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Vaginal Cuts and Herpes
Grace,
I have recently been diagnosed with Herpes 1 (not a suprise) and Herpes 2. Since then, I have poured over the doctors and others comments on false positives, symptoms (or lack there of), etc. I have been married for the 10 years and with my husband for 13 and feel very strongly that he has not cheated on me. So I'm figuring if I do indeed have it, then I've had it for at least 13 years. I'm definitely coming to terms with it after the inital shock, but there are many questions still lingering based on all that I've read and understand about this very complex STD. Here's my "story": For many years, I have struggled with "paper cuts" in my labial folds (always right on the crease)that have seemingly become more frequent and more uncomfortable in the past few years. Some heal quickly, others not so fast. During these times, my labia is often swollen, the interior red and it is often accompanied by itching. My husband, on the other hand, has never had a noticeable outbreak. My husband told his Doc that he may have been exposed, but was told if he's never had an outbreak than he doesn't have it so don't worry abou getting tested. We're going to test him anyway through my doctor, but here are my questions and test results from the Herpes Select Test.
Results: Herpe 1- 5.2, Herpes 2- 3.0
1) Does it seem strange that my husband hasn't had a noticeable outbreak after all these years?
2) If he tests negative, would it make my positive result more likely to be a false positive after 10+ years of unprotected sex?
3) Why, if the tendency is to have less outbreaks over time, do I seem to be having more? (Do my kids really give me that much stress?? :)
4) Should I be retested along with my husband or just wait for his results to come back and then decide?
I have recently been diagnosed with Herpes 1 (not a suprise) and Herpes 2. Since then, I have poured over the doctors and others comments on false positives, symptoms (or lack there of), etc. I have been married for the 10 years and with my husband for 13 and feel very strongly that he has not cheated on me. So I'm figuring if I do indeed have it, then I've had it for at least 13 years. I'm definitely coming to terms with it after the inital shock, but there are many questions still lingering based on all that I've read and understand about this very complex STD. Here's my "story": For many years, I have struggled with "paper cuts" in my labial folds (always right on the crease)that have seemingly become more frequent and more uncomfortable in the past few years. Some heal quickly, others not so fast. During these times, my labia is often swollen, the interior red and it is often accompanied by itching. My husband, on the other hand, has never had a noticeable outbreak. My husband told his Doc that he may have been exposed, but was told if he's never had an outbreak than he doesn't have it so don't worry abou getting tested. We're going to test him anyway through my doctor, but here are my questions and test results from the Herpes Select Test.
Results: Herpe 1- 5.2, Herpes 2- 3.0
1) Does it seem strange that my husband hasn't had a noticeable outbreak after all these years?
2) If he tests negative, would it make my positive result more likely to be a false positive after 10+ years of unprotected sex?
3) Why, if the tendency is to have less outbreaks over time, do I seem to be having more? (Do my kids really give me that much stress?? :)
4) Should I be retested along with my husband or just wait for his results to come back and then decide?
I don't know. Does make me kindof wonder when the acyclovir must be keeping the tears at bay. I hate knowing, I guess. It is not something you can talk openly with many people. My good friend, husband and mom and you and this forum. Such an annoying problem and then having to have this big secret makes it worse. Hope all is well with you. back atcha soon, EB
I like that take care of me part. I have been sleeping soooo much trying to beat this laryngitis and I pretty much have. Ya, you and me are in similar situations. Part of me says no way, if it were really herpes, it would be on my fingers and in my eyes, etc. as I have looked when I have the tears and swelling, wondering what the hell it is. Then part of me says dryness, yes and like you, has been much worse lately too. Are you even close to my age? Anyway, it does seem rather extreme sometimes the way the swelling and itching get, and looking back on it, i did treat myself for yeast a lot. An ob doc of mine saw my cut one time, I told him to look at it, actually and to culture it, even though he said there was nothing to culture. Of course it was neg. You have to culture it right away, like withing 24-36 hrs if I remember right. I am going to go get another Herpes Select test done at planned parenthood. He NP didn't give me any kinds of numbers just said pos. She said they are either pos or neg. I do believe it in a way, cause wow, what a lot of irritations over the yrs for it to be dryness or nothing. Yet, why doesn't my husband have it? He has type 1 as I said as does his whole fam, thanks to his mom. So, hopefully if and when I get time in the next week or two, I will go back to planned parenthood and get another test just to be completely sure. I know those tests are accurate but hey, one more won't hurt anything. I too have gotten to the point of washing my hands more and always, kindof worried about the towels when I was irritated because I think in the back of my mind I always thought i had it. Just didn't know what else could be driving me so crazy. I know you can't get it through towels but when you have kids you, you are very careful, no?? So, let's go get another test and compare notes again. Have your husband tested for your sanity. It helped me but now I am worried he will get it. See, it is so weird, I have had tears/cuts many times and been with him. Just can't figure it all out. I am taking the acyclovir faithfully in the meantime and crossing my fingers. Talk to you soon. Glad we are in touch. The support is a saving grace. Good luck, EB
I feel like I could say "ditto" to all your thoughts! I really can't remember when my cuts started either, but I often do feel like I'm not really convinced that it is Herpes...especially since I'm HSV-1 positive and my HSV-2 was in the range of being a false positive (according to the Dr forum). If it is, it is...but I have to say, I'm not totally convinced. After all, from everything I've read, nothing says a 6 week outbreak is normal, nor is a tear that heals sometimes overnight. In the past few days, I started using Aquaphor and it has really made a difference. I have one cut and its not even bothering me. I really think there's a good possibility that the dryness has caused the itching and the tears. I've noticed in the last few years that my vaginal area has become much drier...even in regards to sex. It takes a lot more fore-play to get her going and even when she does "get going" additional lube is often still needed. Hormonal changes perhaps?
In regards to your question about why I was tested...I had gone in for my annual and had a pretty bad cut. I explained to the NP at my GYN office that one military NP had suggested Herpes several years ago, but didn't send me for a blood test... wanted me to come in when I had a "fresh cut" so she could culture it. (Why she'd do a culture over a blood test, I'll never know). Anyway, when I tried to get back in, I was unable and did not have a direct number to her in order to override the "scheduling secretary" nor did I want to have to explain it to someone new. After that, I decided to go "out in town" for medical care. Since she suggested that, I've been apprehensive about having sex when I had a cut, which was often. (my poor husband) Not to mention, my overall psychological state was tainted!! When I explained this at my annual, she suggested getting a blood test as "blood tests don't lie" and "it would put my mind at ease". I'm not sure if she thought it might be herpes or not, but I know my GYN had seen one once and didn't seem the least bit concerned it was Herpes.
As for if I feel different since the diagnosis. Yes, in some ways. Its certainly on my mind a lot. The initial shock is over and I know life will go on, but yeah, I approach it differently now. I seem to be washing more carefully after getting the mirror out (hee hee), putting my towels in the hamper more often, etc. Kinda silly...after all, I've gone this long. Well, I'm off to the gym. (one of my goals since the diagnosis...to take care of me! :) Talk to you soon
In regards to your question about why I was tested...I had gone in for my annual and had a pretty bad cut. I explained to the NP at my GYN office that one military NP had suggested Herpes several years ago, but didn't send me for a blood test... wanted me to come in when I had a "fresh cut" so she could culture it. (Why she'd do a culture over a blood test, I'll never know). Anyway, when I tried to get back in, I was unable and did not have a direct number to her in order to override the "scheduling secretary" nor did I want to have to explain it to someone new. After that, I decided to go "out in town" for medical care. Since she suggested that, I've been apprehensive about having sex when I had a cut, which was often. (my poor husband) Not to mention, my overall psychological state was tainted!! When I explained this at my annual, she suggested getting a blood test as "blood tests don't lie" and "it would put my mind at ease". I'm not sure if she thought it might be herpes or not, but I know my GYN had seen one once and didn't seem the least bit concerned it was Herpes.
As for if I feel different since the diagnosis. Yes, in some ways. Its certainly on my mind a lot. The initial shock is over and I know life will go on, but yeah, I approach it differently now. I seem to be washing more carefully after getting the mirror out (hee hee), putting my towels in the hamper more often, etc. Kinda silly...after all, I've gone this long. Well, I'm off to the gym. (one of my goals since the diagnosis...to take care of me! :) Talk to you soon
I just got to thinking, why did you go get tested? Fed up like me with the cuts and irritations, some worse than others? Sometimes I wonder if we really have it with only cuts and irritations and all but then again, I say to myself whay the hell else would it be coming and going like this throughout the yrs. Ok, back atcha soon, eb
another thing I was wondering. I am wondering if sometimes it could be a full outbreak and others either a minor one or just some irritation for some reason. Do you ever get really swollen and itchy with or without tears one time and just a few tears and itching others? This stuff drives you nuts. Especially when you know you have it because it is like, is this an outbreak or dryness, when is the next one coming, should I not touch it now that I know what it is, etc. Just lying in bed trying to sleep off this stupid cold and laryngitis. I will check email off and on. Write whenever and maybe we can try to figure out a way to exchange real emails without exposing our identities over the forum. Look forward to hearing from you. Take care, EB
I know and the fact that we both have had these cuts forever and then ended up with our dreaded fear of actually having hsv 2, by the sounds of it after reading your story. It really does sound just like mine. my question is how did we ignore all of this for so many yrs? You were probably told, just like me by the docs and nurse practitioners, you are ok, just dry skin, no lesions, not herpes. I kindof knew it had to be cuz what else would be bugging me off and on like this. 42 is not necessarily a spring chicken but at the same time, I got tired of the menopause idea to explain away my symptoms yr after yr. Plus, looking back, I knew i had had it for over 15 yrs and I was much younger then. I really can't remember when I got it or when it started as I never remember the classic symptoms of fever, chills, lesions, pain, etc. etc. I am getting cold, cough and larygitis. Man, I took another shot of nyquil now. Was kindof worried for a while thinking darn if my throat hurts too much to take the acyclovir, am I going to get the tears starting and redness/swelling again?? So far, unless it is in my head the daily acyclovir seems to be working. I would recommend to you to go to planned parenthood. Then you can get your husband checked out and you can get the acyclovir for cheap. I know it is an individual thing as to which one works best for you but you may try the daily or twice daily I mean, acyclovir. I know Valtrex is more expensive although I don' t know what it costs. Do you feel different now that you have a diagnosis? Like, can't touch down there or at least without washing, is that burn herpes breakout? Why do i itch? It is like every little fricking thing you are wondering what the hell is it herpes? dryness? Ok, gotta roll for now. Just feel like ****. I will be in touch . Glad we met!! Take care and back atcha soon, EB
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
