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Not yet diagnosed, but extremely scared :(


cas3883

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I'm really freaking out. I had a sexual encounter with a man I know has HSV-2. Now, I truly believe I have it also. I don't have any sores, but I itch like crazy down there. It has been 16 days since we had contact. After reading signs and symptoms of the virus, I feel like I have pain in my lower back and tingling in my armpits. I don't have any pain or trouble urinating, it just itches so bad. I'm really scared. I'm going through a divorce and now I feel like no one would ever want me again. I don't know what to do.

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That's tough cas. Obviously the itching COULD be caused by HSV. It could be a number of other things too though. The best thing to do is to see a doctor asap and see what they say. I know that when I'm worried about a certain type of medical issue my mind can really start playing tricks on me, and even convince myself that I have something that I really don't! I hope for your sake that it's not HSV-2. Just know this though-even if it is the worst case scenario it's not the end of the world. It takes some getting used to. The first 6 months for me were really rough, and I felt trapped in a relationship with the girl that gave this to me. After a while though, I realized that I'm still the same person I was before H. I don't even really think about it anymore. I'm single, and loving life. Hopefully the doc says it's something else, but even if it is HSV it's not the end of the world.

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Thanks for the reply. I'm praying it's not what I think it is, but the guy has it. He is on suppressive meds and hasn't had an outbreak in 2 years, but i still think that's what it is. I don't know what to do :(

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Thanks for the reply. I'm praying it's not what I think it is, but the guy has it. He is on suppressive meds and hasn't had an outbreak in 2 years, but i still think that's what it is. I don't know what to do :(

What to do is go get tested. Get a swab and culture for herpes, as well as a Type Specific IgG-based Herpes Antibody test. Also, any other tests your doc thinks might apply.

Testing is the only way to put your mind at ease one way or the other. Otherwise, you are just sitting around worrying and coming up with all sorts of worst case scenarios. wantmylifeback87 is right, the mind can come up with all sorts of phantom sensations. Think about the fact that you didn't seem to notice the pain in your back and armpits until after you read that they might be symptoms of herpes.

The first few times I was intimate with my guy, who I knew has herpes, I felt tingly and itchy around my mouth as well. It was nothing but a fig newton of my imagination, as it turned out.

With that guy on suppressive meds, that lowers the chance of him shedding virus by about 50% to 80%. If you used a condom, that lowers the chances even more. The fact that he has very few outbreaks now, also means he doesn't shed as often.

Even with all that, there is a chance you acquired it, of course. But the only way to know for sure what is going on down there is to be seen by a medical professional who can run tests. You never know, it might be something else like chlamydia or an itchyitchyitchy yeast infection or...whatever. In any case, you should want to find out so you can deal with it.

Hope you get tested right away, and please drop in and let us know how it goes. :wavey:

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Thank you Realisticgal :D

The doctor wants me to wait before doing a blood test, since I don't have any sores or other symptoms. I did one of those over the counter yeast infection tests, and it came back positive for a yeast infection. It doesn't ease my mind though. I'm definitely still going to get tested.

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Cas did you guys use a condom? I feel your pain I was diagnosed on December 6th my daughters birthday, ugh. I am going throug a divorce as well and my husband gave it to me within the last 3 plus years I'm assuming because I was tested 6 years ago when I was pregnant and was negative then over 3 yrs ago I got a really tiny sore and didnt think mush of it cause I was married then since then I had maybe only a couple irritations but not much then when I was tested for every STD under the sun when I found out my husband had been cheating on me for years to my surprise I found out I had Herpes, pisses me off beyond belief so afraid of being alone I'm 38 and now have to deal with this on top of everything else. I hope guys wont run the other way when I tell them. I also wonder if I should start taking anything. I too think eating healthy and excercise as been the difference for me I workout at least 5 times a week and eat super healthy. Good luck Cas hopefully it's not what you think!!

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Thank you Realisticgal :D

The doctor wants me to wait before doing a blood test, since I don't have any sores or other symptoms. I did one of those over the counter yeast infection tests, and it came back positive for a yeast infection. It doesn't ease my mind though. I'm definitely still going to get tested.

But wait --- you said you do have symptoms.

And anyway, the point of the blood tests is that they can be used, and give accurate results, in the absence of symptoms. They are the only tests that can be used that way, for the most part, since antibodies are present even when there is no active outbreak.

Another good thing about testing with a blood test right away is it provides you with a baseline of your status now, right after the possible exposure, which can give you some idea of what your status was before you had sex with that guy.

I think you might want to consider seeing a different doc or going to a clinic where they specialize in STIs. Many regular docs are not at all up-to-speed on herpes testing. :rolleyes:

Good luck!

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Realistic Gal is correct-- insist on blood test-igg type specific. Like herpesselect. Better to do it now- so you know what your antibody level is. Then regret not doing it. If you test negative-- you will still want to retest in 3-4 months. New exposure takes that long to build up antibodies.

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Realisticgal-

I have a couple of symptoms, but no sores. I have severe itching and sometimes lower back pain. I don't know if it's in my head or not. I'm just freaking out. My sister keeps telling me that it could be a yeast infection. But I know that the symptoms are similar.

I think I will go back to the doctor to get the blood test. If it comes back negative, though, that doesn't necessarily mean I don't have it, right?

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Hey Cas,

Sounds like you are going for a difficult time. The important thing to remember is that itching and constitutional symptoms occur with the presence of lesions, blisters, etc (according to the literature - others may have different experiences). By themselves, itching and back pain mean pretty much nothing.

I've shared your experience in having to fight tooth and nail to get blood tests. If you are like 1/4 North Americans you may already have HSV-2. But, all told, 16 days after your exposure, a partner on suppressive meds and no lesions you probably did not contract HSV from this encounter.

And, you're right, a blood test right now would not be useful except as a baseline. Best to wait 12 to 16 weeks.

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As well, don't discount the advantage of having a partner who is aware of their outbreak pattern, and is currently on suppressive meds. I am not sure whether you guys used a condom or not, but even without a condom the chance of contracting HSV-2 during a single act of intercourse is very low (and even lower with no symptoms after 16 days).

Obviously, there are no guarantees and HSV is a tricky little virus. But, the odds seem to be on your side.

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And, you're right, a blood test right now would not be useful except as a baseline. Best to wait 12 to 16 weeks.

I believe a baseline test is always a good idea. JMO

So if you had not been tested prior to this possible exposure, I would recommend a Type Specific IgG-based Herpes Antibody test as soon as you can possibly get one.

Then I would suggest you wait at least 4 months from the exposure before testing again, unless you got lesions before that. If that happened, of course, you would want to get a swab/culture done immediately.

I base the 4 month recommendation on the advice of Terri Warren, RN/ANP, who owns the Westover Heights Clinic and is an acknowledged herpes simplex expert.

HTH :wavey:

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    • sgt98
      Hey @WilsoInAus ok thank you, I will do my best to move on and stop trawling forums haha. 
    • WilsoInAus
      Hey @sgt98 but there is no feasible infection or outbreak to suppress and antivirals do not suppress an initial outbreak in any event 
    • sgt98
      Thanks @WilsoInAus I understand apologies for this but the only other thing I am worried about is that I did take a course of Famvir on day 1 as I felt like I was having an outbreak of cold sores and am worried that has suppressed the initial outbreak genitally 
    • WilsoInAus
      Hi @sgt98 it is not feasible to obtain a HSV-2 infection from receiving oral sex - only HSV-1 is feasible but you've already got that and immunity from any further infection with HSV-1. You do not need any further tests for HSV. You're feeling regret, try to forgive yourself and calm down, let the rational take over. You know the answer here and it won't be long until you believe it too.
    • WilsoInAus
      Hi @NerdP423 and welcome to the website. You raise a lot of points and I think the best way to address your concerns is add some comments at each key point. I've copied your note again below and added these comments in square brackets. I appreciate any insight (even speculation) as to what has been going on with me. I'm a 37y/o M. I last was intimate with a new partner on 2/11/2022, and a few days later started having a huge amount of discomfort in my face. [The first thing that happens though is that herpes causes lesions or at least some skin based disruption. Other symptoms are then related to the actions of the immune system responding to the virus. Without lesions, it is highly questionable that the ailment is related to herpes, yet testing is useful if you have concerns as you have done so.] About a month after that [herpes causes issues within days, if the first 'symptoms' are a month later - its extremely unlikely they are related to herpes], significant discomfort downstairs, however every test I have ever taken for HSV 1 and 2 has been negative. Here are the details: Face: Previously, some significant tingling and itching on the right side of my mouth, lips and chin (still there, but milder) [herpes does not cause general tingling and itching, it can cause a reasonably concentrated feeling of itch/throb from which a herpes lesion appears within hours]. Occasional hot flashes near my right eye, cheek and ear [herpes does not do this, it may be a immune response to something, or stress]. Sometimes it will feel like the skin is crawling on the right side of my face [herpes does not cause a general crawling sensation]. Never seen anything that looked like a traditional cold sore [that's extremely telling, even people with associated atypical symptoms will have experienced herpes lesions]. Occasionally, the left side of my face will have a momentary feeling of skin crawling, but it's so mild that I am not really worried about it. Downstairs: Thankfully, most of these are now milder than they were before. Occasional momentary pinch of pain at the base of my genitals. [herpes does not cause a general pinch feeling.] Aching pain in my boxer area (groin, leg folds) [nor this] Occasional feeling of cold in my boxer area, butt, or lower back. ( also in my shins and occasionally even my arms) [nor this] On 4/30/2022, I had been in discomfort for almost two months. I scratched an itch, noticed it hurt, and then checked - I did have an open ulcer down there. Took myself to the ER to get swabbed, came back negative. [If this was a PCR then this will be very conclusive.] Practitioner said it may come back negative because it was already open. However the lab report noted that it definitely didn't look like what you'd expect a typical first herpes outbreak to look like [how would the lab know??]. All blood tests negative so far. I had two western blots, the second one was nine months after exposure. [Two negative Westernblots!!! Many that's real convincing]. All other swabs also negative. I went to urgent care, because I know the timeliness of when the Swab is taken matters. One time, a swab was not done, because practitioner said it was folliculitis and wouldn't swab it (It was at my belt line). [Belt line is highly unlikely to relate to herpes.]   A blood test revealed I had low-ish B12 (technically in range, but at the very low end, especially for a man of my size). I had a series of B12 injections, and I am taking a B12 supplement. I am not taking any lysine or arginine at the moment. I was taking the Arganine to see if I could induce an outbreak. [This is irrelevant, there is no known linkage between herpes outbreaks and arginine/lysine intake - its a myth - and B12 infers nothing.] I think what I am asking is - has anyone here ever repeatedly tested negative over and over again over long period of time, before getting a definitive answer, be a positive test, or something else? [The answer to this is: Extremely few people with a HSV-1 infection and even more rarely HSV-2 test repeatedly negative on Westernblot and actually carry the virus. Of the cases that I know of that had delayed detection by a swab and negative blood tests in the meantime (and that's only 3-4 cases), they had some form of lesions within days of infection but did not obtain a swab for various reasons and then obtained a positive swab of a subsequent lesion with the record being 11 months later. A couple of the cases did have some 'background' symptoms they thought might be related to herpes but that isn't ascertained and some did not have any unusual symptoms at all apart from the lesions. Hence as you did not have lesions around your mouth or lips within days of the last sexual encounter as is exceptionally common for a primary oral HSV-1 infection, that pretty much rules out herpes orally as it is. The fact that you had no genital symptoms for a month also rules out genital herpes. I am not aware of anyone at all who has genuinely gone on to test positive by swab or blood in your specific circumstances. There are hundreds if not more than a thousand experiences on this website alone that are similar to yours that are truly negative for herpes I'm one of them!]  
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