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Question about herpes
I had posted here about 8 months ago or so in regards to my hsv2 infection. A brief history: I guess I contacted hsv2 when I was 14 from a man who molested me. I was not tested then for any stds because I did not tell anyone what had happened. I never had any symptoms until I was 24. I never had any sexual contact with anyone besides that man and then I was married at 22. My husband does not have herpes confirmed with a herpeselect test. He was tested two months after I was diagnosed. He was also tested a year ago and still does not have the virus. He has been really wonderful about the whole thing. He is very supportive. I have some questions that I did not ask my doctor. I did not feel comfortable asking her because she says I must not be being honest about my sexual history and must have had an affair to get this, since I never had a breakout prior to my 20's. She says it would not stay dormant for so many years without some symptoms. My first break out was behind my knee on my right leg. I thought I had a really bad reaction to a bug bite and went to my doctor. I have never had a genital outbreak that I am aware of. The first breakout was very severe and I ran a temp with it and my lymph nodes were very tender and swollen. My questions are: 1. If I never have genital outbreaks can I pass this genitally to my husband?
2. Can I spread this to other parts of my body by drying with a towel for instance?
4. I have about two breakouts a year, should I be on medications?
5. I never had a blood test but the doctor did a scraping of the lesions and that was how I was diagnosed. Is there anything else like shingles that this could actually be a misdiagnosis?
I appreciate your time and apologize for the long post.
2. Can I spread this to other parts of my body by drying with a towel for instance?
4. I have about two breakouts a year, should I be on medications?
5. I never had a blood test but the doctor did a scraping of the lesions and that was how I was diagnosed. Is there anything else like shingles that this could actually be a misdiagnosis?
I appreciate your time and apologize for the long post.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Perhaps most important, in response to your last question: I am inclined to agree with the comment from t1234 (below), suggesting that you have s type-specific blood test. Most likely the isolation of HSV-2 from the lesion on your leg is an accurate result, but lab errors do occur. As I think I said in your thread several months ago, nongenital recurrences usually involve the anus, buttocks, and upper thighs. The knee certainly is possible, but sufficiently atypical that it seems wise to confirm your infection. On the other hand, you can be sure it isn't shingles, which would not recur more than once in someone who isn't chronically ill or overtly debilitated. The rest of this response assumez you indeed have recurrent HSV-2.
1) Most people with genital-area HSV-2 probably also have genital asymptomatic shedding. However, this has not been well studied; and most studies were in young women who mostly had been infected for only a few years. Almost no data on asymptomatic shedding are available in people infected for more than 10 years. To be safe, you should assume you likely have periods of asymptomatic shedding from the cervix, vagina or labia, but there is no way to know for sure. But it is a fair bet it is rare in your case; otherwise your husband likely would have been infected by now.
2) Auto-inoculation of HSV to another part of the body is fairly common during initial herpes, but it is almost unheard-of in recurrent disease. The immune system prevents transmission of infection to new body sites. Use common sense, in particular wash you hands after you touch your herpes lesion, especially before putting your hands to your eyes--but even that is low risk.
3) The decision to go onto therapy, whether episodic or suppressive, is a personal one. Most people don't feel the need to suppress outbreaks unless they are having several episodes a year, but others want to prevent even uncommon ones. Suppressive therapy might reduce the risk of transmission to your husband, but only if you are in fact having asymptomatic genital shedding.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
1) Most people with genital-area HSV-2 probably also have genital asymptomatic shedding. However, this has not been well studied; and most studies were in young women who mostly had been infected for only a few years. Almost no data on asymptomatic shedding are available in people infected for more than 10 years. To be safe, you should assume you likely have periods of asymptomatic shedding from the cervix, vagina or labia, but there is no way to know for sure. But it is a fair bet it is rare in your case; otherwise your husband likely would have been infected by now.
2) Auto-inoculation of HSV to another part of the body is fairly common during initial herpes, but it is almost unheard-of in recurrent disease. The immune system prevents transmission of infection to new body sites. Use common sense, in particular wash you hands after you touch your herpes lesion, especially before putting your hands to your eyes--but even that is low risk.
3) The decision to go onto therapy, whether episodic or suppressive, is a personal one. Most people don't feel the need to suppress outbreaks unless they are having several episodes a year, but others want to prevent even uncommon ones. Suppressive therapy might reduce the risk of transmission to your husband, but only if you are in fact having asymptomatic genital shedding.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Of course I'm not a doctor, but I think you should have
a HerpesSelect Test to make sure you actually have Herpes
and what type it is HSV1 or HSV2 or if your Doctor typed
it to make sure its right.
Also that seems like an unusual place to have it. It is
possible to get Herpes (though rare) from other means.
For example Westlers commonly get Herpes Gladitorum (mostly
HSV1 but could be HSV2) and healthcare workers get Herpes
Whitlow from careless contact with an ulcerated sore on
an infected person.
Could a person in your family have had Herpes Whitlow and
make contact with your leg when they had an outbreak on
their finger.
I know this goes "against the grain", but might be worth
thinking about.
But first I would get a blood test.
a HerpesSelect Test to make sure you actually have Herpes
and what type it is HSV1 or HSV2 or if your Doctor typed
it to make sure its right.
Also that seems like an unusual place to have it. It is
possible to get Herpes (though rare) from other means.
For example Westlers commonly get Herpes Gladitorum (mostly
HSV1 but could be HSV2) and healthcare workers get Herpes
Whitlow from careless contact with an ulcerated sore on
an infected person.
Could a person in your family have had Herpes Whitlow and
make contact with your leg when they had an outbreak on
their finger.
I know this goes "against the grain", but might be worth
thinking about.
But first I would get a blood test.
The doctor said it showed as hsv2 from the sample she scraped from the sore. I know it seems very strange and in the back of my mind I always have hoped that perhaps there was a mistake made. I do have recurrent breakouts though so it is probably correct.
Your Doctor is probably right; but considering your
sexual history, I'd still get a blood test (with a different Doctor) for a "second opinion." It can't hurt.
sexual history, I'd still get a blood test (with a different Doctor) for a "second opinion." It can't hurt.
I appreciate your thoughts. I think you are right and I will just ask to be tested with a blood draw. If nothing else it will put the issue to rest once and for all.
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
