Newly Diagnosed

Hello.  

I would like to know the likelihood of "just now" having contracted herpes from someone I've been intimate with for almost a year.  I've been tested for STDs twice this year, and a third time last week (culture and blood).  I went this third time because of redness and sensitivity in my vaginal area, this was 4 days after sex with my partner.  I was told Monday that my blood work came back negative (IgG and IgM) for herpes, but that my culture was positive for it.  I'm still going through my first outbreak (it has now been exactly 2 weeks since I first noticed the sensitivity in my vaginal area), which isn't painful or bothersome at all, I'm very thankful for that; especially after having read what some people experience during an initial outbreak.

Regarding my previous tests, the two that were done earlier this year, and all tests in the past (blood only), have all been negative.  Is it possible for my partner to have had herpes all this time, and only now transmit it to me?  He has not gotten his test results back yet.  He has no signs or symptoms of any STDs, and he has not been tested for STDs in over 3 years (he gets tested for HIV every year, but no other tests, which I find strange).

Also, my partner and I both perform oral sex, is it possible for me to have gotten it from him, if it's only in my genital area?  Could I have had it all this time, even with the past negative blood tests?  I don't want to accuse my partner of being unfaithful, but this is such a mystery to me.

Thank you.

[petal130]

The likelihood is huge. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 5 men have genital herpes; of that only 90% even know it. It can lay dormant for years.

Was your culture for HSV-1 or HSV-2?

As well, I can share my own experience of getting genital HSV-1 from my partner through oral sex. In the 5 years we've been together (and that's how long it took for him to transmit it to me), he never had a cold sore (but has oral herpes), but the herpes virus can be transmitted through viral "shedding", when the virus is active but there are no outward symptoms. He used to get cold sores in his teens (he's now in his forties), but hasn't for years.

Since you had a positive culture and negative blood test, that means it's a recent exposure, because it takes your body 3-4 months to develop antibodies to the virus.

At this point your partner should be tested as well. Request an IgG type specific test (and IgM is worthless for diagnosing herpes).

For a really good source of information, read the Herpes Handbook here:  
http://www.westoverheights.com/genital_herpes/handbook/view_the_chapters.html