Couple of Questions on things I am unclear about

[whatnow12]

Ok, I have been reading the posts I can find and still am not clear about based on what seems to be conflicting information.

1. We say you can have it for years and not know. Does that mean you have for years and also gotten the igG type specific tests over that time and they have been negative. Or, you have had it but neglected to get the igG type specific tests so did not know because of NO testing and NO OB.

2. Is there a way to determine if you have type 2 both genital and oral if you do not get sores on your mouth?

3. Some people are saying they always feel the tingling or itching, especially in the first year. How do you determine what is a constant "symptom" and what is a sign of OB to know when to stop having sex?

WhatNow12

[ScaryJimmy]

1. Even if you don't get physical symptoms, almost everyone will still test positive on an IgG (12-16 weeks after whatever exposure). As you said, a lot of people have no symptoms or don't recognize the symptoms, and thus never get tested.

2. There would be no way to determine that except by a swab of the area. But, the chances of you having HSV-2 genitally AND orally is about the same as being hit by an asteroid.

[Tiny]

Hi, whatnow12

1. I think in most cases when they say people have had it years and did not know is when no testing has been carried out. Or perhaps they have had OBs in childhood that they have forgotten about. I know my lover has tested HSV 1 positive on blood but has never had an OB. So I suppose if one happened in future he would have had it years with no symptoms. Generally though if you have a positive blood test with or without OBs you have herpes. If you have been tested then you would know!

2. No, the only way to determine where your sores are is to get a sore swabbed and typed. Generally if you have no OBs and are type 2 positive on a blood test they assume it is genital and likewise type 1 is oral. It really shouldn't make a difference where it is if you are sexually active both areas are likely to be involved and if you are not type 2 on the lips is seldom recurrent and very infrequently sheds so is harder to transmit through kissing that HSV 1.

3. Symptoms are different for different people, with things like tingling and itching you are lot more "aware" of the area so you may be noticing things that are normal daily itches and scratches. If you have herpes due to asymptomatic shedding you can be infectious at any time even in the absence of OBs. The best ways to decrease transmission are safe sex and suppressive meds (which are generally not a bad idea in the first year as that is when you shed most).

I hope that answers some of your questions.

Have you been recently diagnosed?