RECENT HSV2 OUTBREAKS AND STD TESTING

I'm  extremely surprised to learn that the HSV test would not be part of routine STD testing.  Several posters have mentioned this!  After all, providers have to tell people about other STD's (even worse ones than HSV).  Makes no sense.  I'm a 65 year old female and contracted HSV2 in my early twenties.  Recently, I've been getting outbreaks every couple of months.  I'm also in a sexual relationship with somebody.  Could it be that my immune system has weakened with age and therefore I'm now getting more outbreaks?  I asked my partner if he has it and he said no.  I don't know whether to believe him, as I know he's been with many women.  But I DO know for sure when I contracted it!  BTW, can one be RE-infected with HSV2 if one already has a primary infection?  A different strain perhaps?

As for HSV1, I've had that since early childhood.  I remember my mother would get sores under her nose, so I might have gotten HSV1 from contact with her.  Not sure.

I recently got a full STD panel done via Kaiser Permanente (HMO) and it DID include the HSV 1 & 2 tests.  I was clean except for HSV 1 & 2.  Well, as least Kaiser included the test in the panel.  Docs have to inform patients about cancer and other life threatening diseases, so why not Herpes?  So many have it, or have it without knowing it, it seems ridiculous not to include it.  Do women tend to have worse symptoms than men?

Thanks for reading and/or suggestions.
.

[gracefromHHP]

thank you for making your own post on this. it keeps it WAY simpler :)

have you been tested for vaginal infections like BV since you started having ob's more often?  Have you been on any immune suppressing medications like steroids since this started?

no, you won't get hsv2 again and start having recurrences more often.  There isn't a "worse" strain of it that causes more ob's.

grace

[zarzamora]

I did do a full STD panel.  Was told everything was negative except for HSV 1 & 2.  ot sure if BV was included, but I can find out.  

Haven't been on any kind of steroid medication, but have been under a lot of stress this past year.  

Am thinking of asking my doc about antiviral meds.  Do you think that age could weaken the immune system and that, together with stress, could cause more outbreaks.  Or could the fact of just having more sex do it?

Thanks for your help.

[gracefromHHP]

if you had blood and urine testing done for std testing, bv wasn't included.

as we get older, we have less estrogen in our delicate genital skin and it's more prone to vaginal infections. definitely since you've had an increase in recurrences, go and get tested for bv. about 1/2 of women with bv are asymptomatic so you might not have discharge or itching to know you have it. it is known to increase herpes activity and often is the culprit behind increased ob's. also if your genital skin is thinning due to lack of hormones, that too can trigger more recurrences. sometimes topical estrogen helps - it strengthens the genital skin so it's stronger and less prone to "trauma".

certainly give suppressive therapy a try at this point to see if that helps. acyclovir is cheapest, even if you don't have insurance.  less ob's means less disruption to your sex life as well as suppressive therapy reduces transmission to a partner too.

hope that helps :)

[zarzamora]

Thanks for your reply.  What is the specific test for BV?  Would it be swabbing vaginal discharge?  They ''may'' have done that too, but I'll re-check with my doc.  I'll also ask about the antivirus med you mentioned.  I have medicare and Kaiser Permanente supplemental insurance which should cover it.  How long does one usually have to take these antiviral meds for?

Thanks for your help,

[gracefromHHP]

yes, your provider will swab your vaginal secretions and either look at them under the microscope or send it off to the lab.

you take the antivirals for as long as you want to. I'd try at least 6 months worth of suppressive therapy and if you are still having symptoms frequently during that time, you know it's time to look for other causes/contributing factors.

[zarzamora]

Thanks for all your help.

[zarzamora]

I forgot to ask something.  Do the antiviral meds come in generic form?

[gracefromHHP]

all 3 of them do. acyclovir is the cheapest out of them.

[zarzamora]

That's good to know.  BTW, how is BV treated?

Thanks again.

[gracefromHHP]

bv is treated with either oral or vaginal flagyl. you can also use clindamycin too either orally or vaginally.

[zarzamora]

Another quick question.  Are the suppressant meds considered to be steroids?  I'm terrified of steroids and don't want to gain weight.  Are you familiar with the side effects?

[gracefromHHP]

herpes antivirals are not steroids.