paullpaul

Your outbreak could be herpes zoster or HSV. The only thing that herpes means is that the virus lives on the nerve root in a latency phase and then outbreaks periodically. Varicella zoster is colloquially known as chicken pox and herpes zoster is when the virus recurs and is known as shingles. Either can occur within the buttock region. The reason your doctor told you that it doesn't make a difference which one it is is because the treatment options are mostly the same so the course of treatment wouldn't change regardless of the outcome. However, WCSDancer is correct in that preventative measures could be used for your partner if you do in fact have HSV. In your case, I would recommend testing for HSV antibodies for both you and your partner. If the test returns negative for both, then HSV is pretty much ruled out as long as it is true that both parties have not participated in any extra-marital affairs. Either way, there are many treatment options that can be used to help treat the pain other than anti-viral medications. You can also receive a shingles vaccine which may help future outbreaks. In my opinion, your symptoms are more consistent with Herpes zoster and not HSV.

There's finally some exciting and positive news about HSV. As HSV makes its way the nervous system while evading an immune response for the most part (that's why it's able to hang around) it's become a prefect vector to deliver therapeutic options such as medicine directly to these nerves. This can help people who are suffering from different ailments, such as cancer pain. While that may not mean much for those who test positive for HSV right now, it may actually reduce the stigma in the long run.

The urethra can in fact become irritated. Gonorrhea is a very common cause of urethritis (irritated urethra) but HSV is a very common cause of NGU (non-gonococcal urethritis. Despite what you may read, sores are not found the majority of times with HSV induced NGU.

Fear not, if Type II is successfully treated/immunized, the same type of process will likely be used for go after Type I. Other viruses will then likely follow, perhaps even HIV. Type I is not being ignored, but because Type II is so much more stigmatized, there's most likely a better demand for it so it makes financial sense.

Thanks again for your insight. I wouldn't mind getting tested if what I heard in response in place of "I'll move on if you're positive" is "it'll be okay if you're positive because we'll find a way to work through it." Until I hear that I don't want to get tested for anyone, including myself. I do think my test will return H+ because I think I do have symptoms come to think of it. I've been noticing some itching in my groin but that would be it. I haven't really noticed anything else and I don't know if my itching is more than it's always been or if I'm just focusing more on it now that I'm concerned about having the H. It's not that severe or anything but it is there periodically.

Probably 5 years at a minimum. Phase 2 and 3 trials won't start till late this year and then bringing the drug to market can take time. However, the FDA may decide to streamline the process to help get it out earlier since the H is in epidemic proportions. Perhaps it will move quicker in other countries, such as Australia, and a quick trip there may allow for a quicker administration of the drug.

Are you saying that I shouldn't even disclose my exposure at this time? I'm not telling these girls that I have the H, I'm just saying that I was told that someone I slept with tested positive and I may have it.

Good news, I think a cure is not too far away in the future. Ian Frazer, the inventor of Gardasil is working on not only a vaccination, but also a cure. So far, his animal trials have proven 100% effective at immunizing AND curing in animal models. Even better news, the drug has also completed a Phase I clinical trial in humans proving safety. Only two more trial phases to go before commercialization can begin. Keeping fingers crossed!

Thank you for the responses. It was many exposures as we were a FWB for several weeks. It's been several months now but I'd really rather not know the answer. The first girl I was dating when the H girl told me. I hadn't yet slept with the girl I was dating but thought it was important to tell her that I was exposed. She told me to get tested but I refused because she said if I was positive she would move on. The same thing happened again with another girl about 3 months ago. She wanted both of us to get tested for everything before we slept together but again, she said if I was positive for H she would move on so I didn't. Maybe I need to approach this differently.

I'm really scared. I'm not sure if I have anything as I never had any symptom of Herpes but I know that most people don't. A girl I was with sexually told me that she was diagnosed with Herpes. I feel like my life is now over. I keep telling myself that it's not a big deal and it's just a social stigma and many people have it, etc but it's not working. I can't get over the stigma. I'm a professional in my 30s and I want to start a family. I feel like I've been relegated to a disease and everything I've worked for that women used to find attractive is now overshadowed by Herpes. It's already cost me two relationships with girls that I really liked. I don't know what to do and I kind of feel suicidal. I don't want to get tested because I don't want to know the results. Please help me find peace with this.