SPATX919

@anxiousanon I had my first test done through Quest labs. It was more expensive than my co-pay to my regular doctor would have been but it was convenient and they did a full screen no questions asked.

If it were me, I'd go back to the same clinic and ask for a full panel of STI tests because you are entering a new relationship and you want to know up front. Worrying about the results won't change them, it will only cause you undue stress. Did they try to take a swab of the sores on either visit? If it's only been a month since your possible exposure, you'll probably want to get another blood test in three months because it can take up to four months to register on a blood test.

Your symptoms do sound like HSV. If you can get in to see a doctor soon, see if they can swab a bump for testing. That will give you an answer sooner than waiting for another IgG. Sorry to hear! Keep checking this forum. It's been a great resource for me.

If you're going to continue a sexual relationship with him, telling him is the right thing to do. It's in his best interest to get tested whether you got it from him or not.

@Dave if it's not such a big deal then it shouldn't be a big deal to let someone know before exposing them. If you want to take down the stigma, you do so by bringing it out into the open. Not keeping it secret. Everyone reacts differently to the virus. What may seem like nothing to you can be very painful to someone else. I'm on daily anti-virals and still have an occasional outbreak. It's relatively mild for me but some people have such a harsh reaction they can't get out of bed for days or weeks at a time. Imagine blindsiding someone you care about with that.

All that being said, a part of me is really tempted to send my giver an official-looking letter by certified mail. Just to scare the piss out of him.

I was diagnosed by IgG blood test two months after the most recent sexual encounter and could have been infected up to six months prior to that. My doctor told me that I could be asymptomatic and never have an outbreak or it could be so mild I hadn't noticed. You should definitely get tested by blood test just to put your mind at ease.

It's not unusual for sex to trigger an outbreak, especially in your first few months. How soon after did you notice the sores? I had sex just after my first outbreak was gone and another one flared up a few days later. And another one flared up a few days after that one healed. The recurrent OBs were gone within 2-3 days with antivirals. After that, I've opted for suppressive therapy.

I think that's a decision for you to make based on your own values. I've had multiple people suggest I seek legal action against my giver because he admitted he knew and didn't disclose after I got my test results. I've chosen not to because I don't feel like it's going to solve anything for me. It's a tough case to prove since HSV isn't on the standard panel of tests and would be his word against mine as to whether or not he disclosed. I'm not vindictive in nature and decided it wasn't worth risking my integrity.

That doesn't make sense because you tend to see outbreaks in the area of contact, be it the mouth or genital region.

Yes, sex can trigger an outbreak. It did for me the first time I had sex since getting my diagnosis but I've since gone on suppressive therapy and sex hasn't triggered again.

Yours sounds pretty rough. My first one stuck around for a while (6 weeks) but it was rather mild in comparison. Try wearing loose fitting clothes to let it dry out. I hear a hairdryer on the cool setting helps too. I've also seen suggestions of making a paste of epsom salt and water to apply to the area. Get tested, both of you. And remember it could take up to 16 weeks for a blood test to come back positive. If you have HSV1 genitally, your partner could have had it orally for years. It would explain the transmission and support his claim of fidelity.

Yes, it's going to take time but it'll happen faster than you expect. This forum helped me quite a bit. Not only with information but to get some perspective on the virus. Just focus on what's good in your life for the time being. You still have that 4.0, the internship, the great group of friends. Try to find the upside of having the virus if that helps. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle (diet and exercise) is going to help prevent and lessen the severity of future outbreaks. And you also get to take your time and find a partner who is understanding. Be careful who you tell because you're right about guys your age, any age really. I'm almost twice your age and have only told a handful of people, including my doctors. Not even my best friend knows my status.

It's different for everyone. Did you have a blood test as well or have you been told which type? Has your partner been tested? I'd recommend you each have an IgG blood test to determine type and each other's status. It will be key to know if you need to take precautions during future sexual activity.

I got HSV2 from someone who knew and didn't disclose. The fact that he didn't deem me worthy of disclosure had way more of an emotional impact than getting the virus did. You can talk statistics all day long but at the end of the day, you know the risk you're taking and your partner doesn't. Withholding information is taking away your partner's choice. Transmitting the virus to me without disclosing has had a big emotional impact on him as well. He went into a deep depression and still hasn't recovered completely. By not disclosing, you're taking a gamble. And you have no idea what is actually at stake until you lose.

Do you know what type of blood test was done? Mine was IgG and was able to determine the type 1, 2 or both. My first test was just an 8 panel STD test so I was tested for both and got my lab results. My doctor re-tested and didn't share the numbers, just confirmed positive. Maybe get a test elsewhere again in a couple of months? Through a lab where they send you the results.

I was trying to tough it out and let my body build up an immunity. I wasn't taking pills 2x a day for the full time. I'd do a 3-day round and then stop for a few days. My first OB, while mild, lasted 6 weeks before it started getting better. And was back a few days later. Got better again, and was back again. So since I've had more OB days than not, I've decided on suppressive therapy at least for a few months. Remember that stress can be a trigger so try put your mind elsewhere. Read a book, find a television show to binge. You should also look into strengthening your immune system through diet and supplements (diet will be more effective than supplements) - look for foods rich in vitamin C and with a higher Lysine:Alkamine ratio - this is going to be your fresh vegetables and lean protein, fewer nuts and grains. I googled a lot of my foods before preparing them to check. Tea tree oil and coconut oil have been really effective topical treatments for me. Just make sure to dilute the tea tree with either water or a carrier oil (like coconut) - it's been more effective for me if I put 2-3 drops on a wet cotton square. And I've been using coconut oil all over my body as a moisturizer anyway. In the end, I think you're just going to have to give your body some time to get used to it. And give yourself some time to get over it. Be kind of your body and your soul. Do something nice to treat yourself. You'd be surprised how connected your physical and emotional health can be.

Yes, but there are variables that may not have been considered in that study that can increase the risk. For example, microabrasions on the skin from recent shaving or waxing would make you more susceptible if your partner has HSV and is shedding.

With antivirals OR condoms, it's 2% F to M, 4% M to F - but those in half if you use antirals AND condoms. According to a study done by Valtrex. This information is a few years old.

It sounds like you're depressed over your diagnosis @advice_seeker and understandably so. The trouble is, you're self-medicating for depression with a depressant and doing yourself my harm than good. Additionally, the alcohol is weakening your immune system and making it harder for your body to become acclimated to the virus. Stop drinking for a couple of weeks and see how it affects your outlook. If you have trouble not drinking, seek help for it. Otherwise, your depression is just going to snowball until you end up hurting yourself or others.

If it were me, I would disclose location if there's a chance of passing it along. Can you pass GHSV-1 to someone that already has OHSV-1? I haven't looked into that specifically but I think I saw that you can't. And if/when you do disclose, make sure you've got statistics about the rate of viral shedding and likelihood of passing F to M. If you have antivirals, I'd also be sure to be taking them when things get intimate, just to be safe.

@VP I'm experiencing similar symptoms for just over two months but I'm also taking antivirals when it gets particularly bad. They help but the mild skin irritation sticks around. I've found coconut oil and tea tree oil applied topically helps relieve some of the burning. I figured it just like @Pattym says and my body is still getting used to a new virus. So far it's been relatively mild in comparison to others so I'm not complaining.

Wow. look at you finding the opportunity in all this! Personally, I'm seeing it not only as a reason to keep my body healthy and my stress under control, but also a reason to pursue serious relationships rather than just flings. You'll get back out there when you're ready and you'll be a stronger woman now. Good news for you is that HSV1 is the more common virus and, from what I've read, not likely to spread genitally to someone else who already has HSV1. And doesn't shed as often.

Go get an IgG blood test. Your doctor can do it or you can find a lab specifically for STD testing. I googled and found an online service that used local lab facilities. It was very discreet and I had my results the next business day - only saw or spoke to anyone face to face while I was having the blood drawn. Antibodies take roughly 16 weeks to develop enough to test positive on IgG so if it's been 7 months since your last encounter and IgG is negative, you can put your mind at ease.

He deserves to know. I was on the other side of this and got the excuse that "it's a awkward conversation to have and then it was too late" - everyone is worthy of disclosure, even if it's after the fact. Arm yourself with facts and statistics when you tell him, but do tell him. You've put him at risk, even if it is very small. And could be putting others at risk too. Sorry to be blunt about it, but suck it up. If my guy hadn't been so cowardly about it, I might not be in the situation I am now.