mr_hopp

First off, it sounds like you and your partner are being really responsible about sexual health, which is fantastic. Regular testing and practicing safe sex are key. Now, about the recent outbreak and the sexual activities you had around that time: When you had the outbreak, it's generally a good idea to avoid direct skin-to-skin contact with the affected area. Using protection like dental dams is a smart move. However, even with that, it's important to be cautious. The situation you described with the dry humping and her touching you afterward might carry a small risk, especially if there was any direct contact with the outbreak area, but it would involve virus from your outbreak somehow making its way into a small cut/opening in her hand. Good news is the virus doesn't prefer to be on the hands, hence why the vast majority of outbreaks are mouth/genitals. As for giving her oral during an outbreak, you should be fine on that front. Genital herpes and oral herpes are in two different systems in the body. When you have genital herpes, the virus hangs out at the base of your spine until it wakes up to travel through your nerves to the surface of your skin. And if you have oral herpes (which it sounds like you haven't ever had cold sores or oral outbreaks?) then the virus stays at the top of your spine until it wakes up to travel to the surface of your skin to cause an oral outbreak. So if you're just having a genital outbreak, it doesn't necessarily mean that you'll also have an oral outbreak. Now, even if you've never had an oral outbreak that you're aware of, you can still be silently shedding 9-18% of the days of the year, so you could transmit oral herpes asymptomatically, but that risk isn't influenced up or down with whether you're having a genital outbreak or not. Now, about her wanting to eat your butt while you're on an outbreak: Communication is key here. If you've never had outbreaks in that area and have no symptoms at the moment, the risk might be lower. However, it's important for both of you to discuss your comfort levels and make informed decisions together. Herpes transmission can occur even from areas that aren't showing symptoms, albeit it's less common. My only hesitation with that is even if you haven't had outbreaks in that area specifically, if the outbreak is so close to that area, there may be more virus being silently shed in surrounding areas during an outbreak, which might increase the risk. Remember, each situation is unique, and it's great that you're being proactive and seeking information. Stay informed, keep those conversations flowing, and take care of yourselves. Wishing you both a healthy and happy journey ahead!

Being grateful isn't just being grateful for the good things. When we go through painful events, we are immediately connected to everyone else who has gone through something similar. It's important to remember, especially in the dark times, that you are never alone, that someone understands, and that you can get through it.

The screening index result of <0.90 is considered negative, and since the HSV-2 IgG screening assay was repeated on a different platform and also came back negative, the inhibition result couldn't be determined. This means that the second test did not detect any HSV-2 antibodies in your blood. Given these results, it's reasonable to consider the possibility that your initial LabCorp test was a false positive. It's essential to be cautious about interpreting low positive results, especially when they fall within the equivocal range. False positives can happen, and that's why confirmation tests like the Western Blot are so valuable for providing a definitive diagnosis. Regarding transmission from the one-time protected encounter, you are correct in saying that the risk is relatively low, especially with condom use. However, as you mentioned, the only way to know for sure is to get tested again after the appropriate waiting period, which is usually around 3-4 months for HSV-2 (and 2 months for the Western Blot). Since you haven't experienced any symptoms resembling an outbreak, that's a positive sign. But do keep in mind that not everyone with herpes experiences noticeable symptoms, so the absence of visible sores doesn't necessarily rule out infection. If you want to be absolutely sure about your HSV-2 status, wait for the appropriate time frame (3-4 months since your last potential exposure) and get tested again using the Western Blot test. This test is highly reliable and will provide a definitive answer. In the meantime, try not to stress too much about the situation. It's essential to take care of your mental well-being, and obsessing over the test results can add unnecessary anxiety.

It doesn’t look like a classic presentation , but as a general rule, we don’t want to be visually diagnosing since we aren't doctors and even if we were, it wouldn’t be definitive. Go to your doc, get it swabbed and have it PCR tested would be the best thing to do to be sure!

This is good data to know firsthand! Thanks for sharing. I’ll definitely pass this along to Terri and amend my comments about this accordingly!

I received this inspiring email today and thought I'd drop it here for anyone looking for success stories in herpes disclosure ... — — — Hi Adrial! I want to say how much I've enjoyed your videos. My husband passed away 2 1/2 years ago. I was married a little over 40 years and I've had herpes for that long, also. When I was ready to start up seeing new men and moving forward in my life, having to have the conversation was so overwhelming. I thought rejection would be everywhere and a huge part of how things would go. I met 4 men: one was a little serious, two were casual, and the other serious and still continues today. These have been the only men I shared my condition with and none of them rejected me. The thing that I thought would be the biggest turnoff seemed to have little to no affect on us. Videos like yours helped me navigate this time of needing to tell someone about me and find out about them. Thank you for spreading the word. Thank you for sharing yourself and your story. I can't tell you what a huge relief it's been to see and hear someone else discussing the issue of herpes. Thank you, again! Forever grateful

Yes! This is the attitude to have. The best way to get back is to create an amazing life and have this change you for the better. Rock on! We're going to have to change your screen name ... 😉

Assuming there is no active outbreak, of course, then we're talking about the risks of transmission from the herpes-positive partner's genitals to the herpes-negative partners's mouth via asymptomatic viral shedding. Whether it's a woman's mouth or a man's mouth who is doing the oral sexing, the rate of transmission to that mouth will be the same. The difference between sexes is in genital transmission rates, which lies in the fact that penises have less mucous membranes than vaginas, so women are ~2x as likely to get genital herpes than men — 15.9% of women have HSV-2 vs. 8.2% of men. [CDC] Back to the oral transmission rates ... specifically answering the first question (genital-to-oral transmission), there are different scenarios (see the free handouts for the % breakdown): If the partner has genital HSV-1: Genital HSV-1 only sheds 3-5% per year (vs. genital HSV-2 shedding 15-30% per year), so yes, genital HSV-1 can be transmitted to a partner's mouth, but interestingly you have about 3x more of a chance of transmitting oral HSV-1 through kissing than through oral sex. This is because oral HSV-1 sheds about 3x more (9-18% per year) than genital HSV-1 (again, 3-5%). So in other words, 2/3 of the world has HSV-1, so whenever people kiss, they are taking 3x more of a risk of getting oral HSV-1 (if they're the minority of 1/3 of the world who doesn't have HSV-1 yet) than if they were to go down on a partner who happens to have genital HSV-1. Food for thought. If the partner has genital HSV-2: Genital HSV-2 sheds more (9-18% per year) than genital HSV-1 (3-5%), however HSV-2 much prefers to stay below the belt than above. In fact, only 1-2% of all HSV-2 cases are oral. So it’s much more difficult to transmit herpes orally, even if the shedding rates are higher. Then for the other part of your question (oral-to-genital transmission), yes, this is common. In fact, of all new genital herpes cases, more than half of them are via oral sex! This happens mostly out of ignorance because people don't realize that those super common "cold sores" that most people get are actually oral HSV-1 and can be transmitted genitally and (*magically*) become genital herpes of the HSV-1 variety. Again, there is twice the risk of a herpes transmission to a vagina via oral sex than a penis because more mucous membrane. I hope this helps!

Hi H Oppers! A question I received via email that I'll share here just in case you've pondered the same thing: "What confuses me about herpes is the following: If a man performs oral sex on a woman who has genital herpes, can he contract oral herpes? If a woman has oral herpes and performs oral sex on a man, could she transmit genital herpes to him?"

I'm really sorry to hear that you're going through such a tough time, and I can't even imagine how challenging it must have been dealing with all of that. It's heartbreaking to see how people can betray our trust and share such personal information without any regard for the impact it can have on our lives. Feeling defeated and hopeless after facing such a betrayal is completely understandable. Trusting someone and then having that trust shattered can leave deep scars, and it's okay to vent and share your feelings here. You deserve to be treated with respect and kindness, and it's unfortunate that some people failed to see that. Starting over in a new place is certainly an option. It might provide an opportunity to surround yourself with new people who will genuinely support and uplift you. While trust may be hard to come by now, there are good people out there who will appreciate you for who you are, beyond any label. On another note, if you decide to stay and face these challenges head-on, there's an alternative perspective worth considering: Choosing to not be bothered by those people who would judge you for having such a common STD (2/3 of the world has HSV-1, 1/6 of the world has HSV-2). When you see those who would judge you without actually knowing you (based on hearsay), you can also look around to see those who will see you for who you actually are, gossip be damned! It can be an empowering thing to choose to accept yourself in the face of external ridicule, but to have all of that make you internally stronger and more resilient. Because you know who you are. They clearly don't. If all of what they judge you about is based on either complete unfair herpes stigma and/or an outright lie (that you didn't disclose to him before hooking up), then you know all of their judgments are based on a rickety premise at best. Surround yourself with people who truly know you and can mirror that back to you. As you might imagine, after putting my story out there, I've had my fair share of ridicule from people who don't know me other than "That herpes guy" ... and for the most part it's absolute projection, putting all the negative stigma onto me as some sort of representative of a virus that gets a bad rap. (But important to mention: I’ve received soooo much more connection and love than ridicule!) But one day, I had the chance to face the stigma directly, in an unlikely place (my best friend's fiancee). I tell that story here: https://www.herpesopportunity.com/post/herpes-stigma-how-to-become-bulletproof In the meantime, know that you have a community here that cares about your well-being and is ready to listen and offer support. Your mental health is essential, so don't hesitate to seek professional help if you need it. Remember, you are not defined by the actions of others, and you have the strength to overcome this challenging situation. Take things one step at a time, and be kind to yourself throughout this process. Sending you virtual hugs and support! 💕

I hear you. It is a confusing time for sure. Because I've always heard 3-4 months before getting the WB, perhaps you wait (which I know is the hardest part!) another month and get another WB. That's going to be your best bet for a definitive test result.

Yeah, other sources say 3-4 months, but if Terri says 3 months is enough time, then I'd believe her! Then I would definitely trust the results of your Western Blot. And I hear you that you're still at a loss as to what these fissures on your skin are, but WB is a definitive blood test when you've waited that long post-possible exposure. FYI, swabbing it will be difficult to get an accurate test because there is typically less fluid or discharge associated with cuts or fissures compared to blisters. Swab tests for herpes rely on collecting a sample of the fluid or discharge from an active lesion, as this is where the virus is most concentrated and easily detected. It doesn't mean to not try it if you can time your doctor's visit with seeing a new presentation, but even if you get a negative result from a swab PCR test, that wouldn't be definitive with fissure-like outbreaks. Sorry I couldn't give you a more helpful reply to get you answers you're needing, but I hope it gives you a few more datapoints to focus you into finding out what this actually is! Keep us posted, okay?

To piggyback off of what @My_dog_is_hungry said, if your goal is to never be exposed to HSV, then you have immediately dwindled down your dating pool to a very small minority of the entire world. Also, 80% of people who have herpes don't know they have it, so since she knows she is a carrier of HSV-1 (like 2/3 of the world), she is ironically probably more safe than someone who is ignorant of it.

Hi @Aihm1 — you say you've been getting these papercut-looking fissures for several months. When you got tested via the Western Blot, how long after you first started noticing these symptoms did you get tested? In order for the WB to pick up the antibodies (if you have them), they need 3-4 months to build up in the bloodstream to be detectable. IgG isn't super reliable, so that one 7 months in isn't definitive.

Hey @LovelyB91, I'm really sorry to hear that the suppressive therapy with Valtrex didn't go as expected. It must be so frustrating and disheartening, especially when you were trying to take extra precautions in your new relationship. You know, our bodies can be so unpredictable, and what works for one person might not work the same way for someone else. It might be worth reaching out to your healthcare provider to share your experience and explore other options (different dosage, or try different meds altogether such as Famvir or Acyclovir) that could work better for you. As for success stories with long-term relationships and herpes, I totally get why you'd want to hear some positive experiences. It's like a glimmer of hope in sometimes challenging times. @AnnieO shared her journey, and even though her situation might not mirror yours, it reminds us that there are various paths people take with relationships and herpes. There are plenty of success stories that can be found in this thread: https://forums.herpesopportunity.com/?forumId=9 ... and keep in mind there are plenty more where those came from. I have a success story to share since my wife and I have been married for 6 years now (together 8y). We've had our stuff, as all long term relationships do (especially with a kid involved), but none of our "stuff" has had anything to do with herpes. Actually, disclosing herpes was what brought us more closely together and created more trust in our relationship. You can hear our story about the herpes talk and our relationship since on this interview: https://www.herpesopportunity.com/post/vice-interview-with-me-and-my-wife Also, keep in mind that so many times people come to herpes support forums like these when they're going through the bad times, but then when they see success, they move on, so it can feel like a skewed storyline where you only see the bad reflected in support forums without them being balanced out by all the happy endings that are out there. Sending you loads of virtual support and the best of luck in your journey!

Good job doing it. I know that's not easy and you did the right thing to bring your integrity back online. At the very least, that is a win. Keep us posted, okay? Good luck!

Hey there @LostinHSVLand, First of all, no need to apologize for seeking support and understanding here. We're all in this together, and sharing our experiences can be truly helpful for others going through similar situations. So thank you for reaching out and being part of our supportive community. It's understandable that you freaked out when those cysts appeared after being with your new partner. Uncertainty and fear can certainly trigger emotional responses, and sometimes it's hard to keep a cool head in those moments. I've had my share of shameful outbursts that make me look like a prepubescent teenager all over again. 😅 I want to commend you for taking the initiative to have open and honest conversations with your partner and getting tested regularly as a precaution. Communication and mutual respect are crucial. Given your partner's positive HSV1 test and no history of genital symptoms, it's possible that the transmission occurred through oral sex, which can happen with HSV1. However, it's also essential to keep in mind that not all cases of HSV1 result in genital symptoms, and it's not uncommon for the virus to remain dormant without causing any noticeable outbreaks. She also may have already had HSV1 before you and just didn't test for it? Hard to say without full data. As you mentioned, the odds of transmission are relatively low, and you've taken steps to get tested. It's good to know that your test results have been negative, but remember that serological testing might not always detect recent infections immediately. Waiting for a few months and retesting to ensure a clear result is a reasonable approach to take. Regarding your former partner, it's commendable that you've apologized and acknowledged your emotional response. Learning and growing from our experiences is part of being human. As for what's next, take some time to reflect on what you want in your relationships. Do some inner searching. Do work on healing that anger inside. Remember that taking care of your emotional well-being is just as important as your physical health. Ultimately, the decision about pursuing new relationships is entirely up to you. If you decide to explore new connections, open and honest communication about your herpes status with potential partners is essential. Take things one step at a time, be kind to yourself, and know that you have a community here that understands and supports you. We're here for you whenever you need to talk or seek advice. Wishing you all the best on your journey of healing and growth!

Hey there, Ah, sometimes, things can escalate quickly, and it's easy to get carried away in the moment. It's totally normal to feel guilty about not disclosing your herpes status before becoming intimate, but hey, we all make mistakes, and it's okay to feel conflicted about how to handle the situation. What's most important now is how you can make it right. Both to him and to yourself. I can imagine that you may not have been actively thinking about herpes, especially since you haven't had any outbreaks in a while. But now that it has come up, it's important to address it. You know the value of honesty, and being open about your herpes status is vital for both your emotional well-being and your potential partner's informed consent. Let's turn the tables for a moment and imagine him having herpes and choosing not to disclose it to you. You would probably appreciate him being honest and upfront about it, right? True connections are built on honesty, trust, and mutual respect. While it might feel scary, facing the situation head-on is often the best approach. Ghosting him might feel like a way to avoid potential rejection, but it's not a healthy or fair solution for either of you. Communication is key in any relationship. Having an open and honest conversation with him about your herpes diagnosis can help build trust and respect between you two. If he truly cares about you, he'll likely appreciate your honesty and understanding. Remember, you deserve to be with someone who accepts and values you for who you are. Here's a whole slew of helpful resources on "the talk": https://www.herpesopportunity.com/tag/the-herpes-talk ... and download the free e-book and handouts here: https://www.herpesopportunity.com/lp/ebook Since you have genital HSV-1, it's important to know that it's very unlikely to pass it to partners genital-to-genital with no outbreak or symptoms. It has a super low asymptomatic viral shedding rate (see the handouts that come with the ebook above for more on that), and Terri Warren told me that in all her years consulting her herpes patients, she's never seen one case of genital-to-genital HSV-1 transmission. This is not to say to not disclose or now to avoid the conversation with him, but to help educate him on the low risk that it actually poses to him so he understands what he's getting into. When you're ready, take a deep breath, and have a calm and genuine conversation with him. Be prepared to answer any questions he might have, and reassure him that you take his feelings seriously. It takes courage to own up to your mistakes. And ironically, it may even be an opportunity to build even stronger trust since you know how it feels to not follow your strong integrity. You got this! Trust yourself and remember that you deserve love and respect. We're here to support you, so don't hesitate to reach out if you need more advice or just someone to talk to. Wishing you the best of luck!

My pleasure! I'm glad it was helpful. And yes, those do look like classic herpes outbreaks on your wrist. I'm glad you're going to a dermatologist to get more datapoints to work with. That's odd that the PCR tests came back negative. When done correctly (getting the fluid from an active blister or fissure, which is quite painful), then PCR test results tend to be very reliable. Perhaps there just wasn't enough on the swab to be detectable? Or perhaps you got swabbed when the outbreak was in its healing phase and there wasn't enough to get on the swab? And as far as your serum test (which I assume was an IgG test?), since it was 3 months ago that you were exposed, then that is still in the "gray area" where herpes antibodies might not be detectable in the blood. They give a wide window saying you need to wait 3-4 months before getting a more accurate blood test. So that part tracks — you may actually be HSV-2 positive as well, but the antibodies need more time to grow to detectable levels. To be certain you get the right data, I'd wait another month at least and then get a Western Blot, which is the gold standard in herpes blood tests and way more reliable than IgG tests. I hope the dermatologist visit brings more clarity, and in the meantime, know that we're here for you. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need support, have questions, or just want to share your experiences.

Hey there, I'm really sorry to hear that you're going through such a tough time with these outbreaks. It sounds like they've been lasting longer and showing up in different places each time, which must be really frustrating and concerning. About the hypothyroidism ... (First of all, I want to acknowledge that you're surely way more knowledgeable about this than I am!) Hypothyroidism can cause a disruption of the immune system, which could potentially lead to more outbreaks. There's a study that investigated the association between thyroid hormones in hypothyroid patients and the presence of the Herpes simplex virus (HSV). They found that hypothyroid patients had higher levels of both HSV and a protein called IL-23, which suggests possible immune system disturbances. And I hear you that the Synthroid has gotten your hypothyroidism under control, which in tandem should be bringing your immune system under control and helping to stave off herpes outbreaks, so who knows. There may even be a drug interaction between Synthroid and Valtrex, although drugs.com says there isn't one.) As you know, there's just so much to consider in the interplay between all this stuff. Now, let's talk about everything else you shared ... Dealing with herpes can be a rollercoaster of emotions, yes! And it's completely normal to feel fragile and overwhelmed at times, especially everything you've gone through in the past few months. We all have had our own flavor of those emotions, for sure! Just know that you're not alone in this journey of healing. I totally get why you might be worried about spreading it to your 5-year-old or experiencing triggers that lead to outbreaks, especially if it's on the parts of your body he might touch. It's natural to be cautious, especially when you're still figuring out how this virus affects you. And talking openly with your partner about your concerns can be a good step in finding ways to navigate intimacy together. You know, just to be sure, you might want to get some of these blisters swabbed and PCR tested to make absolutely sure they are herpes outbreaks? As for Valtrex not seeming to work as expected, keep communicating with your doc about your experiences. They can help you understand what might be going on and explore other options if necessary. Everyone's body is different, so what works for one person may not work the same way for another. Perhaps talk to your doc about switching to an alternative such as acyclovir, famciclovir, pritelivir and see how that goes? Coping with constant outbreaks can be overwhelming. And yes, for most people, outbreaks do become less frequent over time. (It also took me about a year before I was only having just a few outbreaks per year, although I wasn't having as many outbreaks as you're experiencing.) In the meantime, know that you have a community here that cares about your well-being and is ready to listen and support you. Take things one step at a time, be patient with yourself, and don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it. You're stronger than you may realize. Sending you virtual hugs and support!

Regarding the symptoms you've described, herpes can manifest differently for different people. While some may experience the classic sores and blisters, others might have milder symptoms or even no noticeable outbreaks at all. It's possible to be asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms, so your experience isn't unheard of. And Western Blot is the gold standard for herpes blood tests. I haven't heard of any false positives or negatives with WB. Now as far as if that rash is herpes, if it is, that would be a atypical presentation as far as I've seen. If I had to guess, that rash is something else and your herpes seems to be asymptomatic for now (20% of all herpes carriers are asymptomatic, FYI). The best way to get an answer as to whether that rash is specifically herpes is to get it swabbed. It sounds like the only area that was swabbed was your feet? If that was an outbreak, then swabbing it should pick up enough virus to be detectable on a PCR test. Perhaps reach out to our friend Terri Warren to see if she's seen anything like that?

Hey there, It's possible that the sensations you're feeling could be related to prodrome, those early warning signs before an outbreak. They can last for a few hours to a few days, but they don't always lead to an outbreak. In these prodrome-ish times, it's safe to assume that you are shedding more virus so take more precautions than you otherwise would. And for most people, those kinds of random burning sensations last for about a year or so, then they gradually subside as your body gets more of a handle on the virus and can suppress it more naturally. Easier said than done, but try not to worry too much, as stress and anxiety can sometimes exacerbate symptoms. Remember, you're not alone in this journey, and we're here to support you. Reach out anytime you need someone to talk to or if you have more questions. Hang in there!

Hey there, First of all, welcome to the community! It's great to have you here, though I wish it was under different circumstances. Dealing with a herpes diagnosis can be challenging, but you're definitely not alone, and we're here to support you. I totally get that the initial outbreak and the second one hitting you harder can feel like a rollercoaster of emotions. It's okay to have those moments of feeling sorry for yourself or regretful. The important thing is to allow yourself to process those feelings and know that it's completely natural to experience them. It's interesting how subsequent outbreaks are often said to be milder, but as with anything related to herpes, everyone's experience can be different. And it seems like the UTI might have played a role in this one being more severe. The combination of factors like the timing of starting antivirals and the UTI itself could have contributed to the intensity of this outbreak. I wouldn't put a ton of stock in only the first outbreak was supposed to be the worst. The first few can actually be pretty intense, but gradually over time, healthy immune systems tend to keep future outbreaks at bay. Just give it time. My first few were pretty bad, but they did keep getting easier and easier to manage. Fast forward to now and they're barely a blip on the radar. In the meantime, take it easy and give yourself some extra self-care. Healing physically and emotionally from an outbreak can take time, and it's essential to be gentle with yourself. Again, welcome to the community, and we're here to walk this journey with you. Take care, and hang in there! 😊

Hey there, I'm really sorry to hear what you've been through. It must have been incredibly tough dealing with this situation. It's totally normal to feel upset and scared right now. Anyone would be in your shoes. Since you're medically educated, you probably have a good grasp of the situation in your head, but emotions can still hit hard. Sometimes it can feel like an internal civil war between the logical mind and the feeling heart. And it can take some time before the heart can move through all these painful feelings and come out the other side ready to open up again. And it's great that you asked for suppressive therapy to take control of your health. Feeling scared to date again is totally normal. Trust was broken, and it takes time to feel safe again. When you're ready, take small steps back into the dating scene. You have the right to set whatever boundaries you need to feel safe and talk openly about your needs. And hey, finding someone who is also HSV-positive is absolutely NOT a necessity ... at all! In fact, I believe it's a way that we can pre-reject ourselves by self-segregating. (I wrote an article about it: "Does this mean herpes-only dating now?") It's all about choosing not to believe the BS that you are now some "diseased" person who isn't allowed to date "normal" people. Shake that off. It's not true. It just means you need to get good at disclosing from your heart and only disclosing to those who you trust with your vulnerability. There are soooo many caring and understanding people out there who will respect you and your journey, no matter what. There are just so many examples I've seen, not only in my own life, but in countless others. Also, an important caveat that you may have already heard about: Genital HSV-1 sheds so much less (3-5%/yr) than genital HSV-2 (15-30%/yr) — see more of this data in the free H Opp ebook/handouts. And interestingly, one of the top herpes researchers Terri Warren once told me she has never seen a case of genital HSV-1 getting passed to a partner via genital-to-genital sex. (In fact, around 50% of all new genital herpes cases are HSV-1 from oral sex.) So this becomes very important when it comes time to disclose to future partners, to put the risk level into perspective. Right now, take it easy and give yourself time to heal. Surround yourself with supportive friends, and if you need, talk to a professional who can help you navigate through this tough time. Remember, you're strong and resilient. Just by coming here and sharing your story you're showing your courage. Though it may feel tough now, with support and self-compassion, things can and will get better. We're here for you, and together, we'll get through this. Sending you virtual hugs and support. Take care!

Hey there, I'm sorry to hear about the challenges you've been facing with recurrent symptoms and negative test results. It can be incredibly frustrating when your experiences don't align with the test outcomes. I'm not a medical professional, but I can try to offer some insights and support. It's odd that the symptoms seem to be herpes, but you've continually gotten negative tests. A lot of herpes testing can sometimes yield false negatives, but Western Blot is the gold standard so I'm with Terri on trusting it, especially if you've gotten multiple WBs and swabs and they all say negative. In a situation like yours, it might be best to consult with an in-person healthcare professional who specializes in infectious diseases or sexual health. Have you done that yet? They can carefully evaluate your symptoms, medical history, and test results to provide a comprehensive assessment and potentially explore alternative explanations for your recurrent symptoms. In the meantime, managing stress, practicing self-care, and adopting a healthy lifestyle can potentially help alleviate some of the discomfort associated with your symptoms. Taking care of your overall well-being is crucial. I hope you find the answers and relief you're seeking. Keep pushing for answers, and know that you're not alone in your journey. Keep us updated on what you find!