Hi, i'm new here and Merry Christmas

[Ronda]

i haven't been diagnosed with herpes yet but i truely think that what it is. It really seems like most of the symptoms-except swollen lymph nodes, flu-like symptoms, and burning when you pee-can you still have it without that?. Worst Christmas ever! I don't really know what to think but i'm still clinging to the hope that i don' t have it despite the visual and painful reminders. I made one mistake and now i'll have to deal with it the rest of my life! Anyway Merry Christmas. Hopefull this time next year i'll have accepted it and can feel like i can live again.

[AquariusAngel]

Hi Ronda, welcome and merry Christmas to you too =)

Are you planning on getting tested? This may not necessarily be herpes you are dealing with here. You will only know for sure if you get a blood test and/or a culture taken. Have you tried any medication yet and did it help?

[Ronda]

Hi

I did take a blood test which said i'm negative but it was only 12 days after i could have possibly been infected. I looked it up and it said that it can take a few months to show antibodies in the blood so i can't be sure now but i can't think of what else could cause the problems i've been experiencing since then. I've never experienced anything like this before. I went to my gynecologist as well and she said she didn't see any problems and didn't take a culture (don't really want that on my medical records anyway to raise my health insurance). I also read that it is often missed in an exam. I'm gonna take another blood test in another couple weeks and probably another at the 3-4 month mark if the second is negative just to be on the safe side. I ordered some medication too to see if that helps. I guess all i can do is wait and pray now until i can test again.

[AquariusAngel]

That's correct, it will be too early for antibodies to show up in a blood test. Therefore I agree with you about taking more blood tests shortly. How certain are you that you may have been at risk of transmission? Did your partner present with any symptoms?

[Ronda]

Hi

Well can't be certain didn't see anything visually but it was a very drunken night thing-which i have sworn off for good now after this craziness- but just think so because of the signs (i don't have all of them but still). Two days after I've had lots of pain in the area and see a small cluster of red bumps (although not blisters). I don't have swollen lymph nodes (does that always go along with that or just sometimes).

[AquariusAngel]

It would be good if you are able to contact him to ask but if you don't want to or can't, then you will have your answers soon enough. No, not every person will get swollen lymph nodes. Initial symptoms can also include muscle aches, fever, headaches, vaginal discharge, burning/tingling and painful urination.

[norcallove]

I didn't have swollen lymph nodes, burning when I peed, or flu like symptoms with my 1st OB. Actually, I didn't have any symptoms other than waking up to find two tiny bumps that 6 hours later looked like a small cut. While there are "typical" symptoms I think someone forgot to let HSV know what those symptoms are Basically, the symptoms vary from person to person. Plus, some people have a lot of the symptoms and it turns out not being H. So the only way to know for sure is with a culture and/or blood test. Sounds like you're doing the right thing by taking more blood tests in the future. Good luck