katef

Well, I'm simply much older than most of the people who have written here. Mine is a new case of herpes 1 and herpes 2 and am 53 years old. Living in the Philadelphia, PA area and many questions for anyone else in the area. My husband passed away 8 years ago and did not carry the viruses. Mine caught most likely from a less than honest individual on a dating site though we dated multiple years, am guessing I caught it in March of 2013 although it didn't show until recently when I was tested again prior to beginning another relationship in June of this year. Would really like to speak with someone who got it a bit later in life, how they kept from spreading it to others as I'm not the normal kind of person to have gotten this, yes, I know what is normal? I'm a chemical engineer with multiple degrees and the people I tend to know do not have the issue. Even the physics prof who issued it to me would not be one most would suspect of having it. The current BF has wished me well with it, though he does not want to continue under the present circumstances. Mentioned one study of blood clots in monkeys which would definitely not be for me, and he's an engineer with NASA and knows this information. So we're trying to part although it is difficult for both of us. I have no outbreaks on the face or elsewhere which makes knowing when or when not to play more than a bit difficult. So if any of you are older in this area, or not, I'd love to speak with you. Kate

Okay, thank you

Just a question as have not had any sort of reaction, but know I have both HSV1 and HSV2 since tested just prior to meeting someone at least for a month. Yes, no cold sores or genital issues. However, if by when was with the last BF, would be since March 2013. Was tested then too, but was negative for both. I'm just wondering if I would get a second from someone who already has it. Would that begin reactions? Read that it is rare, but nothing to explain the reactions. Thanks

No, they found nothing. The current BF wants us to get back together, so doing that even with a new set of rules. Much better than losing so many tears over him as heartbroken doesn't even begin to describe it. Still seems to be many questions in his mind and I'm getting the result that he simply wants to make me happy. Nothing wrong with that, just hope he is as much interested in us as I am. So will spend some time investigating this issue, find a better doctor in infectious disease and move on from there. Thank you very much for all of your answers!

Yes, 2% much better... but the next question deals with no outbreaks. What are the transmission rates for someone that recently was infected and hasn't had an outbreak yet? My last test was 15.3 so assume that means shedding? It's so hard when one has no symptoms of the virus. Even the gyno said nothing to suggest it, even scraped an area to make sure. And, do know that I'm in the first year of having it, both the Herpes 1 and 2.

Interesting, and thank you. I'll have to investigate the transmission rates, a chemical engineer, so just something we do. :-) If just 5%, then the meds would bring to 2% which is not that wonderful, but nice to know. Thank you very much, WCSDancer2010!

Thank you for the commentary. I know I had none of this in March of 2013, as tested after my 3 year relationship ended. Guess it may have been dormant for the time being. Never would have believed I had either of them and simply testing before beginning a new relationship. I'll read some more on the site. Don't really understand how I could avoid giving it to another even with the medication as the best I've read to this point is 50%. If you know differently, please share. I thought oral with him would be fine since the medication is the same for throat herpes. Not really into the barrier protection, so thinking for me it's just not possible. With sex, then I suppose condoms would be the only way of affording more protection to him. Certainly would never want to give this to another. The doctors have told me 80% with both the medications and condoms.

Well, guess this was a mistake to post here. So much for the questions, thanks in any case.

Okay, I've got both the HSV1 and HSV2 forms of herpes. My first thought, since tested in March 2013, was no way was this possible. So got retested, and guess it is. Not sure of what may have caused it as did have an old BF who is being as uncooperative as someone could be. And had a sternotomy to remove endocarditis in my heart in which many pints of blood were immersed into me upon having it. Yes, read that it is highly unlikely, but still have no clue so looking into the records of the hospital as well as asking the old BF about it. So now in a prison of sorts. I had a current BF whom ran the other direction when he heard that I had this. A long story on that one as he claimed to have loved me for over two and a half years, but I was seeing someone at the time. So he waited, and waited until we set a date to meet at my shore house for a week. I was more concerned about his welfare, so said I would test as well. His reputation a bit more scarred than mine. And, neither of us were expecting this result. Ugh. So now have a lifetime STD and don't really know what to do about it at this point. My first thoughts that I would be okay on my own, not young as I'm 53. Don't know about spreading the disease and I've not had a reaction to this date. Am extremely careful with my own body and know I've never had a sore on or near the mouth, and certainly nothing in the genital area. The numbers are high, so even with no reaction, have to assume this is a bad time for any sort of activity as they were 14.4 for the HSV2. Went to the gyno as well who saw nothing. Not very helpful nor was my doc. Was given a script for valtrex which is supposed to help. However, I've no clue as to how much as the most I've read about is 50%. And, without knowing when I'm having a reaction, it seems more than a little dangerous to be with someone who doesn't have the virus. Don't even know what being with someone who does would do? Would different strains cause more of a reaction? Guessing oral sex for me out of the question, and not sure about for him? Many, many questions to be answered. More than a little confused by all of this.