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What are chances I've contracted Herpes type2?
I have had unprotected sex with my girl friend 3-4 times over the last 3 months...she is 50 yrs. old, I am 59.
Last week she informed me that she has herpes2 but had not had a flare up in 2-3 years and takes the Valtrex (?) daily but now was having a spell and thought I should know. It had been about 4 weeks since our last activity.
I am absolutely devastated at the possibility that I may have contracted this disease. I have my biannual physical coming up in two weeks.
I guess I have two questions:
1. What are the chances that I've gotten it...there were no sores or indications that she had this.
2. Should I get tested during my physical and has there been ample time to detect this? First time was about 12 weeks ago, last time was about 3 weeks ago.
I am really stressing over this, and am appalled that she didn't advise me earlier.
Last week she informed me that she has herpes2 but had not had a flare up in 2-3 years and takes the Valtrex (?) daily but now was having a spell and thought I should know. It had been about 4 weeks since our last activity.
I am absolutely devastated at the possibility that I may have contracted this disease. I have my biannual physical coming up in two weeks.
I guess I have two questions:
1. What are the chances that I've gotten it...there were no sores or indications that she had this.
2. Should I get tested during my physical and has there been ample time to detect this? First time was about 12 weeks ago, last time was about 3 weeks ago.
I am really stressing over this, and am appalled that she didn't advise me earlier.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The odds of you having caught HSV-2 after 3-4 episodes of sex are very low. In couples in whom one person has HSV-2 and the other does not, who have unprotected sex 2-3 times for week, the average rate of transmission is around 5% per YEAR. So think how low it is for each episode of sex. Further, the risk is markedly reduced when the infected person is taking valtrex; and from what you say, apparently her current outbreak didn't happen at a time you had sex.
My other general comment is that you are overreacting. While nobody wants to get genital herpes, it's usually not such a big deal. If the relationship is important to you--and especially if it might become a long, committed one--it would be tragic if you let herpes stand in the way of it. Herpes just isn't that important. But if you're planning or expecting to be sexually active with other people, it indeed might be an inconvenience in dating--but not necessarily a killer (regardless of how much of a 'killer' you might be.) On top of all that, since a quarter of the population has HSV-2, you might already be infected and not know it--in which case there is no risk from exposures to a new infection.
So the direct answers are: 1) Since you haven't had symptoms, probably you have not been infected. Probably less than a 1% chance. 2) If you want to be tested for HSV-2, wait until 3 months after your last sex with your partner. If positive, though, you won't know whether you were infected recently or might have had it all along. But don't worry about it much in the meantime. Most likely you weren't infected.
And be understanding with your partner. She probably knows that at her age (and probable long duration of infection) and while taking valtrex, the chance she would infect you was small. Lots of people in her situation might wait for a relationship to mature a bit before disclosing her herpes. I don't agree that's not usually the best choice, but it's not necessarily a big deal. In any case, mellow out. It really isn't such a big deal, in my opinion.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
My other general comment is that you are overreacting. While nobody wants to get genital herpes, it's usually not such a big deal. If the relationship is important to you--and especially if it might become a long, committed one--it would be tragic if you let herpes stand in the way of it. Herpes just isn't that important. But if you're planning or expecting to be sexually active with other people, it indeed might be an inconvenience in dating--but not necessarily a killer (regardless of how much of a 'killer' you might be.) On top of all that, since a quarter of the population has HSV-2, you might already be infected and not know it--in which case there is no risk from exposures to a new infection.
So the direct answers are: 1) Since you haven't had symptoms, probably you have not been infected. Probably less than a 1% chance. 2) If you want to be tested for HSV-2, wait until 3 months after your last sex with your partner. If positive, though, you won't know whether you were infected recently or might have had it all along. But don't worry about it much in the meantime. Most likely you weren't infected.
And be understanding with your partner. She probably knows that at her age (and probable long duration of infection) and while taking valtrex, the chance she would infect you was small. Lots of people in her situation might wait for a relationship to mature a bit before disclosing her herpes. I don't agree that's not usually the best choice, but it's not necessarily a big deal. In any case, mellow out. It really isn't such a big deal, in my opinion.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
About 2 weeks before my period comes, I've been experiencing severe vaginal itching, mostly inside and a little bit outside. Been tested for all STD's and everything's negative. One physician assistant said I have cervicitis, which was treated for with antibiotics a couple months ago. The itching still comes back everytime, once a month just 2 weeks before my period, and lasts for 2 weeks up until I get my period. Anyone have any ideas what this could be? Is it genital herpes? I was tested for it in the past cause of a genital lesion I had, the nurses were positive it was herpes, but the viral culture came back negative. I understand that I can still have the herpes since it's a hard thing to grow in a culture, considering it's a virus. Anyone have any ideas or similar experiences? I'm really worried that I have HSV-2. I had the blood test for herpes done and it showed low levels of both HSV-1 and HSV-2; basically levels so low that neither are full blown. Even though they're low levels, is it possible that the virus is just in its dormant stage? My first outbreak was about a year ago. Please help with any info. I'd greatly appreciate it.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
ali-jay sounds obviously is a wise and knowledgeable person. I did not see her comments before my response above, but obviously we are very much on the same track.
But this is not the right place for ongoing dialog between you, including OOOMG. Feel free to take the discussion over to the patient-to-patient STD support forum.
But this is not the right place for ongoing dialog between you, including OOOMG. Feel free to take the discussion over to the patient-to-patient STD support forum.
Hi I was just wondering if it is possible to transmit herpes via sharing razors for pubic hair.
and .... can herpes spread to other parts or you body ex. chest face arms..
and .... can herpes spread to other parts or you body ex. chest face arms..
I agree with you totally. It's not the number of partners but sexual
selection and practice.
As far as Herpes is concerned, I have always thought we took a wrong
turn by "hawking" it as an STD. It could have been viewed as partly
genital depending on the type and the non-sexual ways of getting it
could have been stressed.
There's entirely too much "hanging scarlett H's" around people's
necks. If we didn't have these new on-patent serological tests anti-virals I wonder if it would be such a big deal.
No body ever considered it a problem, when I was growing up.
So what is the risk of male to female transmission?? As you got it in a single night if I am correct right?
Male to female transmission is slightly higher. However, the use of condoms, as well as suppressive medication, may significantly lower the risk.
I was simply unlucky : wrong place at the wrong time : )
I was simply unlucky : wrong place at the wrong time : )
I think I am in the same boat and really think that I have something nasty like herpes but only tested positive for hsv1 at 30 days. Median time for seroconversion for Herpeselect is 25 days so those tests should have been reliable. But will have to wait until 3 month interval for accurate results according to this doc on this website. I think my symptoms are too severe to be HSV 1 genital kind. Sorry I am OOOMG too.
way to go, babe
; ))
; ))
My humble apologies, doctor, for continuing to post in this thread ! I'm unable to resist reacting to flyboy's latest comments.
Of course, more should be done to make the general public aware of this taboo virus. It is, after all, frighteningly common. The big deal with herpes is not the disease itself, but rather the way people see it.
HSV is extremely common. How come noone from the celebrity world comes clean about their HSV status? How come oral herpes is socially acceptable, whereas genital herpes, in spite of how sex is portrayed in the media, is considered to be taboo ? Would a patient who contracted genital herpes by way of oral sex agree that oral herpes is not an STD ?
Lastly, with regards to promiscuity: I'm all for more promiscuity ! I much prefer sex to war, violence, abuse, - anyday ! What is the definition of promiscuity ? Having unprotected sex ? Having had more than ten, twenty, thirty partners ?
Herpes will only affect your life if you allow it to ! Is it worth making all this fuss over a common cold sore ?
: )
Of course, more should be done to make the general public aware of this taboo virus. It is, after all, frighteningly common. The big deal with herpes is not the disease itself, but rather the way people see it.
HSV is extremely common. How come noone from the celebrity world comes clean about their HSV status? How come oral herpes is socially acceptable, whereas genital herpes, in spite of how sex is portrayed in the media, is considered to be taboo ? Would a patient who contracted genital herpes by way of oral sex agree that oral herpes is not an STD ?
Lastly, with regards to promiscuity: I'm all for more promiscuity ! I much prefer sex to war, violence, abuse, - anyday ! What is the definition of promiscuity ? Having unprotected sex ? Having had more than ten, twenty, thirty partners ?
Herpes will only affect your life if you allow it to ! Is it worth making all this fuss over a common cold sore ?
: )
I thank you very much for taking your time on this holiday week-end to respond. I am in awe of your professionalism in dealing with so many of us whining people and could in no way control my impatience with some of the posts I've read. You sir, are a credit to your profession. This type of site has indeed replaced the long past "house call" in spades.
I am angered by the lack of public information on this type of disease prior to the aforementioned problem...awareness if you will...including my own ignorance. I know of no information taught in our local schools to advise our teens of the dangers of random sex acts they so freely engage in... not to mention promiscuous (sp?) adults.
I am angered by the lack of public information on this type of disease prior to the aforementioned problem...awareness if you will...including my own ignorance. I know of no information taught in our local schools to advise our teens of the dangers of random sex acts they so freely engage in... not to mention promiscuous (sp?) adults.
I take issue with your apparent judgment call about so-called promiscuous adults. Here's the reality: If you yourself had used condoms (do you consider yourself "promiscuous" for not using condoms?), you would have been protected not only from herpes but from a whole host of STDs, including HIV. As it is, you put yourself at risk for more than herpes by not using condoms. That behavior could be considered "irresponsible" or "promiscuous" by many folks.
A person can have many many sexual partners and never contract an STD because all of their sexual behaviors are either completely safe from the risk of contracting STDs, or they use condoms to minimize risks. A person could have only 1 or 2 sexual partners and contract STDs because they take no precautions and engage in higher-risk behaviors without those precautions.
I personally don't care how many partners somebody has. My bigger concern would be with the behaviors engaged in - not the people, not the number of partners - because it is the specific behaviors that put people at risk.
I realize that the word "promiscuous" has a specific definition, which is something about having many different partners indiscriminately. And this is why it has such a negative connotation in our culture. But I will continue to argue that many people practicing a typical "promiscuous" sexual lifestyle do not put themselves at risk because of the BEHAVIORS they are engaging in. I could have 20 different partners a day, and if all any of those men is doing is manually stimulating me, about the only thing I'm going to be at risk for is exhaustion!
BTW, I agree with you about the enormous service the doctor is doing here. What astonishes me is the use of stereotypical language and descriptors used by so many posters, such as "clean" for someone who doesn't have an STD or someone having had sex with someone who "is known to be a slut." It's patently offensive.
I will also add that I'm a woman in my 40s who has had genital herpes for almost 5 years, my current partner is 56 and is negative for herpes. I use suppressive medication and he is comfortable not using condoms, as he understands the low risk for acquiring it. He's also a physician, so he's well aware of how common herpes is.
Good luck to you. I hope you've been able to put herpes into better perspective. For myself, I'd rather have herpes than hypertension or diabetes. It really is a rather benign virus, with the worst part being the stigma surrounding it. And if you head into your 60s with your only "physical problem" being herpes, I'd say you've had a very fortunate life.
A person can have many many sexual partners and never contract an STD because all of their sexual behaviors are either completely safe from the risk of contracting STDs, or they use condoms to minimize risks. A person could have only 1 or 2 sexual partners and contract STDs because they take no precautions and engage in higher-risk behaviors without those precautions.
I personally don't care how many partners somebody has. My bigger concern would be with the behaviors engaged in - not the people, not the number of partners - because it is the specific behaviors that put people at risk.
I realize that the word "promiscuous" has a specific definition, which is something about having many different partners indiscriminately. And this is why it has such a negative connotation in our culture. But I will continue to argue that many people practicing a typical "promiscuous" sexual lifestyle do not put themselves at risk because of the BEHAVIORS they are engaging in. I could have 20 different partners a day, and if all any of those men is doing is manually stimulating me, about the only thing I'm going to be at risk for is exhaustion!
BTW, I agree with you about the enormous service the doctor is doing here. What astonishes me is the use of stereotypical language and descriptors used by so many posters, such as "clean" for someone who doesn't have an STD or someone having had sex with someone who "is known to be a slut." It's patently offensive.
I will also add that I'm a woman in my 40s who has had genital herpes for almost 5 years, my current partner is 56 and is negative for herpes. I use suppressive medication and he is comfortable not using condoms, as he understands the low risk for acquiring it. He's also a physician, so he's well aware of how common herpes is.
Good luck to you. I hope you've been able to put herpes into better perspective. For myself, I'd rather have herpes than hypertension or diabetes. It really is a rather benign virus, with the worst part being the stigma surrounding it. And if you head into your 60s with your only "physical problem" being herpes, I'd say you've had a very fortunate life.
Sounds like she put you in a tough situation. Since you haven't
had any clinical symptoms sounds like the worst you can expect
is seroconversion.
I'm 60, single, HSV-2 negative. I'm tried all potential sex-partners to have a HSV-2 HerpesSelect test before getting sexually involved.
I can only speak from my experience, but at our age most women have been married, divorced, and have had a number of sex partners. My experience is most of them are seropositive for HSV-2 (Remember the general demographics are up to a 25-30 per infection rate for white women and 50 per cent for African American women). Again after a couple of marriages and divorces, this rate is going to be much higher.
I've found you're not going to have much of a sex life worrying about serological testing for either yourself or future partners.
I know it goes against current dogma, but I would just move on. I would only be concerned about genital herpes if I had clinical symptoms, then I would have it swabbed and typed. Otherwise I think you and your future partners are going to end up on an emotional merry-go-round to no end (of course, if someone tells you they have clinical symptoms take precautions or don't have sex with them, but only 10-20 per cent of HSV-2 infected people have a history of clinical manifestations)
Sounds like you have a medical background, so I will share some other
thoughts. HSV may be somewhat of a friendly virus, and there are
alternate hypothesis concerning herpes infections (Focus on: herpes acquisition and transmission Journal of Drugs in Dermatology | Date: 5/1/2005 | Author: Burkhart, Craig G. ) Also I think you will find the
cancer research using modified HSV virus by Medigene AG interesting. You can go to their website.
Also I think you will find the debate about the use of PCR technology as
a surrogate marker for transmission in sub-clinical populations interesting.
(Is Viral shedding a Surrogate Marker for the Transmission of Genital Herpes?
Paul Griffiths, Herpes 11:3 2004 , Official Journal of IHMF)
The point I've trying to make, it there's a lot that's not understood about
Herpes transmission and there are different points of view in spite of what you read and hear. In addition, the existing research is not without reported
conflicts of interest.
In regards to HSV, you can read the following and find "conflict of Interest statements". (Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee (AVAC) Meeting Wednesday May 14, 2003 http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/03/transcripts/3950T2.htm;
Drug firm's cash sways debate over test for Pregnant Women Wednesday, December 13, 2006 By David Armstrong, The Wall Street Journal http://online.wsj.com/article/SB116596951975048320-search.html
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06347/745790-114.stm
Hope this helps bring this in perspective.
Hello.
I'm not a doctor, but I am an educated, 43-year-old, independant woman who suffers from both hsv-1 and hsv-2.
I have no other health problems. Oral hsv outbreaks punctuated my life during my twenties and thirties, and I contracted the genital variety following my divorce, eight months of abstinence, and one night of ( very exciting and fulfilling ) unprotected sex...
The fact that I already suffer from hsv-1 probably made my hsv-2 infection less dramatic. My genital infection was, indeed, so undramatic that my doctor misdiagnosed my condition, and two years went by during which I remained convinced that I did not have genital herpes.
The herpes virus affects a huge percentage of the population. How do you know that you do not already carry the virus ? -80 - 90% percent of carriers are unaware of their condition.
Before taking the moral high ground with your partner, have the decency to question your own behaviour: Did you question your partner's STD status before having unprocted sex ? Were you yourself aware of your own STD status before having unprotected sex? Is herpes ( - nothing more than a commmon cold sore ) a valid reason to forego a promising relationship?
- Surely, - life is too short... ?
I'm not a doctor, but I am an educated, 43-year-old, independant woman who suffers from both hsv-1 and hsv-2.
I have no other health problems. Oral hsv outbreaks punctuated my life during my twenties and thirties, and I contracted the genital variety following my divorce, eight months of abstinence, and one night of ( very exciting and fulfilling ) unprotected sex...
The fact that I already suffer from hsv-1 probably made my hsv-2 infection less dramatic. My genital infection was, indeed, so undramatic that my doctor misdiagnosed my condition, and two years went by during which I remained convinced that I did not have genital herpes.
The herpes virus affects a huge percentage of the population. How do you know that you do not already carry the virus ? -80 - 90% percent of carriers are unaware of their condition.
Before taking the moral high ground with your partner, have the decency to question your own behaviour: Did you question your partner's STD status before having unprocted sex ? Were you yourself aware of your own STD status before having unprotected sex? Is herpes ( - nothing more than a commmon cold sore ) a valid reason to forego a promising relationship?
- Surely, - life is too short... ?
Thank you for your input.
Unfortunately, type-specific HSV testing is not covered in the routine screenings you describe.
Only a type-specific herpes simplex IgG blood test can determine whether or not you have either type of the herpes virus ( = more that 50% of the population ). Antibodies may take time to develop, - usually two to three months.
The risk of female to male transmission is extremely low, - as little as 1-2%. This risk is probably lower as your partner is aware of her condition, is on supressive meds.
Best wishes.
Only a type-specific herpes simplex IgG blood test can determine whether or not you have either type of the herpes virus ( = more that 50% of the population ). Antibodies may take time to develop, - usually two to three months.
The risk of female to male transmission is extremely low, - as little as 1-2%. This risk is probably lower as your partner is aware of her condition, is on supressive meds.
Best wishes.
Well, I guess I don't know for certain because I've never had reason for testing. I've never had a cold sore in my life, I've had full blood tests for everything required in a full blown physical exam, (including HIV testing), every two years for the last twenty, two inguinal hernia surgeries, and extensive additional blood testing for Huntington's Chorea and several other witch hunt items...all negative. I have only had 4 sex partners in twenty-eight years...none of whom
has a problem until this latest. She said she thought she had mentioned the HSV2 early in the relationship...did I mention she is Bipolar? She did not, or I would have used protection. I was not informed.She has assurred me that there is very little chance I could become infected because she has had no outbreaks in two years or so until now...which came about 2 weeks or so after our last encounter, and takes her meds daily, increasing the amount to 5 pills during this outbreak which is pretty much over. What I have read is that I CAN be infected...which is the reason for this post...what are the chances?
And to answer your first question, yes, I asked if she had a recent physical exam for anything dangerous and was told that she has monthly exams for her bipolar and pace-maker conditions.
I have beaten high blood pressure and T2 diabetes...take no meds at all and would like to keep it that way. I was raised by my maternal grandfather most of my teenage life...Dr. James B. Mitchell, GP, developer of the first known anti-venom for blackwidow spider bites, and first director of Newton General Hospital. I am not a stranger to the medical community. Thank you for your response.
has a problem until this latest. She said she thought she had mentioned the HSV2 early in the relationship...did I mention she is Bipolar? She did not, or I would have used protection. I was not informed.She has assurred me that there is very little chance I could become infected because she has had no outbreaks in two years or so until now...which came about 2 weeks or so after our last encounter, and takes her meds daily, increasing the amount to 5 pills during this outbreak which is pretty much over. What I have read is that I CAN be infected...which is the reason for this post...what are the chances?
And to answer your first question, yes, I asked if she had a recent physical exam for anything dangerous and was told that she has monthly exams for her bipolar and pace-maker conditions.
I have beaten high blood pressure and T2 diabetes...take no meds at all and would like to keep it that way. I was raised by my maternal grandfather most of my teenage life...Dr. James B. Mitchell, GP, developer of the first known anti-venom for blackwidow spider bites, and first director of Newton General Hospital. I am not a stranger to the medical community. Thank you for your response.
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.
