Genital Herpes Only After Sex?

[AdviceAppreciated]

Dear Doctor,

I have had one partner during the past 12 months. 5 months into the relationship, after having more and more frequent intercourse, I developed the first signs of a single genital herpes ulcer, which I initially mistook for some kind of pimple. After it didn't go away for 2 weeks, I went to a health center and got a lab test - which came out negative for herpes simplex virus. However, I was worried because the testing happened after the ulcer had mostly healed over and the doctor said that really recurrence is the major sign of herpes.

Then, after several months of not seeing each other due to travel/work, we were reunited and a few weeks after regular intercourse I developed two more small ulcers - this time less severe. After reading and identifying that what I have indeed fits "the description" I'm pretty convinced that I have genital herpes. (I know I should get tested again to confirm). However she's never had any signs whatsoever.

So I guess I have two questions:

1) Is there anything else this could possibly be - i.e. perhaps just a result of not having such regular intercourse for so long?

2) Is it normal that a couple could be having regular sexual intercourse for several months without any signs, and then after not seeing each other for several months they come up again? I guess I'm asking what role sex plays in actual outbreaks - is it more likely that outbreaks occur due to intercourse? What about the fact that she doesn't seem to have any signs?

Thank you for your help.

[AdviceAppreciated]

I have a picture as well. Would I post it somewhere here?

[AdviceAppreciated]

I'm the same guy that posted the above. I have a picture as well, would I put a link here somewhere?

[Terri Warren, RN, Adult Nurse Practitioner]

I'd prefer that you didn't post the picture, thanks.

These ulcers could definitely be herpes, but without testing there is no way to know for sure.  Have you guys talked about this?  Has your partner ever been tested for herpes, do you know?  Have either of you had antibody testing done?  I would agree that the swab test that you had was too far into the healing process to be considered accurate.  The next time you get an ulcer, you should get it swab tested, preferably using PCR rather than culture, immediately.  

Its possible that transmission of herpes could occur well into the duration of the relationship.  It doesn't always happen right away.  If you were my patients, I would get you both antibody tested and compare the results, taking into consideration the duration of time since the development of the ulcers.  

For some people, the friction of intercourse is a trigger for outbreaks, yes.

Terri