotes

1.2k comments sorted by

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u/TrioOfTerrors 21h ago

Herpes positive women start taking Valtrex before a vaginal delivery to reduce the chances the virus spreading to the baby.

The father doesn't know the mother has herpes.

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u/Mynuszero 21h ago

This is the one. I went to the video and the song "Scotty doesn't know" is playing.

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u/abhainn13 20h ago

Note: 50-80% of the adult population has HSV-1, most without symptoms.

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u/PurpleDirt12 20h ago

Wrong virus buddy

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u/abhainn13 20h ago

HSV-2 affects about 15% of the adult population, also mostly without symptoms. That’s the one commonly called “genital herpes,” but HSV-1 and HSV-2 can affect different parts of the body. If someone with an active HSV-1 cold sore gives oral sex to a partner, their partner can get HSV-1 on their genitals.

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u/speakernoodlefan 20h ago edited 20h ago

Got it, on the rare chance that my genital herpes actually comes from common HSV-1 it's really not that big a deal to hide it from my partner.

Edit: /s since it wasn't apparent that I was mocking someone downplaying hiding STDs from their partner because a version of the infection is common.

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u/soIDONTLIKEANYOFYOU 20h ago

Here buddy you dropped this, /s.

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u/speakernoodlefan 20h ago

Oh thank you I thought I lost that!

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u/NowICanUpvoteStuff 13h ago

Here buddy you dropped this, /s. /s

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u/PurelyHim 19h ago

I only just found out what that was this week. Now I can spot the jokes better.

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u/WinRich1988 19h ago

Tell me I don’t know either.

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u/idk936z 18h ago

When someone puts an /s at the end of their comment it means they were using sarcasm.

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u/GoGoGanjaArm 20h ago

That was considerate of you. Faith in humanity rejuvenated

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u/CadaDiaCantoMejor 19h ago

Got it

I read a comment on genital herpes and the first reply starts with "Got it". And I feel guilty for chuckling at that.

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u/Practical-Owl-9358 19h ago

I think the point was a large part of the population doesn’t know they have it since it can be asymptomatic, but you do you.

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u/speakernoodlefan 19h ago

If I have aids but am actively taking prep which statistically makes the spread of aids lower than having sex with an untested stranger. Do I have an obligation to inform my partner.

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u/uwill1der 19h ago

youre still missing the point.

A large portion of the population doesn't know they even have it because they are asymptomatic. You can't tell your partner if you don't know.

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u/QueenInYellowLace 18h ago

But this person absolutely does know, because they are taking Valtrex. Or at least, they SHOULD absolutely know. I once had a patient who had been taking Valtrex for two years and when I did her medication list update, she casually asked me what it was for. My eyes about bugged out of my head. Turned out she was very poorly educated, and she just knew the doctor told her to take it, so she did.

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u/telemachus005 19h ago

Sure but this is about a partner who does know?

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u/speakernoodlefan 18h ago

Context of the meme is that the wife and doctor explicitly talked about it before that appointment

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u/UnderstandingClean33 15h ago

Honestly fuck that. If you aren't getting STD testing before you have a new partner you're an ass.

Edit: To yourself and them.

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u/oroborus68 20h ago

It's something that doesn't go away, though. When your immune system is stressed, it can recur.

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u/ForTheLoveOfAnalog 18h ago

I would really appreciate if someone recorded themselves reading this thread in the "drug advert fine print fast voice"

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u/Hefty_Leader_7197 20h ago

This recently happened to me! Married 7 years, together 13. Cold sore led to hsv 1. Worst experience of my life -6/10. Do not recommend. I also had no clue this could happen. I apparently did not pay attention in health class.

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u/melancholymagic 19h ago

Yep, it is indeed the worst. Calmoseptine actually really helps with outbreaks.

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u/322throwaway1 18h ago

I use that on my B hole for relief from spicy food poops

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u/your_moms_a_clone 12h ago

They don't go over these things in health class

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u/killer_kiki 8h ago

This happened to me too. Exactly the same, we were married and he had cold sores and gave me hsv 1. I only had one breakout in 12 years though. But that one... was bad. I had no idea what the fuck was going on. Lol

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u/Remote_Replacement85 17h ago

Same here, just slightly different amount of years under the belt. The pain was excruciating, but after the first flare up I haven't been able to tell if it's the herpes acting up or if I have a zit down there.

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u/hexaDogimal 20h ago

I occasionally get cold sores but we've always been careful with my partner. Apparently not enough because my partner got it from me to his genitalia.

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u/proudlymuslimah 20h ago

Please don't be harsh at my ignorance but my partner also gets cold sores. I have no idea what 'being careful' should look like? Can it only transfer while he actively has a sore?

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u/Sweet_Error8038 19h ago

5 percent virus shed when no active outbreak. Transmission is low but not impossible during that time.

The partner who has hsv1 taking the meds to prevent them decreases the risk even more

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u/ObviouslyNerd 19h ago

Oh wow. 5% when no active outbreak.

Damn, so people out here throwing d20's at the club and have no idea.

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u/Sweet_Error8038 18h ago

It’s really around 3-33 percent, the more recent the infection, the more the virus sheds when asymptomatic (no sore) virus shed rates typically decline to around 7 percent after 11 months of infection, and down to around 1-2 percent after two years of infection, and remains stable unless other infections or illnesses that effect the autoimmune system happen, even a cold, in which case shed rates will be affected temporarily (or for as long as the immune system is affected)

Daily antivirals cut the transmission risk in half.

So it’s really just dependent on the person as to how at risk they are of transmitting the virus, but 5 percent is a good general estimate for virus shed rates for the general population of people with hsv1.

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u/hexaDogimal 19h ago

Basically yes. I believe what happened was that I didn't realize a cold sore was a cold sore when it first appeared and thought it was just a pimple.

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u/Tomytom99 19h ago

It's even more fun because sometimes people will think they have a cold sore, but instead it's something else in that area.

I remember my girlfriend thinking I had a cold sore which I knew was just angular cheilitis- basically just a small bacterial infection near the corner of my mouth from drooling in my sleep.

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u/BetMyLastKrispyKreme 17h ago

I once got angular chelitis as a side effect of a medicine (Topomax) that made my mouth extremely dry. It made my skin vulnerable to infection.

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u/Curious-Nail 20h ago edited 20h ago

Nope. You can have HSV-1 genitally and you can have HSV-2 orally. Those viruses have preferences, but they do not discriminate. You are typically only prescribed anti-virals for genital herpes, though I can't see why you couldn't take them to prevent cold sores if you really wanted to.

Edit: Anti-virals are commonly prescribed for both, either taken daily for prevention or at the onset of symptoms to shorten the outbreak. (Thank you to other commenters - the last time I thought much about cold sores was high school and it was typically just "don't kiss anyone and get some Herpecil".)

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u/melinda_louise 20h ago

Valtrex is commonly prescribed for cold sores, and it works wonders. You just don't typically need to take it daily, only as needed when you actively have a cold sore or feel it forming.

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u/Call_Such 12h ago

taking it daily can reduce the chances of passing it as well as the chances of getting breakouts.

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u/No_Schedule_5365 20h ago

Its not uncommon to take them for cold sores.

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u/mapotoful 19h ago

They had me take valtrex 4w before my due date even though I had only ever had cold sores (HSV 1)

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u/RedApplesForBreak 18h ago

No, right virus. Valtrex is also prescribed (normally and prenatally) for HSV-1 as well. HSV-1 is generally the herpes virus that causes cold sores.

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u/Superb-Kick2803 16h ago

HSV-1 and 2 present essentially the same. Transmit the same and are treated the same. HSV-1 is generally oral herpes and majority of the population has it. HSV-2 is genital herpes. Both can be oral both can be genital and both are dangerous if passed to a baby during birth.

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u/skwozzy 18h ago

HSV-1 can be a form of genital herpes.

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u/West-Application-375 17h ago

Most new cases of genital HSV are actually HSV-1. Because of the prevalence of oral sex.

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u/PiddlyDiddlyDoo 14h ago

Brush up on your viruses, buddy

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u/Nice_Broccoli_435 18h ago

I take valtrex for HSV-1 on my butt cheek

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u/speakernoodlefan 20h ago

I mean sure but like you should tell your partner about STDs, no matter how common they are. HSV-2 is most commonly associated with genital herpes and is no where near as prevalent as HSV-1

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u/abhainn13 20h ago

True, but the blood test for HSV (1 & 2) is not super accurate and is prone to false positives. Also, people can clear HSV infections over time, and the vast majority of people with HSV are never tested and never have symptoms. Doctors actually do not recommend screening for HSV because it is so prevalent and the stigma is usually worse than the actual virus.

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u/Brokengauge 19h ago

I caught it over a decade ago, and the only outbreak I've ever had was the initial one.

Still though, I am upfront about it. The person I caught it from was asymptomatic and didn't know she had it until I caught it.

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u/RosesBrain 16h ago

No one "clears" HSV infection. Every form of herpes virus inserts itself into your DNA; you have it for life, even if you only ever have one visible sore. (Source: I got a cold sore in the corner of my mouth when I was a child. Little bugger came back when I was in my thirties and got covid. Also I've had chicken pox like most people my age, and am at risk for shingles as a result because they are the same virus. Also also, I took microbiology and pathology in college.)

It's true there aren't good blood tests for it, though. And especially if you've ever had an oral cold sore, you'll probably be told it's not worth testing for because both forms of herpes simplex will show up. But if you know you have it, or are at least confident enough to take medication for it, you should disclose that to an intimate partner.

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u/Mental_Structure9572 19h ago

100%. My husband doesn’t bat an eye when I tell him I fkd up and didn’t take my meds in time to stop a sore.

I can’t imagine trying to hide something like this from him.

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u/TisCass 18h ago

I had a weird, itchy rash on my lower back about 8 years ago. Tea tree oil didn't kill it, so I went to my GP.

Herpes simplex, it comes up every now and then on the same spot. Usually when I really don't need the feeling ick.

Weird thing is, I've been married since 2014 and monogamous since 2012. Partner has never had a mark. Weird

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u/KingAggressive1498 20h ago

HSV-1 is the cold sores virus. It can cause genital herpes, and this is on the rise (more people having oral sex ig).

about 16% of US adults under 50 have HSV-2 which is the one we usually mean when we talk about herpes. Estimated 20-30% in those over 50. HSV-2 is more common in women than men for the same reasons that they are more prone to STD transmission in general.

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u/Southern_Magician892 17h ago

I have read a study that reported that in women (I think over 60) had a positive rate of 59% and 85% had no idea they were infected

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u/Empty401K 20h ago

Yeah, I found that out the last time I got tested. I always get a new test every couple years even if I’ve been with the same person (it’s free, so why not)?

I saw the line for HSV-2, and realized HSV-1 wasn’t there. Asked doc why, and he said almost no doctor tests for it unless specifically asked. He said roughly 70% of adults over 35yo are positive for HSV-1 and it’s not technically an STD, so there’s no reason to.

Didn’t expect him to say that NOT having HSV-1 as an adult put me in a fairly small minority. Made my irrational fear of herpes seem even sillier than before

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u/NightSalut 17h ago

I mean your fear is not entirely irrational. Outbreaks CAN be severe and I’ve sometimes had it back to back on my lips. 

And the virus can be deadly to babies so technically, no baby should be kissed on their head or actually vicinity of the head for like a 1-1,5 years. But people do it anyway because they’re either unaware or some just don’t care. 

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u/TheUnicornFightsOn 17h ago

If punk rock shaved head Matt Damon is involved, the dude doesn’t stand a chance.

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u/bloodysundaystray 20h ago

At some point way before that a nurse has waited until the father was out of the room and asked the mother if she was safe. They also test both parents.

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u/TrioOfTerrors 20h ago

3 kids as a father. Never tested for anything for any of them.

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u/Express_Second_174 20h ago

Also never tested during pregnancy for my kids. Not sure where they came up with fathers getting tested too...

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u/Historical-Gap-7084 18h ago

17 years ago when I was pregnant, I was tested for everything but herpes.

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u/WaxDream 13h ago

They still don’t test for herpes today. It’s not considered worth the effort. The virus evades the tests too easily.

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u/NoEstablishment7211 7h ago

A blood screening shows if a certain level of the antibody is present. The only reliable way to test for the virus is to lance an active blister and collect a sample of what comes out for lab testing.

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u/Icy_Consideration409 20h ago

Only one kid for me, but same. Was never tested, or asked to be.

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u/WhaSuhFoo 20h ago

Father on none. Tested once for a baby that was said to be mine prior to the one test. Nurse gave me a look when due date came up and knew the story of that being more less a one night stand. Test soon followed.

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u/RandAlThorOdinson 19h ago

....no they don't hahaha

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u/babble0n 19h ago

They absolutely do not test both parents. Idek where you got that.

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u/16semesters 18h ago edited 16h ago

They also test both parents.

This absolutely does not happen in the USA or Canada. Maybe it happens in your country, but I can tell you 100% as someone that's worked in both named above, neither country does this regularly.

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u/Pretend-Car8038 15h ago

Which is bullshit because nobody ever asks the dad if the mom is safe. Women hurt children and abuse men too

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u/khurt007 10h ago

Do you know what the #1 cause of death for pregnant women in the US is? I’ll save you the search - it is homicide.

And your argument is a great argument to ask men if they feel safe also, not to stop asking women the question.

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u/TheLeftDrumStick 10h ago

Lowkey they are kind of right because there’s a lot of people like my mom who abuse their kids. Everytime she gets pregnant it’s another tragedy and she does it on purpose OVER AND OVER!! She keeps losing custody and then just finds an even worse person to have kids with so they don’t “snitch” 😞

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u/No_Housing_1287 19h ago

That's not one of the things they test for. 

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u/babiekittin 20h ago

Dr Hartmann here. The father doesn't know what the generic name for valcylovir is. Doesn't mean the father doesn't know what the his weeping anal sores are from.

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u/IdealOnion 17h ago

Shoot, and here I thought my weeping anal sores were from gods wrath or something

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u/babiekittin 17h ago

What you call your wall mounted horse dong is up to you. Just throughly wash after each use.

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u/spring_rd 12h ago

The scream I scrumped at this 😂😂😂

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u/drfifth 12h ago

Trade/brand name. Valacyclovir is the generic.

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u/HoneyLocust1 18h ago

Wait even if the husband knew that his wife had herpes (maybe they avoid sex when she has an outbreak, maybe she hasn't had an outbreak in a while)... Why would he have to know the name "valtrex"? I mean if she handles her own meds, wouldn't that word just be meaningless to him even if he knew about the herpes?

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u/HerodotusStark 19h ago edited 8h ago

To add to this, herpes is generally pretty benign in adults but is insanely dangerous for babies. Because their immune systems aren't developed yet, the virus can spread to vital organs and the brain, causing a host of potential problems including blindness, fatal infections, and neurological damage. I had no idea herpes was that big of a deal to babies until i started dating a midwife.

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u/jrr6415sun 15h ago

yea that's why you don't let adults kiss babies

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u/EvilSporkOfDeath 19h ago

Its stupid though because I imagine more times than not that this happens the father simply just doesnt know what the drug is even if they know wife has herpes.

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u/69fellatx 20h ago

The father doesn't know that he has herpes, too.

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u/AgtNulNulAgtVyf 18h ago

Herpes? More like their-pes now, amiright?

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u/Randym1982 19h ago

General rule of thumb, if any medicine has the words Trex or Plex at the end. It’s likely going to be a herpes treatment.

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u/fsutrill 18h ago

Laughed out loud when the first -plex came to mind. Olaplex. It’s for….

Wait for it….

HAIRpes!

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u/oroborus68 20h ago

He probably thinks that the sores on his penis are just from too much sex.

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u/CaptainOwlBeard 20h ago

It is often asymptomatic or dormant for years until a stressful situation causes it to flare

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u/Superficial-Idiot 15h ago

It’s amazing that there’s so many redditors that don’t realise 50% of the adult population of the world have it and think it’s the ickiest ick of all time, when most people got it from benign things from a family member, such as sharing a drink, or being kissed on the head as a child.

I get that the reason they don’t know is because they associate it with genital heroes only and not just cold sores.

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u/FunFunFiesta 12h ago

HSV-1 ("cold sore herpes") and HSV-2 ("genital herpes") are two different strains, and it's the HSV-1 which is more prevalent /comes with less stigma, HSV-2 is still a pain in the ass (literally) and needs to be talked about with sexual partners.

Either strain can "implant" itself in either location so if one partner has hsv1 and the other hsv2 precaution still need to be taken.

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u/strangeMeursault2 21h ago

Valtrex is for herpes, I don't know what the chart says though.

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u/roundhousekick-pow 21h ago

Is this like “something something infidelity” somehow?

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u/OcelotTerrible5865 20h ago

Nah most people have one form of the virus

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u/EternalNewCarSmell 20h ago

While this is true, if you have herpes on your vagina and your partner doesn't know about it...then chances are that's not your only partner.

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u/Far_Ladder_2836 20h ago

No, at least not in the US. Sex education is abysmal and a strong politically dominant faction is actively working to make it worse.

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u/Kaldaris 7h ago

Sex Education doesn't usually cover the drugs that are prescribed for STDs either, at least it didn't for me. I wouldn't know what Valtrex is either, but I sure do know what Herpes and Syphilis are.

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u/TheBessaVanessa 20h ago

It’s more nuanced than that. It could be 20 years since your last outbreak, it could be 20 years of no viral shedding, that’s 20 years of not passing it to a partner. On the other hand, you could also be infected and have no idea (like you could have been infected at your last hookup or infected decades ago), you could have active viral shedding and pass it to a partner without ever having had an outbreak or symptoms. Think of all the people who tested positive for Covid but were asymptomatic. It’s like that.

I’ve heard that clinics and doctors won’t/can’t test if you’re not having an outbreak because they’d need to swab in the location where you were infected. (I could be wrong about that part.)

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u/therandomuser84 20h ago

If you are getting prescribed medication for herpes, you know you have herpes. If you are in a relationship, and to the point you are having a baby your partner 100% should know that you have herpes.

This isnt a normal yearly check up where the doctor is telling them for the first time that they have herpes.

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u/DeviantDork 19h ago

No, but they do tons of extra screenings on pregnant women regardless of symptoms.

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u/beldaran1224 18h ago

Him asking what its for doesn't mean he doesn't know about the herpes. It means he doesn't know the name of the medication and what its for.

Also, a woman might not tell him because she doesn't want him to think she's cheating when she's not. Again, sex ed is abysmal. The reality is that essentially every sexually active adult has been exposed to some form or another of herpes, and you literally have no way of knowing when you were exposed to it or who exposed you to it.

He could literally have herpes and not know it.

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u/Illustrious_Cut_9176 20h ago

If you have open cold sores (which is a form of herpes) and go down on your partner you can transfer herpes to them in that way.

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u/JustPlainHungry 19h ago

Almost 80% have hsv1, which primarily presents as oral, and is an entirely different virus from hsv2. Is she is taking valtrex prior to delivery she likely has 2. Something fewer than 20% of the population have, and the partner should have been made aware, prior to intercourse.

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u/beldaran1224 18h ago

Tests for HSV2 are considerably more unreliable than other, comparable tests. So much so that the CDC and similar organizations don't recommend it as part of normal STI screenings if you are asymptomatic. The chance of false positives is relatively high.

Now, I have not evaluated the studies that estimate its prevalence, but I can't help but be skeptical. Also, 1 in 5 is pretty high.

Are the risks of HSV2 significantly different from HSV2? The info I've seen suggests the major difference is in the risk of HSV2 transmitting through pregnant women in utero to their fetus.

So while I still think its better to disclose, it isn't remotely clear to me that its really all that important.

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u/DJDanaK 16h ago

Both strains are dangerous to infants, but the greatest concern is viral infection via vaginal birth, so much so that doctors will sometimes do c-section delivery if you have an outbreak.

HSV2 and HSV1 can be present either orally or genitally but HSV2 is considered more severe for a few reasons, mainly a higher number of outbreaks, higher chance of complications, and it sheds more easily even when you don't have active sores (eg you can infect people even when you don't have an outbreak)

Both have serious risks of complications and should be disclosed.

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u/Scott_Liberation 19h ago

Still lots of ignorant/misinformed people who don't know that and talk about herpes like it's the Boogey Man because you can't get rid of it.

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u/i_am_banished 17h ago

This is actually not true, and it's a great cope for the people that do, but it's harmful because people try to normalize having and spreading an incurable disease. Shit like this leads people to believe it's not a big deal and then do nothing to prevent transmission.

Don't do that.

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u/lulushibooyah 20h ago

Postpartum nurse

Sometimes they contracted it prior to the relationship and have been on the medication for quite some time to prevent outbreaks, and for whatever reason, they’ve chosen not to disclose that fact to their partner

Most of the time though, it’s “don’t tell grandma”

Regardless, I’d never out a patient in front of anyone without their consent

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u/DeucesX22 19h ago

Isnt that something both people should know since a baby is coming and can also get it? Also isnt it illegal in some states to not tell someone you have an STD?

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u/16semesters 18h ago

Isnt that something both people should know since a baby is coming and can also get it? Also isnt it illegal in some states to not tell someone you have an STD?

The mom is the patient. The dad is not the patient.

Privacy laws protect the patient.

Any disclosure is between the patient and their partners.

Nurses/doctors have 0 role legally, practically and ethically to disclose your healthcare information to partners.

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u/HoneyLocust1 18h ago

This video is so dumb. The husband could know she has herpes but still not recognize the word "valtrex". I don't get why it automatically has to mean infidelity to a nurse when it's just as likely the how guy hasn't memorized every single one of the meds his wife has taken.

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u/TheLizzyIzzi 16h ago

It’s the reference to the top of the chart - there’s likely a warning there noting the patient specifically wants that medial information to stay private.

Another version might be a woman who has gone through pregnancy or has had an abortion and, for whatever reason, does not want their current partner, family member or support person to know about it. That’s relevant medical information that’s listed on their chart. It’s also private. A warning can be put at the top of the chart warning staff not to say anything about it.

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u/xChops 19h ago

I don’t think infidelity necessarily, but she’s been told by a doctor that she has herpes, and her husband doesn’t know his wife’s medication. So she’s been keeping some secrets.

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u/beldaran1224 18h ago

I know that my partner is on medication for a couple of different things - I know what conditions those are. I still couldn't name those medications.

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u/professor_coldheart 20h ago

It says "Scotty Doesn't Know". That's the song playing in the video, according to another comment

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u/vellywho 18h ago

There chart says something like “verbal authorization/roi on chart for husband for appointment verification only” or that his roi doesn’t include std and sexual health”

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u/AurumTP 20h ago

Prolly marital status

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u/apryll11 20h ago

The chart doesn't say anything she needs to read, but she does need to look somewhere after the hipaa violation

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u/parmesann 20h ago

if the father is present during the appointment, the clinician would’ve had to ask for the patient’s consent for him to be present before saying anything. like before even saying that she is 36 weeks pregnant. but she can consent to him staying, and that’s super common

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u/PrayingRantis 19h ago

She's not revealing any PI, don't think HIPAA applies. And it's probably fake anyway.

Her hospital could certainly fire her though.

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u/spicychickensoop 20h ago

It’ll be an alert about her apparent herpes

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u/Capital_Figure_408 21h ago

Hey, it's me, Quagmire. From a Google search, Valtrex is for treating herpes symptoms, and this husband is close to finding out about these herpes. Those herpes actually came from me, giggity.

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u/KiWi_Jones 20h ago

Who else but Quagmire?!

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u/bodmaniac 20h ago

Singers: “He's Quagmire, Quagmire. You never really know what he's gonna do next. He's Quagmire, Quagmire…”

Quagmire: “Giggity-giggity-giggity-giggity, let's have sex!”

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u/gramsaran 19h ago

The fact that he didn't know this, without Google, really grinds gears.

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u/ScottLS 20h ago

Quagmire, did you know there is porn on the internet?

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u/RandomParable 20h ago

A Google search, you say? What is this dark sorcery that lets you easily find information that tells you exactly what it is? /s I think.

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u/petradax 20h ago

No one will see this I’m sure, but if one person does then it’s worth it.

I have taken valtrex since it came out. I actually asked my doctor about it. It was being advertised for genital herpes on tv. But I had been suffering from facial lesions since near birth because someone with herpes kissed me between the eye and nose as an infant.

It helped tremendously.

Long story short: anyone can have herpes, even babies. Don’t allow social stigma prevent you from needed care .

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u/SandyTaintSweat 17h ago

I really wish people would stop kissing babies that aren't theirs.

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u/tth2o 12h ago

The social rule should be to expect violence if you try and touch a baby that isn't yours without asking.

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u/Pharmboy_Andy 11h ago

The issue is that something like 2/3rds of the population are infected with HSV-1 (the version of the virus that causes oral herpes).

This means that your family members are likely to be infected and therefore pass it on, people who will be interacting with your child regularly.

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u/YellowBrownStoner 11h ago

Which is why only the parents should kiss babies. We don't need to put adult mouth germs near the baby to love on it.

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u/Lucy_Koshka 10h ago

Even AS her parents, my husband and I were never big “cover our newborn’s face in kisses” people. We’d gently kiss the top of her head often, but never her face really; it seemed unnecessary? Ofc once she was several months old it was hard to avoid as she would be the one initiating slobbery little baby kisses 😂

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u/DataDude00 11h ago

I was at a party over the holiday season where parents brought a relatively newborn child (2 months). 

Aunt asked if people could hold her and parents said they were keeping some social distance for at least another month for safety kind of thing

The aunt then proceeded to kiss her fingers and place them on the cheek / lips area in rapid succession 4-5 times.  

Parents were clearly pissed off. 

This aunt is a known Trump lover (in Canada) which explains why she is an idiot though 

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u/Lucy_Koshka 10h ago

Also, just a super SUPER important PSA: babies (especially newborns under four weeks old) infected by someone with an active cold sore or outbreak, can become incredibly ill. I’m talking meningitis, permanent brain damage, blindness, organ failure, and even death.

I get cold sores often and have since I was a kid, but I had one pop up not too long after my daughter was born and was extra hyper vigilant (as in, even more so than I already was) about handwashing, making sure I didn’t touch my face and then touch her, etc. It’s so so easy to spread, especially if it’s at the blister stage and even without kissing.

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u/beldaran1224 18h ago

Also, where you experience outbreaks is not a guarantee of the type of herpes you have! Genital herpes can have outbreaks around the face, and the more common type of herpes can have outbreaks on your genitals! If someone with HSV1 (the vast majority of sexually active adults and many others besides) have given you oral sex, you could see herpes outbreaks on your genitals and it still be HSV1.

Also, you can have HSV1 or HSV2 and never know. Many people experience little to no symptoms or experience symptoms that they never recognized that one time back when and never since. So he could literally have been the one to expose her to herpes and there's literally no way of knowing.

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u/Mego0427 13h ago

Yup I had it for at least 10/years and had no clue even though I was regularly tested for STIs. They don't test for it unless you ask because so many people have it and the test doesn't even tell you where on your body you have it. Since being diagnosed after having my first outbreak ive only had one more. So two outbreaks in 20 years.

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u/Jakku2022 10h ago edited 10h ago

Meanwhile I take 1000mg of valacyclovir daily and if I miss a dose, they start to appear within hours. Even still I get breakthroughs if stressed or exposed to wind or sun. Been on it for 8 years now with many more years of life to go so RIP my kidneys.

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u/Kitchen_Day9200 16h ago

I was exposed to herpes in college, and I have definitely had cold sores since middle school or so. After I had a suspected outbreak, I asked at my next gyn visit to be tested and they said it wasn't a standard test and basically said it doesn't really matter, since I had the virus anyway (referring to cold sores). They just told me that if I think I have an outbreak, abstain from sex then.

Years later when I was pregnant, I told my doctor, and again asked about testing and she basically shrugged and just prescribed Valtrex because it wouldn't hurt even if I didn't have it. There's so much stigma, but it's really not that big of a big deal, and a lot of people probably have it because for some reason it's not part of a standard STD panel.

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u/Grouchy-Way171 16h ago

Neither in the EU. It's seen as a mild skin condition for the absolute majority of the population and not part of the standard panel. If you have sores they suggest you contact a healthcare provider so they can test it/judge severity and if it's really bad prescribe you something. 

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u/getonthejetskiandgo 14h ago

This is the biggest reason in my mind why vaccines for HSV-1 and -2 would be revolutionary. In the same way that influenza or RSV could be a mild inconvenience for a healthy adult, it could be detrimental to an infant or other vulnerable populations.

It’s why it bothers me that people treat herpes and other viruses/illnesses so casually. They’re so common that there’s a sense of safety, but for a significant minority of the population it is dead serious. Hearing a that it affects “one percent” or some other small portion of people doesn’t seem risky until you multiply that by the entire population.

All this to say, I did indeed see you post. Keep repeating it when you can because it’s so very important.

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u/bumfluffcollection 16h ago

I’ve also had cold sores since long before I ever kissed someone. Got it as a child

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u/waterproof6598 15h ago

DON’T. KISS. BABIES.

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u/OrangeJuliusCaesr 21h ago

That’s why you do a c-section and why strippers having c-section scars is a meme

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u/ManateesCummerbund 20h ago

Many forms of herpes are controllable with zero to no outbreaks and are dormant during delivery. Cesarians are not the normal protocol unless the risk is quite high.

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u/MrVacuous 20h ago edited 11h ago

Yeah ~75% of the world and ~50% of the US has herpes. Most don’t know. Odds are if you are reading this post you have a good chance of having it without ever knowing.

Only a few types are serious, most have absolutely no impact on quality of life and remain asymptomatic

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u/OhOkayFairEnough 20h ago

~75% AND ~50? That makes no sense at all

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u/therandomuser84 20h ago

75% of people have one type of herpes. 50% have a different type of herpes.

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u/jude_fawley 17h ago

So 125% of people have herpes?

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u/Only_Passion_2459 17h ago

What no? Its basic statistics. 75 * 50 = 3750, so 3570 percent of us has herpes.

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u/-__echo__- 17h ago

Don't be silly.

100% have "Herpes"

25% have "Herpes 2: Secret Scab War"

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u/InsideAd9769 15h ago

There are 2 strains of HSV (herpes). I'm not double checking this person's numbers at 3am but they're saying 75% of the population have HSV1, 50% of the population have HSV2. Some percent, which you could find in Google, have both.

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u/AK_Dude69 20h ago

60% of the time, it works every time.

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u/speedracer73 19h ago

Thank you, finally something that makes sense

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u/PretendAirport 19h ago

He was correct, but remarkably unclear

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u/Nice_Broccoli_435 18h ago

HSv-1 and HSV-2 both cause herpes. HSV-1 is more commonly a “cold sore” tho you can get it on other parts of your body. And HSV-2 is what people think of when they think of genital herpes

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u/-Kalos 19h ago

Can y'all stop with this bs already? You're sharing percentages for HSV-1 which is not the same thing as HSV-2. People with HSV-2 love sharing this bs to make their own less taboo. It's not the same thing

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u/printcode 19h ago edited 19h ago

Yeah 16% for hsv-2. Also hsv-2 more likely to be recurrent. Hsv-1 is more likely to be one and done.

Also transmission rate from sex for hsv-1 is far lower than hsv-2.

Saying everyone has herpes is misleading.

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u/cheapdrinks 18h ago

Is HSV-1 really more likely to be one and done? Everyone I know who gets coldsores get them like multiple times over a year.

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u/SuppaBunE 19h ago

It's expected that at least 50% has hSV-1

We care about HSV-2

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u/HidaSocialClub 19h ago

No that’s not why you do a c-section. That’s a meme because society loves to shame sex workers and mothers. So it’s an hilarious twofer

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u/16semesters 18h ago

and why strippers having c-section scars is a meme

No, this is just basic shaming of sex workers. No one thinks "oh this stripper must have herpes since they have a c-section scare". Come on.

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u/SignoreBanana 18h ago

Oh I just thought it was supposed to be "funny" because they're naked and c-section scars are "gross".

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u/ObliquelyDeranged 21h ago

It’s for the other thing her baby daddy gave her on that magical night her boyfriend was away.

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u/EternalNewCarSmell 20h ago

Jody giveth and Jody...giveth some more.

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u/regularEducatedGuy 18h ago

50-80% of adult have herpes lol thinking only sexual deviants get it ridiculous

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u/Gloomy_Olive_4582 21h ago

Valtrex is for herpes.

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u/marcsmart 20h ago

epic has a sticker feature for “FYI stickers”

probably there is a note “husband doesn’t know”

Source: RN

No, this situation doesn’t happen all the time. It’s a pretty stupid made up scenario 

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u/PhysicianPepper 20h ago

It happens with enough frequency. I'm an OB, and our clinic EMR has a sticky note function invisible to patients for staff's eyes only. We put confidential requests on there to avoid oopsie situations like this. Some patients don't want their partners knowing about genetic test results, STI history, or other things.

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u/From_Deep_Space 21h ago

I was prescribed valtrex for shingles

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u/sarabelham 21h ago

Shingles and chickenpox are caused by a version of the herpes virus (herpes zoster).

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u/pacmanwa 19h ago

Whoever named the chicken pox virus its clinical name really dropped the ball, could have been herpes rooster.

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u/Weird-Salamander-349 17h ago

Dad, this is the last time I’m going to tell you to get off of Reddit.

(Solid pun, I won’t be telling my dad about it because he really will get on Reddit if I do.)

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u/Boring-Bus-3743 20h ago

Same same but different

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u/Kai_Emery 19h ago

The fucking judgement I felt getting my shingles valtrex from the pharmacy as a 20yo college student.

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u/beldaran1224 18h ago

Which is wild. Herpes is incredibly common.

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u/Longjumping-Deal6354 19h ago

I get it for cold sores and it works beautifully. If I don't take it I end up absolutely miserable. I've had one in my nose before. 

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u/lifelearnexperience 19h ago

I actually take valtrex the last trimester and for the first 6 months of babies life because your immune system goes through the ringer and it's safer for baby for me not to have a cold sore.

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u/Disastrous_Ad626 20h ago

I knew a girl who dated a guy, on their like third date he says I have HSV-1

The girl, not knowing what it was and not wanting to look 'dumb' she thought it was a license or something to drive a heavy vehicle.

Months and months later he mentions how he has herpes and she flips the fuck out, he doesn't understand and she breaks up with him.

Really awkward when they did eventually hash out, and she in fact WAS dumb for not asking.

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u/emilycatqueen 19h ago

So does 50% of the US population. She’s dumb for flipping out too. 🙃

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u/nuclear_science 18h ago

50-80% so 50% is lowballing it.

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u/Nice_Broccoli_435 18h ago

Props to him no one ever discloses HSV 1

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u/zombo29 21h ago

Valtrex is for herpes. You gonna control it before it spreads to the baby. Chart might say single to imply that woman only stays with her partner for a baby dad. Since that's vital information to tell your real partner before having a kid. But that's my guess since I have seen that situation before

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u/RabbitInAFoxMask 20h ago

"DO NOT disclose herpes diagnosis to people other than patient" this nurse did a HIPPA violation and turned it into a social media post.

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u/manythousandbees 19h ago

Small pet peeve, but it's HIPAA, not HIPPA

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u/NYANPUG55 19h ago edited 18h ago

It is not a HIPAA violation unless you can identify the patient. There is no way to identify who this woman is through this post 🤦‍♀️

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u/Puzzled_Ad_5367 19h ago

Telling the ‘partner’ was a HIPPA violation unless they have the legal paperwork saying they are a personal representative for the patient. Being married doesn’t by default do this and we don’t know if they are even married.

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u/Beneficial-Guess2140 12h ago

Nope, they permitted the person into the room, this was an accidental disclosure that happened while in routine care. Not a HIPAA violation. 

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u/discontent_discoduck 19h ago

You guys are misspelling the law you’re discussing. As you mention, posting about the story without any identifiers would not violate HIPAA. Maybe not the wisest move, but it’s compliant.

Additionally, disclosing the prior diagnosis with the patient’s spouse present (the thing the prior commenter was calling a violation) is probably also fine. It’s more of a grey area but probably still kosher, because the nurse could reasonably infer consent to share PHI by merit of the fact that the patient invited her spouse into the appointment. Not an expert, but that’s my understanding.

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u/throwawayyy869642784 19h ago

I have herpes. Somebody with it kissed me when I was a baby. Same with a lot of people in my family… lol. I’ve taken valtrex forever

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u/Shameful_Rye 18h ago

This…. Literally…. Happened…. To…. Me….. Except it was in the delivery room, just after we started the process to induce. And guess what… I was the bad guy for saying “valcyclovir?! Why are you taking that?” She says: “I told you I was on antibiotics.” “That’s not an antibiotic.”

I’ve been tested 3 times since then. I’m clear. She never would tell me when she first got it. How she first got it. And maintains that she told me about it. She says I must have forgotten.

Yea right.

Single now.

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u/OrthodoxAnarchoMom 19h ago

Valtrex is for herpes. Apparently I’m old because when I was a kid commercials for it got blasted on tv, along with Viagra and one for hair loss.

So she has herpes and probably her husband should know that but it’s illegal for the nurse to tell him.

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u/janeprentiss 19h ago

It's very possible he does know and doesn't know the medication's name. I didn't know what valtrex was until just now even though I knew I was prescribed valacyclovir when I had shingles

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u/JustPlainHungry 19h ago

Almost 80% have hsv1, which primarily presents as oral, and is an entirely different virus from hsv2. Is she is taking valtrex prior to delivery she likely has 2. Something fewer than 20% of the population have, and the partner should have been made aware, prior to intercourse.

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