Herpes Symptoms question

[smb2]

I was diagnosed with herpes about 3 years ago by my doctor.  He did no testing, but just did a visual diagnosis.  I had severe internal itching - so originally thought I had a yeast infection, but I also had a swollen gland (in my neck) and flu-like symptoms.  I had NO external lesions, and could not see the lesions on the inside, even though my doctor tried to show me what they look like.  He prescribed Valtrex, and sent me home.  I was not on daily Valtrex after this, so I had another outbreak (I think) about a year later.  The only symptoms were that I really could not sit down for long periods of time without being uncomfortable.  I had leg and butt pains as well.  I could see no lesions, and had no other symptoms, but took the Valtrex anyway.

Within the past two years, I will have external itching that will last for several days, from time to time.  I went to the doctor because I thought it might be an outbreak, but they could see no lesions.  They could not find anything else wrong with me while I had the itching.  It looks like nothing out of the ordinary, only becomes red from me itching it.  I had my doctor put me on daily suppressive therapy, since I was paranoid about whether or not these occurrences were outbreaks.  The initial outbreak, and the one I (think) I had a year later are the only ones I have had.  However, about a week ago, the external itching started again.  I no longer have the itching, however, now I have pains in my legs and butt.  I can see no lesions, have no internal itching or pain, and no other symptoms.  But like I said - I have never seen lesions so I NEVER know when I'm having an outbreak, which is frustrating.  Can you tell me if you think this recurring external itching is an outbreak? Or if just the pains in the legs and butt are an outbreak?

[gracefromHHP]

They should be checking you for vaginitis when you have complaints of itching - not just doing a looksee and saying everything looks fine. Perhaps go to a different clinic the next time you have itching ( which I guess is now right? ).

precautions don't really change depending on what type you have.  The herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com goes into this in more detail for further reading. If you have hsv1 genitally and your partner has hsv1 orally ( which many adults do ) then you aren't likely to transmit it to a partner. You also get a lot more benefit from suppressive therapy with hsv2 than you do hsv1.

grace

[smb2]

They have not been checking for yeast and bacterial infections, they just do visual exams and tell me that everything looks normal.  

What are the different types of precautions that you are supposed to take depending on what type you have?

[gracefromHHP]

I recommend getting a type specific herpes igg blood test  to confirm your herpes status for starters. You can't really take precautions with a partner until you know what type you have.

Just itching can be herpes related. You will still shed the virus periodically as well as have obvious lesions even while on suppressive therapy.  You can try asking them to do a pcr swab on the areas that itch the next time it happens.  Have they been checking you for yeast and bacterial vaginal infections too when you have these itching episodes?

grace