Aa
Recently Diagnosed with Herpes
I was just diagnosed on Monday with GH. I live with my bf who so far has not had a breakout. Of which, neither of us knew we, or just I, had this virus. Of course, with me being the one having the breakout, I am being blamed. Even though I havent been sexual with anyone else in the last 5 months. And he hasn't either. That I know of. I was having a breakout over the weekend, although I did not know at the time that I had GH. My bf and I had intercourse while I had the open sores the day before I found out what I had. I actually did a random STD check a month ago and came back clean. So here are my questions:
IF by chance I was the carrier and not him, what are the chances that he caught it when we had intercourse during my breakout?
If I had the virus a month ago when I was STD checked, would they have been able to see it?
I heard you can have the virus for years and never know it, but I keep reading that you can have a breakout within 2 weeks of being exposed. Is that true?
My bf has the HSV1. He gets a sore on his lip usually twice a year. Ive read that sometimes that can cause HSV2...how true is that?(he does not do oral sex so I am not sure if that could be what happened without his face touching 'down there')
Is SEVERE itching and discharge normal during an outbreak? How long does it last?
The doctor did NOT do any tests. He just went by what he saw on me. And diagnosed it as GH. I have all the sores, itching, d/c, etc. But is there a chance I could have something else? Maybe i am just in denial still.
My bf and I have been off and on for 3.5 years...but for the last 5 months neither of us have been with anyone else. Well, I know I haven't, and I really don't think he has been either, but with this happening it makes me wonder. I am still in shock! I have always been a "careful" person. Or I thought so anyways. I have only told one person(other than my bf) but I figured it would help to talk with people who have it too. Of course my bf is pointing fingers at me since I am the one having the breakout. I am just so confused and wonder how this could have happened if we havent been sexual with anyone else since we've been together. Thanks for the help
IF by chance I was the carrier and not him, what are the chances that he caught it when we had intercourse during my breakout?
If I had the virus a month ago when I was STD checked, would they have been able to see it?
I heard you can have the virus for years and never know it, but I keep reading that you can have a breakout within 2 weeks of being exposed. Is that true?
My bf has the HSV1. He gets a sore on his lip usually twice a year. Ive read that sometimes that can cause HSV2...how true is that?(he does not do oral sex so I am not sure if that could be what happened without his face touching 'down there')
Is SEVERE itching and discharge normal during an outbreak? How long does it last?
The doctor did NOT do any tests. He just went by what he saw on me. And diagnosed it as GH. I have all the sores, itching, d/c, etc. But is there a chance I could have something else? Maybe i am just in denial still.
My bf and I have been off and on for 3.5 years...but for the last 5 months neither of us have been with anyone else. Well, I know I haven't, and I really don't think he has been either, but with this happening it makes me wonder. I am still in shock! I have always been a "careful" person. Or I thought so anyways. I have only told one person(other than my bf) but I figured it would help to talk with people who have it too. Of course my bf is pointing fingers at me since I am the one having the breakout. I am just so confused and wonder how this could have happened if we havent been sexual with anyone else since we've been together. Thanks for the help
Hey grace when you slap him use the herpes handbook as well just maybe some osmosis will give him info. Haha :-)
want me to slap him upside the head a few times for ya? he he he
best of luck with your stubborn man!!!
best of luck with your stubborn man!!!
I wish it were that easy. He actually hasn't even been staying with me anymore since this all happened. The (awesome) nurse who did my testing said she would be more than happy to talk with him. I gave him her info...but he wont make the call. I know he will come around. I just dont know why he is being so stubborn at a time like this. I am just giving him time. That's really all I can do right now.
do you think taking him with you to the health department to let them speak to him would be helpful?
Thank you for the response. Actually today I am feeling some-what better in the anal area. It's not as uncomfortable today as it has been since it started. Thank goodness! I had my testing done last friday. At the health dept. here where I live. She got me in asap while my ob was still fresh. She swabbed many of the lesions(to try and get as much as she could) and also took 3 tubes of blood. And yes, this is a new infection for me. I should have my results in the next 2-3 days. By Friday at the latest.
As for my partner. This has put a lot of stress on our relationship. I can't get him to go get tested. We actually aren't on speaking terms because of this. His choice not mine. Even though this happened (possibly) because of our sexual encounter while he had an active cold sore...I am assuming in his mind he thinks that its just a case of what he had, its all me not him....things like that. But then again, I dont know for sure because like I said, he wont talk to me. I have left him msgs explaining to him how important him being tested is, but he just wont listen. Im sure he is in shock...I just wish he would understand how important this is. Thanks for everyone's help!
As for my partner. This has put a lot of stress on our relationship. I can't get him to go get tested. We actually aren't on speaking terms because of this. His choice not mine. Even though this happened (possibly) because of our sexual encounter while he had an active cold sore...I am assuming in his mind he thinks that its just a case of what he had, its all me not him....things like that. But then again, I dont know for sure because like I said, he wont talk to me. I have left him msgs explaining to him how important him being tested is, but he just wont listen. Im sure he is in shock...I just wish he would understand how important this is. Thanks for everyone's help!
you are already on acyclovir so regardless of if your lesions are still not scabbed or not, too late for accurate lesion cultures.
blood testing at this point for you may or may not give you the answers you are looking for. If they want to draw a herpes igm on you, don't let them! Your partner will also need herpes igg blood testing done too.
if this is a newly acquired infection for you, it can take a few weeks to fully run its course even with acyclovir. Not too surprising that things still don't feel quite "right" down yonder. Try simple things like ibuprofen as needed for pain relief ( and to decrease inflammation ), soaking in the bath tub with some epsom salts thrown in for relief as well as topical anesthetics like dermoplast spray ( the blue can for the genital area, not the red can ). You can also try using tucks pads as a compress in the anal area too to see if that helps. You stick the tucks in between your butt cheeks where it's bothering you and leave it there for 10 minutes ( and laugh at yourself walking around like a duck - the laughter is the most important part of it all....he he he ). Give it some time to get better - it will :) also if you know you are prone to hemorrhoids, make sure you are keeping regular and your stools soft so you don't add to that issue too.
grace
blood testing at this point for you may or may not give you the answers you are looking for. If they want to draw a herpes igm on you, don't let them! Your partner will also need herpes igg blood testing done too.
if this is a newly acquired infection for you, it can take a few weeks to fully run its course even with acyclovir. Not too surprising that things still don't feel quite "right" down yonder. Try simple things like ibuprofen as needed for pain relief ( and to decrease inflammation ), soaking in the bath tub with some epsom salts thrown in for relief as well as topical anesthetics like dermoplast spray ( the blue can for the genital area, not the red can ). You can also try using tucks pads as a compress in the anal area too to see if that helps. You stick the tucks in between your butt cheeks where it's bothering you and leave it there for 10 minutes ( and laugh at yourself walking around like a duck - the laughter is the most important part of it all....he he he ). Give it some time to get better - it will :) also if you know you are prone to hemorrhoids, make sure you are keeping regular and your stools soft so you don't add to that issue too.
grace
When my ob first started (over a week ago), it first start in my anal area. Of which is the whole reason I thought I was having a hemorrhoid. Within 2 days was having a full blown ob. As of today my ob has pretty much healed up. Everything is going back to and feeling normal again. Except for my anal area where it first began. Is this normal? I STILL feel like I have a hemorrhoid, only without having hemorrhoid symptoms. Its just an uncomfortable pain. I cannot stand for a long period of time without it hurting where I have to take a minute and sit down.
I will admit that I have been sitting a LOT more since all this has began, only because of the pain I was in with the ob. Is it possible that with my sitting that its keeping me from healing in my anus or is it something I might should have checked out? I am just starting to worry since I am not feeling a difference in that area like I have every where else.
I will admit that I have been sitting a LOT more since all this has began, only because of the pain I was in with the ob. Is it possible that with my sitting that its keeping me from healing in my anus or is it something I might should have checked out? I am just starting to worry since I am not feeling a difference in that area like I have every where else.
Tajah,
If the wounds have been open and on the skin for some time (48hrs or longer) there is a chance that the swab testing will come back negative if in fact it is herpes. Something to consider. I am glad you were able to get the information you needed. Please feel free to follow up with us :-).
If the wounds have been open and on the skin for some time (48hrs or longer) there is a chance that the swab testing will come back negative if in fact it is herpes. Something to consider. I am glad you were able to get the information you needed. Please feel free to follow up with us :-).
My lesions have not healed. They are still open. The swab is not the only test that will be done. They will be doing every test possible to find out which one I have. Swab, microscope, and blood tests. And yes I do know not to go by "visual examination", which is the whole reason I am going to get further testing. She did also explain to me that HSV1 will be there but she said the chances are slim to none that anyone has another breakout. She gave an example of a woman who has gone 13 years without having another HSV1 outbreak.
So thank you for your input but I was already informed of everything you had said.
So thank you for your input but I was already informed of everything you had said.
Some confusing information you have been given.
Swab won't work when dealing with a healing lesion. So no you can't get it tested now. Visual diagnosis is wrong at least 1/3 of the time for even the HSV experts.
HSV-1 can have reoccurances. It will be there for the rest of your life. While rare to have a reoccurance it can happen and you will still have viral shedding (although less when compared to hsv-2). You and your BF should be tested for HSV using a type specific igg test.
Swab won't work when dealing with a healing lesion. So no you can't get it tested now. Visual diagnosis is wrong at least 1/3 of the time for even the HSV experts.
HSV-1 can have reoccurances. It will be there for the rest of your life. While rare to have a reoccurance it can happen and you will still have viral shedding (although less when compared to hsv-2). You and your BF should be tested for HSV using a type specific igg test.
I just got off the phone with the Health Department where I live. The lady gave me some HOPE! I go in tomorrow to have some blood work done to find out if it is 1 or 2. She said that If it is HSV-1 then this will be the only outbreak I will have. She said it is very very very rare for a person to have more than one HSV1 outbreak on the genitals. Now, if it ends up being HSV2 then of course I will continue to carry it. So, prayers that this will end up being HSV1 and I never have to worry about this again! =)
I had gone to the ER and it was a doctor there who told me. All he did was looked at my sores and told me I had herpes. He said and I qoute "I am 99% sure that's what this is". So, its possible that this could be HSV-1 or HSV-2? Even though it is on the vaginal area? My blisters have not started to scab over yet, so could I still have a swab done? The pain and my movement is getting better. But my lesions are still open. I don't have insurance and every place I called wants anywhere from $110 to $240 up front for an office visit. Thats NOT including any lab work or any other work that needs to be done.
Unfortunately your provider totally dropped the ball by not doing any lesion cultures or testing on you :( That's totally inappropriate actually. at this point since your symptoms are starting to heal and you are on acyclovir, the best you can do is both you and your bf should specifically seek out herpes igg blood testing to see who has what and go from there.
you also can check your last std testing to see if herpes was included. typically herpes is not a part of routine std testing unless you specifically ask for it so you can't assume it was done then. Call where you were tested and ask.
No way to know if this is hsv1 or hsv2 without testing. assume nothing about this or about your bf's status. both of you follow up with proper testing and go from there.
grace
you also can check your last std testing to see if herpes was included. typically herpes is not a part of routine std testing unless you specifically ask for it so you can't assume it was done then. Call where you were tested and ask.
No way to know if this is hsv1 or hsv2 without testing. assume nothing about this or about your bf's status. both of you follow up with proper testing and go from there.
grace
Wow. Thanks again for all your help. This is all so new to me. I still have so much to learn, but this has definitely helped alot.
yes your doctors right your boyfriend will have HSV2 and it is very possible that he'll have an out break soon.
Thank you for all of your help. I am currently on Acyclovir 5 times a day. This is my 3rd day of being on it. I am finally starting feel a difference. I have been in non-stop pain. Urinating literally makes me cry. I can't move or hardly walk. But today I am getting around better. Your right, he should not be pointing the fingers at me. Which i do understand to a point. When they first told me I was having an outbreak, of course all I could was that he cheated. The doctor quickly calmed me down and I was able to think a little more clear. I know this could have gone either way. Either one of us could have been the carrier. One more thing that I am still unsure about. Ok, so he obviously has HSV1 because of his lip. And obviously I have the HSV2 because of my genital oubtreak. Does that mean He gave me the HSV1 and then when we had intercourse the other day during my outbreak, does that mean I gave him HSV2? The doctor said that for a fact my bf will have HSV2 because of the fact that we had intercourse while I was having an outbreak. I just want a second opinion. I can't help but at times blame myself. Even though i know I shouldn't.
I know there is really no way to know, but i dont guess it would hurt to ask. But is it possible that now he has been exposed to HSV2 that he could have an outbreak next?
I know there is really no way to know, but i dont guess it would hurt to ask. But is it possible that now he has been exposed to HSV2 that he could have an outbreak next?
That would sound about right and is unfortunate that i know but the same thing happened to me. Cold sores are a strain of the herpes virus, I grew up with them and I'm guess your boyfriend did too he should have know the risks and yes if you have an outbreak then he is very much a carrier and need to be checked out. You should keep clear next time your boyfriend has a cold sore to prevent future outbreaks, and I'm sorry because I know what your going through. I was told that they would go away in a week or so but there is medication to prevent future breakout too you probably want to check into that. (I also think that it was out of line for your boyfriend to point fingers. Like I said he should have know the risks about something he grew up with)
Yes, as a matter of fact he is just now getting over his sore on his lip. He has had it for a little over a week now. And yes, I did kiss him and yes we had intercourse while he had it. Oral sex is not something we usally do. He did oral on me ONE time after we met almost 4 years ago. He has not done it since.(not really his thing) I have done oral on him (rarely, but I do it on occassion). And if I remember correctly, I did give him oral after kissing him, then having intercourse. But this was just about a week prior to me having my outbreak.(of which I am still having right now) Could I have had this outbreak that soon? Me and him have been off and on for almost 4 years, but on for the last 5 months. So I have been exposed to his HSV1 for 4 years now.
One thing I am worried about, is, lets say I have been a HSV2 carrier for no telling how long. And since me and him had intercourse this past Sunday, while I was having an active breakout, how high are the chances that I passed it to him? And we did have intercourse the week leading up to my outbreak. So if he wasnt a HSV2 carrier, he would be now, right?
Im sorry if dont make sense. I am still in shock and so confused with all of this.
One thing I am worried about, is, lets say I have been a HSV2 carrier for no telling how long. And since me and him had intercourse this past Sunday, while I was having an active breakout, how high are the chances that I passed it to him? And we did have intercourse the week leading up to my outbreak. So if he wasnt a HSV2 carrier, he would be now, right?
Im sorry if dont make sense. I am still in shock and so confused with all of this.
The only way you could have contracted herpes is if you kissed him while having his sore then preforming oral then sex. you say he doesn't do oral on you and neither of you have had sex with anyone else for 5 months (at least you know you haven't) then this would be the only way that i can see that you've obtained them.
yes cold sores are type 1 but usually only form in or around your mouth. I too have them and have also just been diagnosed with herpes. Has your boyfriend recently had a cold sore? and if he has did you two have sexual intercourse while he had it.
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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.
