Still waiting

I just want to thank everyone who keeps up with this site for support.  I find just having others willing to listen or help means the world.  
About 8 weeks ago I had three sores on my vagina.  However, a culture of it came out negative (even when the nurse said it was definitely herpes).  Since then I've had pain in the lower back and some vaginal tingling but that's it.  I know I have to keep waiting to get the blood test done but there isn't a day that goes by that I'm not thinking about this.  
I've always suffered from depression and a lack of positive self image..and I'm at a loss at how I'm going to handle this if it's herpes.  I know they say one in 4 or one in 5 have it but I've never encountered that.  I'm so afraid of being rejected.  How have others coped?  

[auntiejessi]

I've coped because I usually just deal with life as "it is what it is."  Life has enough drama without me adding to it.

Have you tested at all yet?  Any cultures?  Anything?

If you have good insurance, you might try a blood test now.  75% or so (I think, don't quote me on the exact number), will test positive by 8 weeks.

If it comes back negative now, and positive later, you'll at least know its a new infection for you.  Ask your doc for a type specific IgG blood test.

Aj

[Carla548]

yeah I had a culture when I had my sores...but they hadn't fully developed (has pus) and the test came back negative.  

I'm in college and they said the blood test would be about 30 dollars for me so I should wait so thatI would know for sure later...though I'm not sure what type of blood test they do

[gracefromHHP]

So why if genital herpes is so prevelant have you never known anyone else who has it? Because it's not something folks stand around and talk about for starters.  Really when you and your gf's are sitting around a bag of chips and salsa do you bring up your gyn appointments or std's?  I know I don't with my gf's.  it's just not something most folks are comfortable talking about and not something that most folks are comfortable hearing about.  Also what further makes it unlikely that folks are going to tell you that they have herpes is that over 90% of them - have no idea they have it. This has been shown time and time again in study after study to be true. Folks assume that if they had it they'd have very obvious and painful blisters that you couldn't miss if your life depended on it. The reality is that most folks have much milder symptoms or they have symptoms that are easily attributed to other causes - even by the medical establishment.  So it's not that no one you know has herpes - it's that they either don't know it or they aren't talking about it.  Don't feel like you are the only one - be glad that if indeed you really do have genital herpes that you are aware of it and can protect your partner. Even though the thought of having to talk about herpes with a potential partner is daunting sometimes - it's even harder to have someone look at you and tell you that they are pretty sure you gave them herpes and deal with it that way.  

Hang in there.  I also encourage you to go back and be seen again if you are having symptoms daily this whole time. Herpes would've already run its course by now and be gone.  You need retested for yeast and bacterial infections as well as a visual exam to look for other causes like general irritation etc.  You will get to the bottom of this - don't get wrapped up in the ole OMG IT HAS TO BE HERPES way of thinking.

grace