Hi everyone.
I’ve recently been diagnosed with HSV-2 and it’s been a hard time. I’m very thankful I’ve come across this forum which from what I’ve read so far is full of lovely and non-judgemental people who offer some excellent advice!
I’m wondering if anyone can relate to my worries/experience?
A bit of background, my boyfriend and I have been together since December last year, as far as we were concerned we were both STI and STD free, I had regular tests at my local GUM clinic and all bloods and swabs were continuously clear. They did however, only test for Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, Syphilis and HIV. Neither of us had ever experienced symptoms of HSV.
About a month and a half ago, we both had our first outbreak. Personally, I’ve never been through anything like it. I had flu symptoms, cold sweats, aches and pains. Down below I was in agony, couldn’t even lay down without being in pain. Unusual discharge which had a heavy flow. I went to the doctors thinking I had flu and maybe a bacterial infection, after being sent to the GUM clinic it was confirmed I had HSV-2, along with a bacterial infection. I got my anti-viral medication and antibiotics and after a couple weeks I was back to my old self. I then came down with a cold, and another outbreak where I got more anti-viral medication, I was so upset and ran-down I think this aided in the second outbreak occurring.
Fast forwarding to the past few days, I noticed and odd swollen section on my outer left labia, I put this down to an ingrown hair as this is quite common for me, however I’ve shaved today and noticed 3 little red spots which look like lesions, and I’m just so upset that in not even 2 months I’m on my third outbreak. Weirdly though, I didn’t feel this one coming on – there was no tingling or itching, I just came across it when I felt a slight soreness when wiping after a wee.
Please can somebody give me some reassuring news that they’ve been through something similar and it’s got better? Also, does anybody have any advice on being intimate with your partner with this kind of outbreak where the ulcers aren’t internal or around my vagina? I’ve done a whole load of research and understand that during an outbreak you are highly contagious, but is it that bad if both you and your partner are HSV-2+? Anyway?
Thank you in advance for any help or advice!