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
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.
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.
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.