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A Host of HSV 2 questions
Good afternoon Ms Warren,
I'm writing this on behalf of my niece. I'm a nuse but am very ignorant (perhaps now this will change) about herpes. My specialty is quite different.
She thinks she might have been infected recently or perhaps in the past (going through testing now) and needs a wee bit of information. I'll get straight to the questions.
1. If someone has blisters solely on a non-genital area, like the buttock, does this indicate a previous infection or can it be the first infection?
2. How often do initial infections occur on the bum or leg (if the buttock wasn't touched by the penis or mouth during sex)? I've read that the first infection is always on the vagina.
3. Is cervical discharge, without blisters on the cervix, an indication of a first infection or can it also happen with subsequent infection?
4. Why does cervical discharge occur (if there are no blisters on the cervix, yeast infection or other such infection or blisters in the vaginal area present)?
5. Why is the cervix involved in the first infection when the virus is not directly rubbed onto that specific area during sex?
6. Can someone have a very mild (almost unnoticed initial infection) and then have a latter outbreak many years later and fairly regular outbreaks thereafter? If so, is it common?
7. Will most men still want to date women with this infection or is it better to date others with the infection to avoid potentially infecting others?
8. If a couple (one positive, one negative) date, and later the negative one becomes positive (if status has previously been disclosed), does the relationship suffer and eventually end?
9. Is sex ever enjoyable again or is does it become a fearful act (esp on part of the infected person)?
I ask all these questions based on your clinical experiences.
Respectfully yours,
Kate
I'm writing this on behalf of my niece. I'm a nuse but am very ignorant (perhaps now this will change) about herpes. My specialty is quite different.
She thinks she might have been infected recently or perhaps in the past (going through testing now) and needs a wee bit of information. I'll get straight to the questions.
1. If someone has blisters solely on a non-genital area, like the buttock, does this indicate a previous infection or can it be the first infection?
2. How often do initial infections occur on the bum or leg (if the buttock wasn't touched by the penis or mouth during sex)? I've read that the first infection is always on the vagina.
3. Is cervical discharge, without blisters on the cervix, an indication of a first infection or can it also happen with subsequent infection?
4. Why does cervical discharge occur (if there are no blisters on the cervix, yeast infection or other such infection or blisters in the vaginal area present)?
5. Why is the cervix involved in the first infection when the virus is not directly rubbed onto that specific area during sex?
6. Can someone have a very mild (almost unnoticed initial infection) and then have a latter outbreak many years later and fairly regular outbreaks thereafter? If so, is it common?
7. Will most men still want to date women with this infection or is it better to date others with the infection to avoid potentially infecting others?
8. If a couple (one positive, one negative) date, and later the negative one becomes positive (if status has previously been disclosed), does the relationship suffer and eventually end?
9. Is sex ever enjoyable again or is does it become a fearful act (esp on part of the infected person)?
I ask all these questions based on your clinical experiences.
Respectfully yours,
Kate
Gosh, Nurse Warren, thank you for sharing your very vast knowledge.
My goodness, I hate to be a pain but have just a couple of last questions. I well understand your time limitations
To clarify your last comment: Would cervical blisters typically break open and create discharge approx five days after the blisters first appear on the cervix? Or does discharge occur simultaneously when lesions first appear. Which understanding is correct?
Are prodomal symptoms typically unilateral or bilateral?
What are the typical signs of HSV seroconversion? Similar to HIV conversion symptoms? Flu? Or nothing?
And finally, when you say that her infection could be a first one, based on having concurrent cervical lesions and buttock lesions, but is more likely to be a recurrence? How much more likely, a lot, a little? In your practice, have you seen something like this as an initial infection?
My niece is still awaiting test results (although infection seems extremely likely) and she's desperately trying to figure out if this could be a recurrent or an initial infection. Of course, she won't tell her mother. Oh, the drama. She's only had two sexual partners, and both are denying anything at this point.
Respectfully yours
My goodness, I hate to be a pain but have just a couple of last questions. I well understand your time limitations
To clarify your last comment: Would cervical blisters typically break open and create discharge approx five days after the blisters first appear on the cervix? Or does discharge occur simultaneously when lesions first appear. Which understanding is correct?
Are prodomal symptoms typically unilateral or bilateral?
What are the typical signs of HSV seroconversion? Similar to HIV conversion symptoms? Flu? Or nothing?
And finally, when you say that her infection could be a first one, based on having concurrent cervical lesions and buttock lesions, but is more likely to be a recurrence? How much more likely, a lot, a little? In your practice, have you seen something like this as an initial infection?
My niece is still awaiting test results (although infection seems extremely likely) and she's desperately trying to figure out if this could be a recurrent or an initial infection. Of course, she won't tell her mother. Oh, the drama. She's only had two sexual partners, and both are denying anything at this point.
Respectfully yours
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1. On average about 5 days from infection. They are usually noticeable on exam, yes. They take a few weeks to heal.
2. Well, yes, perhaps.
3. This could be either a first infection (less likely I think) or recurrence.
Has she had any positive herpes tests?
Terri
2. Well, yes, perhaps.
3. This could be either a first infection (less likely I think) or recurrence.
Has she had any positive herpes tests?
Terri
Nurse Warren, thank you for your attention to detail in the answers. Extremely informative.
To clarify:
1. How long does it take for cervical blisters to break open and create discharge? That is, how many days after the blisters appear does discharge begin? How long do cervical blisters typically take to heal? Are they always visibly noticeable through internal exam?
2. In the case of my niece, she didn't have blisters on her cervix, but severe vaginal discharge, clear and fluid-like, and no sign of other infection. Can herpes cause discharge without any blisters or other vaginal infections?
3. If she had concurrent cervical lesions and buttock lesions, would this raise the likelihood of this being an initial infection or does it still qualify as a likely recurrence?
Thank you ever so much :)
To clarify:
1. How long does it take for cervical blisters to break open and create discharge? That is, how many days after the blisters appear does discharge begin? How long do cervical blisters typically take to heal? Are they always visibly noticeable through internal exam?
2. In the case of my niece, she didn't have blisters on her cervix, but severe vaginal discharge, clear and fluid-like, and no sign of other infection. Can herpes cause discharge without any blisters or other vaginal infections?
3. If she had concurrent cervical lesions and buttock lesions, would this raise the likelihood of this being an initial infection or does it still qualify as a likely recurrence?
Thank you ever so much :)
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1. If someone has blisters solely on a non-genital area, like the buttock, does this indicate a previous infection or can it be the first infection?
Usually, an outbreak on the buttocks alone would indicate a recurrence. The first infection most often appears in the area of contact, the genitals. I don't know that this is 100% true, however, just usually true.
2. How often do initial infections occur on the bum or leg (if the buttock wasn't touched by the penis or mouth during sex)? I've read that the first infection is always on the vagina.
Again, my answer as above.
3. Is cervical discharge, without blisters on the cervix, an indication of a first infection or can it also happen with subsequent infection?
Discharge often happens with first infection, and about 15% of recurrences involve the cervix. How would she know if there were or were not blisters on the cervix? Did someone look at her cervix, are you saying?
4. Why does cervical discharge occur (if there are no blisters on the cervix, yeast infection or other such infection or blisters in the vaginal area present)?
Cervical discharge from herpes would occur because of lesions on the cervix erupting and dumping cellular material in to the vagina.
5. Why is the cervix involved in the first infection when the virus is not directly rubbed onto that specific area during sex?
It involves the cervix because the virus travels on the nerves of the sacral ganglia. Also, usually with intercourse that is unprotected, the cervix does get involved.
6. Can someone have a very mild (almost unnoticed initial infection) and then have a latter outbreak many years later and fairly regular outbreaks thereafter? If so, is it common?
Yes, this scenario is very common, probably the most common. Since about 80% of those infected don't know it, that makes a lot of sense.
7. Will most men still want to date women with this infection or is it better to date others with the infection to avoid potentially infecting others?
I think people should date those with whom they have the most in common. Some men will reject her due to herpes but more will accept her. If she is really afraid to risk rejection, she might start dating again with someone who is infected. There are lots of dating sites online for those infected with herpes, but I think it would be a shame to limit her self in this way forever.
8. If a couple (one positive, one negative) date, and later the negative one becomes positive (if status has previously been disclosed), does the relationship suffer and eventually end?
No, I don't think so. In fact, in long term, high quality relationships, when the uninfected person is AWARE of their partners HSV status, it is sometimes a relief to be able to stop worrying about transmitting herpes and possibly using condoms for long periods of time.
9. Is sex ever enjoyable again or is does it become a fearful act (esp on part of the infected person)?
This is, of course, very individual. Most people get past the worries about herpes and focus on living fully, including sexually satisfying and enjoyable relationships.
Terri
Usually, an outbreak on the buttocks alone would indicate a recurrence. The first infection most often appears in the area of contact, the genitals. I don't know that this is 100% true, however, just usually true.
2. How often do initial infections occur on the bum or leg (if the buttock wasn't touched by the penis or mouth during sex)? I've read that the first infection is always on the vagina.
Again, my answer as above.
3. Is cervical discharge, without blisters on the cervix, an indication of a first infection or can it also happen with subsequent infection?
Discharge often happens with first infection, and about 15% of recurrences involve the cervix. How would she know if there were or were not blisters on the cervix? Did someone look at her cervix, are you saying?
4. Why does cervical discharge occur (if there are no blisters on the cervix, yeast infection or other such infection or blisters in the vaginal area present)?
Cervical discharge from herpes would occur because of lesions on the cervix erupting and dumping cellular material in to the vagina.
5. Why is the cervix involved in the first infection when the virus is not directly rubbed onto that specific area during sex?
It involves the cervix because the virus travels on the nerves of the sacral ganglia. Also, usually with intercourse that is unprotected, the cervix does get involved.
6. Can someone have a very mild (almost unnoticed initial infection) and then have a latter outbreak many years later and fairly regular outbreaks thereafter? If so, is it common?
Yes, this scenario is very common, probably the most common. Since about 80% of those infected don't know it, that makes a lot of sense.
7. Will most men still want to date women with this infection or is it better to date others with the infection to avoid potentially infecting others?
I think people should date those with whom they have the most in common. Some men will reject her due to herpes but more will accept her. If she is really afraid to risk rejection, she might start dating again with someone who is infected. There are lots of dating sites online for those infected with herpes, but I think it would be a shame to limit her self in this way forever.
8. If a couple (one positive, one negative) date, and later the negative one becomes positive (if status has previously been disclosed), does the relationship suffer and eventually end?
No, I don't think so. In fact, in long term, high quality relationships, when the uninfected person is AWARE of their partners HSV status, it is sometimes a relief to be able to stop worrying about transmitting herpes and possibly using condoms for long periods of time.
9. Is sex ever enjoyable again or is does it become a fearful act (esp on part of the infected person)?
This is, of course, very individual. Most people get past the worries about herpes and focus on living fully, including sexually satisfying and enjoyable relationships.
Terri
You are reading content posted in the Herpes Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
