arisu

Hello, This is a great resource and I thank everyone for input and queries as reading the forums has already left me better informed and better equipped to dealing with Herpes. I have questions about my particular situation and also I would like to know references people have for transmission, although I did read some commentary which mentioned studies about transmission/ outbreaks and locations. Ultimately I realise I'm asking for advice on these forums and there is no guarantee but as new to this diagnosis, any further information really helps to relieve the stress. I was diagnosed about 2 months ago, my OB was labial and then after the pain, it also spread to the rectum, now I bleed when there is an OB. When I had my first OB did not take the medication regularly, until the results came back and at which point I completed the 10 day treatment, I had continuous symptoms and another GP said perhaps it could have been because I did not complete the full 10 days, although from these last months, I realise my period has been a trigger for an OB. So prior to my last 2 outbreaks (as they seem to be monthly, milder compared to the initial outbreak) I've started taking one 500mg vaclovir a day, last month, I started to take it a week before my expected menstruation date, but missed 2 days because I didn't have my vaclovir handy. I had itchiness but honestly, my labial area feels raw all the time. On the second night (not taking the vaclovir), I had intimate relations, he touched my clitoral area and slightly touched my labial area. There were genital secretions. I was quite wet as well but there wasn't any genital rubbing, maybe the thighs. My period started 3 days later and I had an outbreak on the rectum and I saw a painless white pus filled ulcer on the labia. Since then I have been taking the vaclovir daily, and at the end of my period, about 7 days later, I got intimate again except I wore underwear and never rubbed my genitals on him but did get close. My questions are about both incidents, from what I've read you're more contagious the first year, I'm trying to decipher the virus, it feels prodromal stage always, unlike the first OB which had clear itchiness like fleas, I now just feel raw and as if I have a yeast infection. It itches a bit before my menstruation, but I usually have vaginal discharge before my period. strangely I've noticed this vaginal discharge to be cloudier. Menstruation definitely irritates the vagina and seems to cause the OB, therefore I guess the prodromal stage is still when I'm contagious as well, but how contagious? The first time (when he touched the clitoris) he didn't have cuts, microtears on the skin so could he have contracted HSV-2? The second time, he did grab my buttocks with his bare hand, but the crack and rectum was covered with underwear, what area is possibly contagious? From this forum people have written, a 1-2 inches radius from OB is where the virus could be present in the epithelial tissue, but could grabbing it with your hand lead to transmission, I didn't have an OB, but as described I was in the 5-10 day range of an OB. We weren't rubbing but my thighs did grip his legs (albeit I don't feel it got close to my genitals and I wore underwear). What is the likelihood of transmission? Just to clarify, we didn't have sex, we were kissing, hugging and I performed oral sex (I have hsv2 not hsv1). The first time he touched me, I was more worried because I had an outbreak 3 days later and read 3 days before an outbreak is when you are very contagious. However I'm also worried about the second time because I read here that you should wait 10 days after an outbreak to have any sexual exchange. My questions are: 1-How/when is taking the vaclovir effective, how many days before it can effectively reduce the risk of transmission? (reduce the viral load) 2-If I had an outbreak but three days earlier I was intimate with someone (again no sex), what is the chance of them contracting the virus? 3-If I was on vaclovir for 7 days, had an outbreak 7 days earlier, was wearing underwear, no sex, but hands on buttocks, thighs but no genital to genital region rubbing/grinding what are the chances of transmission? How to get tested? He has no signs from the first encounter and it's been 12 days, therefore it would be another 12 days of no symptoms for increased possibility that he did not contract it. Although I know, it's quite likely to be exposed to the virus, contract it and never show symptoms. What test should he do? I've read after 12 days you can do a test even if there are no active sores, so he will need to get swabbed? I'm in Europe and would like to provide the person with enough information about which test he should get. From my reading an IgG antibodies test is the best option now. Is that correct? After I did my swab test, I did blood tests for all stds and it showed negative HSV 2, obviously since I had recently been exposed and my body had not produced antibodies. Thanks in advance, the testing is the most important but I'm also very worried about transmission but must know the % of risk in all circumstances to be prepared and properly informed.