recurrent outbreaks

[skyhawk747]

I have had Genital herpes for about 4 years and often get outbreaks averaging once a month for the past 4 years. I had an HIV test 2 years ago and it was negative.

I have had 2 occasions of unprotected sex since and it seems since the past 3 months I am having a big outbreak then a week goes buy and then a smaller one (very minor) then another week then another even minor outbreak. Then 2-3 weeks goes past and then another big outbreak and the cycle starts again. At this rate I will average about 15-20 outbreaks a year.

Is this normal or is this a symptom of HIV?

[verytorn9]

Ok thanks !:)

[gracefromHHP]

ok so then it was ok.

really it's time to stop thinking herpes.

[verytorn9]

So all in all, I was taking valtrex for a while and then I stopped for 4 or 5 days, had an "issue," and got it cultured within 24 hours of it initiating. I wasn't taking any valtrex at the time, and hadn't for about 4 or 5 days. I was just wondering if thats enough time -- or if it was still in my system. It was a PCR culture

[verytorn9]

No, I was taking valtrex and stopped taking the valtrex 4 days prior to the culture...

So I wasn't actually taking valtrex at the time...

[gracefromHHP]

if you started valtrex and then had a lesion culture 4 days later, the lesion culture was invalid.

[verytorn9]

Thanks Grace! Just one question. Do you know how long it takes for Valtrex to fully leave your system? I know that if you take Valtrex when you get a PCR or culture done, it can make a false negative result. Is being off of it for 4 days enough time, or might that have confused the result?

[gracefromHHP]

I totally agree with what you were told in the dermatology forum - this isn't likely at all to be due to herpes. continue to follow up on this with your gyn and also a dermatologist both. They can work together to get a better idea of what is going on and how to treat it.  

I wouldn't bother with any more herpes testing either. You've covered those bases well at this point.

grace

[verytorn9]

Hi Grace,

I too seem to have recurrences once every 1-2 weeks. I have had negative tests, but my symptoms are exactly like herpes -- recurrent lesion in around the same spot on the same side that comes and goes every couple of weeks. The only other thing that made me think this wasn't herpes is that I read Dr. Hook and Hanfield say that herpes never recurs more often than once every 1-2 months. From what I'm reading here, this isn't true?

[skyhawk747]

copied off a health site

Chronic stage

A doctor may suspect HIV if symptoms persist or if a cause of the symptoms (such as the flu) cannot be identified. HIV may also be suspected when several of the following symptoms are present:

    * Confusion
    * Diarrhea or other bowel changes
    * Difficulty concentrating
    * Dry cough
    * Fatigue
    * Fever
    * Loss of appetite
    * Mouth sores
    * Nail changes
    * Night sweats
    * Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, and groin
    * Pain when swallowing
    * Personality changes

    * Repeated outbreaks of herpes simplex

    * Shortness of breath
    * Tingling, numbness, and weakness in the limbs
    * Unexplained weight loss
    * Yeast infection of the mouth (thrush)

[gracefromHHP]

DEFINITELY!!

Read the herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com first. It explains very nicely about herpes treatments. I can't believe no one has spoken to you about this yet!! You should give your doctor a good swift kick in the butt for not doing so!

grace

[skyhawk747]

Never knew about it - Should I speak with my Dr.?

Thanks for the help and info grace

[gracefromHHP]

eh?

was asking why you've never tried suppressive therapy? Do you know that it's an option and that it would significantly reduce the number of ob's you are having?

grace

[skyhawk747]

eh?

[gracefromHHP]

why not? do you like getting monthly ob's?

grace

[skyhawk747]

suppressive therapy? nope never taken anything :(

[gracefromHHP]

Yes indeed the average number of ob's is 4-6 a year. It can range anywhere from 0 to 24 a year though. I'm one of the unlucky suckers too - I used to get 20 ob's a year. Now 22 years later if I stop antivirals I"m down to 14 ob's a year - woohoo!!  Some of us are just gifted that way.  However on suppressive therapy - I only get 1 or 2 ob's a year.  

Are you on suppressive therapy? If so which one and at what dose.

And also keep in mind - just because you know you have herpes doesn't mean that everything in between your legs is due to herpes.  If you are on suppressive therapy now and still getting monthly ob's then you definitely need to march yourself to the dermatologist for a further work up.  Only a very small percentage of folks don't get signifcant relief while on antivirals suppressively.

grace

[skyhawk747]

Thanks for the comments all...

As far as I am concerned it is Herpes, Blistering on the penis, swab taken at STD clinic and told it was herpes! How can it be anything else?

[waringblender]

Herpes is not "linked" to the immune system. I'm not convinced what you are experiencing are even herpes outbreaks. Like slacker said, they don't have anything to do with HIV, either. Maybe it's time to get checked.

[slacker101]

Why in the world would you think this would be a symptom of HIV? Doesn't sound like HIV at all!! HIV symptoms don't come and go like herpes does..

[skyhawk747]

Hi grace, the result from swab culture

I was reading that Herpes is linked to the immune system and on average people may get 6 or so outbreaks a year. Well I am getting triple that although 12 of them or very small. So I am panicking I have HIV as that weakens the immune system.

Like I said I did have an HIV test 2 years back but have slept with 2 unprotected since and of course the other times have been with a condom

[gracefromHHP]

No reason to start suspecting you have hiv. Have you seen your provider for a full exam?
How did they originally diagnose you as having herpes?

grace