I'm a little in shock to say the least. I've been with one person in my entire life (my current boyfriend) and just went to the gyno yesterday because I was having awful pain in my genital region. She said she was 90% sure I have genital herpes! I'm so confused as to how this can happen and more importantly, after educating myself since the diagnosis, I am shocked to realize how common this is and how easy it is to get.My biggest concern is giving herpes to those whom I love. I realize it is sexually transmitted, but I can't help but fear that there is that one small chance I could pass it on to my nephew, who is 14 months old. It's killing me to think about it. I feel very dirty and dissapointed in myself. There is such an awful stigma attached to the terms, "genital herpes". I went to the doc because I woke up Monday morning with this pain and just assumed it was from sex, which I had on Sunday. I also assumed the pain would lessen over the next few days. It didn't.I am taking Valtrex (sp?) And the pain has subsided greatly overnight. I'm still waiting on the bloodtest results and swab test, but since my condition has improved since I began the meds, I am convinced I have this.I'm wondering how I should feel and if my feelings will change over time. I guess I'm asking for feedback from people who also have genital herpes. How do you live with this and how does it affect your life? Do you take several precautions to not transmit the disease beside the obvious? (wearing a condom)Is it true that sex can bring about an outbreak? Any feedback is truly appreciated.Thanks so much.
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Shocker!
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hmm well, if you're only 90% sure, then it's possible that u don't have it, but...it might be a bit slim that you don't...How would you spread it to ur nephew? unless you have intercourse of any kind with him, i think he's safe. But you main concern should be, how you got it, if you didn't have it before your boyfriend then perhaps you should question his fidelity.
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sorry i don't have a lot of time to post. i've had gh for over 20 years. been married for almost 13 and we never use condoms and my husband shows no signs. although he could have it an just have no symptoms. we don't have sex if i feel it coming on. when i start feeling an outbreak coming (tingling and itching) i start with acyclovir (same as valtrex) and the outbreak never really happens. as to how you got it, your bf might have oral herpes and if he went down on you, you might actually have oral herpes (hsv1) down there. it's very common.the worst thing about having herpes is the stigma by society. the disease itself is usually no big deal, just people's reaction. but keep in mind that 1 in 5 people have genital herpes, and over time, 80 - 90% of people have oral herpes, which as mentioned can be spread to the genitals via oral sex. so you're definitely not alone.for the best site on the web, check out the link below. tons of info and a really great forum. herpes home page
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Well, the medicine has almost completely cured the outbreak. My boyfriend just got his test results back: negative. I don't understand how we can have a sexual relationship for the past 7 1/2 months and he doesn't have it and I do?? I've never had sex with anyone but him.The doctor said she was 90% sure it is herpes and I just called the office and the results are still not in. I have also looked thoroughly with a magnifying mirror and have never found any sores, chancres, lesions, nothing. Only thing I have seen is some redness, which I assumed was from vigorous sex I had the day before the outbreak came up. Nothing has crusted over and I feel nothing down there. For the experts out there, I am wondering if you know how long the incubation period for this is? Is it possible my BF has it and it just hasn't shown yet? Is it possible the doctor is wrong? I'm guessing she's right seeing as how she told me she diagnoses herpes about 8 times a week.What do you all think?123maggie?Thanks for your help!
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If he's the only person you've had sex with, I have no idea how you got it if his test came back negative... He had a blood test??? Do you know this for a fact??? You are more likely to pass herpes if there is a pending or current outbreak, but there are certain times that you can transmit herpes via asymptomatic viral shedding... I wouldn't take any diagnosis without a blood test. Everyone's outbreaks symptoms vary, some get huge, painful sores, some people just get red and irritated, some just get a little sore, or some people have just a little burning, tingling or itching, some people even feel nothing... That is a mystery... I would ask for a blood test, perferablly one that shows both strains, types 1 and 2, and ask that your boyfriend do the same. And I would ask him to see the results...
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Thanks boodiddle :wink:
He did have a blood test and got a call this morning saying everything was normal. This is very confusing to me. I also considered that if he requests a blood test for STDs, it is only going to test for Herpes type 2, because that is considered an STD, not type 1. I think I got it from oral sex when he had a canker (sp?) sore/cold sore. I am also wondering if he possibly has it but it is in it's incubation phase.
I trust my doc because the Valtrex has already completely cured this and how could that happen if it wasn't Herpes Type 2?
Thanks again for all your help!
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Oh, if they only tested him for type two, that makes sense. You can get type 1 (oral herpes) "down there." It's different than type two though. Obviously, you get it from oral sex... If someone has a cold sore, they can easily give you herpes in your genital area. However, I believe that the outbreaks don't reoccur the same way as type 2 does... I don't know a ton about having type one on your genitals, but I do know it's a little different than having "true" type 2 genital herpes. The doctor should be able to clarify for you when you get your results. Unfortunately, tons and tons (80-90%) of people get oral herpes... and have no idea that they can spread it to someone's genitals... Sorry, hon. Hang in there, there are lots of people to support you and answer your questions. As far as giving it to your nephew, or anyone else for that matter (with just day to day contact) that isn't going to happen. You can't even give HIV or AIDs through daily contact.
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i would post your questions over on the herpes home page forum - the one i linked above. every person there has either hsv1 or hsv2, and many have been around for years on that forum. lots of answers to be found there.