Western Blot

[Cookie2011]

The doctor's office called and told me that the WB for both HSV1 and 2 were positive.   I asked if there were numbers, (i.e. 3.5 from an IGG), and I was told they just tell you if it's positive or negative.  The test was performed by the Univ. of Washington.

Is this correct?  Or do I need more info?

Thank you for your help...

Also, does anyone know a good STD doctor in OH?

[gracefromHHP]

being easily entertained is what keeps me semi sane around here ;)

[Cookie2011]

Thanks again!!  Still learning everyday....  Too funny on the comment!  lol

[gracefromHHP]

thanks for the thumbs up on the photo too :)  I figure since everyone else here is always wanting to post pictures of their genitals, I'd post a picture of my pu&^y too ;)

[gracefromHHP]

well really easy for them to test you for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally. that's gyn101 type stuff!

[Cookie2011]

Thanks Grace, I will..  Trying to find a dr that is familiar with all this, I feel like I'm educating them!  lol  Like the profile pic too.

[gracefromHHP]

it's when you have an active bv infection that the risk of a std is higher.

[bkbkbkgirl]

sorry i wasnt sure about the medication. but either way, if its cleared up with medication are your chances of contracting herpes still higher

[gracefromHHP]

bv isn't treated with diflucan. diflucan is for yeast infections.

[bkbkbkgirl]

are we referring to bactertial vaginosis or itis? and contracting herpes is morel ikely if u have bv, but what if it was cleared up with diflucan?

[gracefromHHP]

well if symptoms return, be seen and get properly tested to make sure you know for sure what is going on the next time.

[Cookie2011]

Grace, I wasn't tested, but I had a pill left over from taking an antibiotic back in the fall that I didn't use then and thought I would take it.  It worked...

[gracefromHHP]

bv is common in us gals in general.

having bv makes you more likely to contract a std, including herpes.

having herpes doesn't mean you'll get bv more often.

make any sense?

[Mistakeguy789]

Again you can post such questions in your own thread.  :-)

[wdoml]

I wasn't hijacking...I asked it under this post because Grace mentioned above that  BV is especially common with herpes and can trigger reaccurences

[Mistakeguy789]

It is best to ask questions on your own thread and not hijack those of other posters.  

[wdoml]

Hey Grace..quick question... I didnt know BV is common with people who have herpes.. is it common to get during a outbreak? or just common in general to have if you have herpes

[gracefromHHP]

so you were properly tested for yeast?

[Cookie2011]

Took a diflucocan (sp?) and that took care of it....  Thanks!

[vintage87]

Hey Cookie'
Im convinced it is the herpes because I've never experienced this until I was supposingly diagnosed. I take my Western Blot on Friday because I had a low positive with the HerpesSelect Test. However, I've been experiencing these symptoms for six months. I've had two normal pap smears and every other std is negative. My docter said I had a bv infection and I've taken antibiotics. The symptoms dissapeared but returned. I know exactly what your talking about.

[Cookie2011]

Have not been checked for that one.  I'll google the symptoms..  Thank you!

[gracefromHHP]

have they checked you for vaginitis?  bv especially is common with herpes and can trigger recurrences and can give you those sorts of sensations.

[Cookie2011]

Thank for the above comment.....

I've been having tingling, burning, itching in the genital area and also little tickling sensations in my buttocks (almost like you have a bug crawling on you), but no blisters.  Is this common? Is this what you call prodrome?  How long does this last at a time?  Today is Thursday and it's been going on since Saturday.  The dr did give me Valtrex and I've been taking 1000 mg a day.  Should I take more when this is going on?

[gracefromHHP]

I'm just open and honest about it with partners and incorporate it into the whole "sex talk" with a new partner - condoms, birth control , std testing and std history.  Most people don't get tested for std's unless they have symptoms. Even when they do get tested, most people don't get tested for herpes.  It's well worth covering it all.  when we get to the part where I let them know that I'm negative for std's, except for hsv1 and hsv2, I always follow that statement with - what do you know about either of them - and go from there.  I let them know the low rates of transmission in general as well as what I do to protect them to take their risk even low ( for a male partner you can get risk down to 1%/year which is lower than the risk of pregnancy with real use of the bc pill -8% ).   I've only ever been turned down twice because of my herpes from partners over the years. Most of my friends with herpes, have never been turned down.  It's really not the red flag most folks assume it must be :)

[Cookie2011]

Thank you Grace... The partner, that I believe exposed me, is no longer in the picture.  I was seeing someone when I had the first test (igg)  and he could not deal with the situation, now seeing someone new and this subject has not come up, yet.   We've been seeing each other for about a month, and I dread telling him too.  This is so new to deal with and the then the disappointment when someone you care about can't/won't deal with it.  Do you have a way to tell someone without sounding like doom and gloom?