Herpes?

[d3223]

I had a blood test about 10 years ago that showed I had HSV2 antibodies.  I had never had the major "initial outbreak" you read about, but had the test because a former partner told me he had herpes.  For years I never had any symptoms.  Over the past year, I occasionally (approx. every 3 months) get sometimes itchy, sometimes painful red bumps on my vagina (inner labia) or near my anus.  They is almost always only one bump - usually just red and slightly raised - but never as a blister or in clusters and there is never any opening of the bump or scabbing.  They last about 4-5 days and just disappear on their own.  Occasionally during the first couple of days, I have slight nerve pain down the back of my thigh.  The only change in the past year was that I began taking the birth control pill, Yaz.  Also, I am on 500mg of  Vatrex daily simply for the assistance in possibly spreading the virus to my partner.  But, it never seems to help with prevent or clear up these "episodes".  Are these herpes outbreaks or something else?  I have assumed they are herpes outbreaks and avoid all sexual contact, but am not positive.  Also, I have tried Lysine, Vitamin C and Zinc supplements as well as Vitamin E oil on the bumps.  None of which seem to make a difference.

[gracefromHHP]

1 - the most typical herpes ob's, aren't like what you read about - they tend to present quite mildly for most folks.  also as a fyi - scabbing of herpes lesions refers to the stages of healing, it won't look anything like a scab on a skinned knee.  

2 - personally at this point, I'd stop the valtrex and be seen every single time you have symptoms. Try to be seen within 48 hours of the appearance of symptoms for a lesion culture and typing of symptoms to confirm if they are indeed herpes related or not.

3- yaz isn't any worse for herpes than any other bc pill. Yaz does tend to  increase the odds of vaginitis though so definitely when you are seen by your obgyn, make sure they are testing you properly for yeast and bacterial infections vaginally.  

4 - no it does not. shedding remains pretty constant over time regardless of if you were infected 2 years or 20  years.

definitely try to get a copy of your test results but it's probably better to just repeat your herpes igg blood test and go from there.

grace

[d3223]

Thank you for your quick response!  I appreciate it so much.  It can be a scary, embarrassing topic.  I have made an appointment with my OBGYN next month to look into this further.  A few more questions:

1. Is it possible to have herpes outbreaks that are this atypical?  That don't break open or scab?  

2. If it IS herpes, why is it the Valtrex doesn't make much of a difference?  Should I talk to my doctor about increasing my dosage?  Or could I just be resistant to that particular drug?  

3. Also, I have read that Yaz is bad for herpes (among many other things) and could contribute to frequent OBs.  Do you know anything about this?

4. One final question regarding transmission ...if this IS herpes and I have actually had it for this long ...does the possibility of female to male transmission reduce over time (shedding reduced)?  My primary concern is not to infect my partner.  

[bobrope45]

Since you had a blood test 10 years ago, and since testing has changed since then (more accurate tests were developed), it would be best to get another blood work done, just to err on the side of caution. The fact you had a former partner with herpes certainly raises the odds that you indeed have it, but since you are in doubt, why not get another blood test, right?

Reccurrent red bumps in the genital area can certainly be herpes. But since it's not exactly a typical outbreak (blistery/open sore), it would be best to be seen by a doctor next time it appears. Ask them to swab it and type it, so you can learn what's going on. Let the doctor office know you'll need to be seen in a timely manner (not more than 48h after symptoms appear).

Valtrex (and other antivirals) is the only medicine effective for herpes. Taking it daily won't avoid outbreaks completely, but it should lower their frequency. If you plan to have the bump swabbed, it would be best to stop taking the Valtrex, as it might interfere with the results.

Let us know how it goes.