Seeker1960

Call and order the kit. Then when you get the kit you can go to an urgent care maybe and get the blood drawn. If you have trouble finding some to draw the blood I can send you to a place I know that will do it. You have to FedEx it with the bio hazard label and ice pack in the small box they give you in the kit. I am telling you that you do have it. You don't have any symptoms. So I can guarantee it will come back only with your HSV1. But it's your choice.

Here is the link to University of Washington Testing Lab. https://depts.washington.edu/herpes/pages/hsv_resources You have to find someone who will draw and spin the blood. I think there is some local regulation that prohibits it being done in NYC but I did it twice so go figure. It's more of some bureaucratic city regulation. I didn't test positive for either on the igg. Then I did the WB after like 4 months then I started testing positive for HSV1 on igg ever since. Negative for HSV2. You could get it mailed to CT. You can find out the charge when you call. Like $250 if I remember. Good luck.

I am not well versed on the tests other than they can vary for one reason or another. I don't think you need testing. Eventhough the person had HSV2 you had a condom on and she may not have been shedding. If she didn't have an active OB you're good. The main thing is you don't have any symptoms. You can contact the University of Washington and they will send you a kit to mail your blood sample in with an ice pack The person I got GHSV1 had both HSV1 & 2 and I only ended up with HSV 1. So it is not an automatic that you will get HSV2. I would be willing to bet my house that you are not infected with HSV2 but you need to do what you need to do.

Your probably right but I haven't heard of any male associate their symptoms with those things but loads of female say how their symptoms were triggered by their monthly cycle and older age into menopause.

One question, did the the person you had your encounter with have HSV2? If not forget about getting tested. You would of had some symptoms even very mild ones if you were infected. No symptoms at all and wearing a condom pretty much makes it zero chance you caught Herpes from that encounter. Don't waste your money on a WB it will be negative. Good luck and have the other person get tested before you have your next encounter.

I think it affects females more. As they enter the change of life into pre menopause. Many females have said their symptoms get worse around their period and as they have gotten older. For men I don't think the testosterone levels have the same effect.

Are you getting any symptoms? If so what are they? Testing in the absence of any symptoms is not going to be definitive. There can false positive tests I believe. I have GHSV1 and it took me over 4 months to test positive on the igg. I first tested positive via Western Blot

Hi @LosingHope Something like Pretlivir might be out by 2025. The others are probably going to be longer like 2030. Gene editing is promising but there are safety concerns that have to be worked out and that is going to take more than 2 years sorry to say. Rational Vaccines RVX201 has started human trials in the UK and they might be the first to market. Probably not in the US when it is first approved in the UK. You should still be young enough to take advantage of some of the new stuff. I would fly to the the UK for a jab if it proves effective. My symptoms are still hanging around but I'd the intensity is much less and frequency is somewhat less. I want to believe that the Red Ginseng Extract is helping tap down the viral activity. I do feel moderately better. Are your symptoms improving any? It does take time for our bodies to respond enough to suppressive the virus so just be patient.

Hey @Gemini 444 How are are you doing? Any improvements? I was thinking about that perhaps hormonal changes could have trigger your more frequent OB's. I hope you are hanging in there.

This virus affects everyone differently. Although we can experience some of the same symptoms the way our bodies respond is unpredictable. Some people don't hardly experience any symptoms and others experience more frequent and various symptoms. I had night sweats for a few days. I don't think yours will be forever but as your body adjusts to dealing with the virus it should dissipate. My symptomsnl come and go. One day I feel near normal then it raises it's ugly head and reminds me that it will always be in the background. I just hoping better options come out to treat and suppress the virus. I think I won't see a cure but I am hopeful that something better comes out.

I think it is good for you to get out. Lots to do in NYC. The reality is there is so much ignorance and stigma associated with HSV. Almost everyone has HSV1 orally which causes cold sores. HSV2 is almost identical to HSV1 but is associated with genital infection. I have genital HSV1 so even though it is acceptable to have cold sores on my mouth if I have the same below my waist I'm stigmatized. It is not really a rational conclusion and quite unfair. People are not educated on HSV in general including the medical community. There are very few Doctors that have gone beyond their meter understanding of the virus. Make some new friends, continue to go out. I know that you feel dead inside right now but I believe differently. You have to educate yourself about what HSV is and is not. It doesn't have to be what defines who you are as a person. I know you have these feelings about yourself as we all can struggle with. We have a virus. It is common and unfortunately we acquired it. You did nothing wrong to deserve it you were just unlucky and it was passed on to you. Yes it's for the rest of your life so you have to decide how are you going to handle this. It's not like cancer or aids or some other fatal condition. It can be managed most of the time. There are treatments on the horizon that should be more effective than what we have available right now. So let's say in 5 years or less RVX201 might be on the market. It is in human trials in the UK and on the fast track. There are other treatments like Pretlivir that also might be here in a couple of years and us in human trials. What I am saying is you have to have hope and not give up. While you are hoping you need to live and enjoy life. The museums, shows, ballet, concerts, walks in the parks. Love yourself and be good to yourself. You can still date. Chances are the person you're interested in has HSV1 already and is willing to become involved and accept the risk and take precautions like taking antivirals. He after all he could give you HSV1 kissing you and you probably never calculated that risk. If you are feeling depressed and anxious then get into therapy to help get yourself mentally and emotionally centered. De-stress yourself as stress is a trigger. Have some fun and find something to laugh about. Laughing is a great medicine for our soul. You are going to be happy! You are going to be a success story!

If that is your only symptom then it is highly likely unlikely that it is Herpes. Go see a dermatologist and swab those bumps if the rupture. Probably some other bacterial cause. Good luck

I suggest that you should get some therapy. Even people without HSV get depressed or anxious. HSV magnifies these issues so getting some help to deal with this is a good thing. You have a support group here too. People love you and need you. This virus doesn't make you less valuable as a person. There are a lot of people who have it so for you to find romance again is possible although a little complicated with disclosure. As you can read here many people are willing to accept the risk and willing to be with someone who they love and know that a virus doesn't define who they are You kids need and love you and you wouldn't want to leave them. You're going to survive and thrive. You'll grieve and experience a feeling of loss. In time you will rebuild your life and anyone who can't accept you they way you are without judgement can take a hike and not worth you time anyway. Stay in touch and know that I am rooting for you and here if you need encouragement and support.

I think the value of having a forum like this is so that we can see that there are others who are just like us. We can get encouragement and have hope that we can have a full and happy life. That we can learn to overcome the challenges of having this virus. We are going to be different but that it is not a life ending diagnosis. You are still the person that you were except you have been put in a situation that is going to cause you some physical, emotional issues. It forces you to grow and gird yourself for the battles. You can overcome this. Don't let this stupid virus dominate you. Don't let it rob you of your joy or your dreams.

Hi @Elise6 I am sorry for what your going through. I guess we all have experienced the same in greater and lesser degree. It is frustrating that the medical community almost ignores this virus and the effect that it has on our lives. They down play it as no big deal like you say but for us it is the realization that our physical being as we knew it is changed forever. You are so right that they do not address the mental and emotional trauma this has on us. They think it's just a skin condition. I try and take it on a day to day basis. I live my life as productively as possible. I have GHSV1 and I have never had a typical OB but I get itching and burning these days as a reminder that I have it. Do you know which type that you have? Your life is not over. The person inside you is still there but we have both been robbed of the normalcy and intimacy of relationships because we fear of passing this on to someone. We don't want to do what was done to us. I do think a sense of normalcy and intimacy can be recovered but it takes longer to get there and not everyone is willing to accept the risk especially since HSV affect everyone differently. The only people who understand the impact of this is people who have this. You will evolve an become stronger. The impact of this virus can be minimized bit unfortunately not eliminated. The good news is there are some things being worked on that may be significant in suppressing the virus coming in a few years. Let's hope sooner than later. I am in the NYC area, married male 62 feel free to message me if you want to. Michael

I think it's nothing to worry about. It will clear up on it's own.

@Grace78 I found it on Amazon. Look for Pocheon Korean Red Ginseng Extract. Get the Gold not the Royal as the Gold is more potent. It's not cheap but worth it if bit helps. It is a syrup with a consistency of molasses and I take it with some warm water with a little honey to cut the taste. Anything that tastes like that has to work 😆 Keep your spirits up and stay hopeful. I know it's not easy at times. I struggle myself but then I remind myself that it could be worse and that life is still meaningful and worth living. I'll let you know if the Red Ginseng is helping. Let me know if it works for you. I feel it will.

Hey I hope you take your time to adjust mentally, emotionally and physically. This affects everyone differently. Some get frequent OB's others don't have hardly any symptoms. The main issue is that we have the ability to pass this on to others and that affects the way we approach our current and future relationships. Just know that you are not alone and that you are not less of a person. Be good to yourself and I wish you all the best in the future.

Hey there @FriendsNeeded2023 I was in the Military myself so I understand your concerns. I wouldn't worry about disclosing to the Military Medical. They don't test for it and it really isn't their business. So many people have it and don't even know it. If you're not having an active outbreak you don't have to always take the antivirals if your body is suppressing the virus on its own. Do you know what type HSV you have? You can still be a leader and serve our country proudly. The only people you would need to disclose to are sexual partners. Stay strong and be the wonderful person that you still are. ❤️

I just started the Panax Ginseng extract tonight. Tastes horrible but I will find a way to mix it with some honey and water or tea. I read some encouraging things about its ability to suppress the virus. Your change in outbreak frequency could be related to some changes in your hormones. Maybe you can look into that area as well. I am sorry about your situation. I am sure you will get it back under control. You might have to switch antivirals. Pretlivir should be coming in the near future so that should help. Don't let this virus wear you down. Stay positive. Stress also is a trigger so look at managing that as well. Try the Ginseng extract and the Lion's mane maybe the Red Reishi mushroom too. Stay away from steroids as they weaken the immune system. Good luck, keep us posted. I'll be praying for you.

If that is the only symptom that you have then I think you don't have Herpes. You would have had other symptoms along with that if you were infected other that just a friction abrasion. You wouldn't test positive after a couple of weeks either. If she tested negative then there is a 99.% you don't have it. Good luck and be more careful. Get tests before for HSV1 & 2. Condoms don't give enough protection for Herpes. I got it with a condom on. Good luck.

Hi @Grace78 I was reading something about Ginseng Rg3 and how it increases the effectiveness of Valaclylovir and it seems to have properties that inhibit the HSV from replicating. I am going to start using it tomorrow.

My GHSV1 symptoms have fired up recently. Nerve pain, burning itching and other stuff. I don't take the antivirals but I am using Lion's Mane. I and adding Ginseng extract next week as I have read some positive information on its effect on HSV1 as a natural antiviral Anybody try this or something else that works for them?

I had night sweats for a couple of night if I remember correctly. I had electric shocks feeling throughout my body. I felt like I was vibrating. The HSV messes with you nerves and nervous system.

Unfortunately the medical community is relying is limited and outdated information concerning HSV. It was frustrating when I was trying to get answers. You can find more useful and valid information on these forums from people who have been dealing with this for many years. As for your outbreak, according to how quickly your immune system responds will determine the course and the frequency of them. Feeling normal as in pre infection is another issue. It's different for everyone so it will take awhile to see what your new normal is. I am very sorry about your situation. It is a lot to deal with physically and emotionally. You will get through this tough time and sort things out. You can seek counseling or spiritual support. You want to take care of yourself and get yourself in a good position to make any future decisions. I am not a counselor but I am here to offer any help to you that I can. You can message me also if you want to. Take care of yourself, get strong and do what is best for you right now.