Still awaiting proper confirmation, but...

[Osb_50678]

Hello All,

 

I'm a 27 year old American living abroad in Europe and am in the midst of what me and my obgyn believe is my primary herpes outbreak. 

 

My symptoms started as a very light sting during urination on Friday evening while out with a new guy I was dating. I wrote it off. We had just recently (within that past week) became intimate for the first time. That night, we returned back to my home and had sex again, quite rigorous I might add, and the next day I felt more pain with urination as well as some soreness. I figured it had to do with how rough and... ahem... how large he is. Also I have this predisposition to UTIs and yeast infections after sex so I figured it was no big deal and I would go to the doctor and have it fixed.

 

Well, I have a feeling you know the rest. It got worse, I did a visual inspection of the area, saw the sores (on top of this all I had just started my period) and my heart sank. I knew. It was pretty unmistakeable. That afternoon on a Tuesday my doctor took a look and also believes that it's without a doubt genital herpes. She took a culture, I'm currently awaiting the results and then I plan to follow this up with blood tests for other STD/Is as well as the specifics of what I currently have so I know exactly what I need to do.

 

I cried, legs in the stirrups, it was pretty awful and embarrassing. The doctor was maybe a tad dismissive about it, her words exactly when she saw my goodies were "Shit. That's herpes." So... Not fun. She didn't really give me any information, just some antivirals and cream and sent me on my way. 

 

The first day after I cried a lot. I met with a friend and he tried his best to make light of it. I called the guy who I believe may have given it to me and informed him and also asked him if he knew if he had anything. Of course he does not, except he's gotten cold sores before. Naturally. So I insisted he get tested and fill me in with the results. Aside from a few messages about his appointment I have not heard from him, shocking. Not really. 

 

I also have been in touch with a friend back home who has this as well. She's been very helpful and encouraging. My good friend here who also knows told me initially, "Herpes?! That's it?! You're fine, it'll be fine."

 

Honestly, days after, still awaiting my diagnosis, I've come to terms with it. This is really not the worst thing that can happen to me, and I've been through A LOT. So I'm doing my research and trying to keep it all in perspective. It really isn't the end of the world but lord does it hurt down there. It will pass soon I hope, it's Thursday here.

 

My only fear now is, when I get tested for all the other things, I really hope that this new "extra" is ALL that I came up with. I have had unprotected sex with boyfriends and maybe a few guys I've casually dated, so yeah. But I almost always use condoms. I'm really scared now. You never think it's going to happen to you right? Well, here we are.

 

If anyone has recommendations and easy-to-read information on the management of this, I would be so grateful. I want to protect any future partners as best as I can and I plan to disclose to any and all of them. They deserve to make the educated choice on this that wasn't given to me. I want to be honest and for them to know the possible risks.

 

I hope this community will help me become more knowledgeable on this topic and keep this as little of an inconvenience for me as humanly possible.

Edited September 17, 2015 by Osb_50678