Kas27

Hi Jeff, If my major symptom is itching, and no pain, then I'm guessing if the initial outbreak were vaginal I would have assumed it was a bad yeast infection. I've had them ever since I was on antibiotics for a month in my early 20's for acne. That was my first "bad" yeast infection, and at the time, it seemed a normal result of a month of antibiotics (it still does). I got them pretty regularly after that, and sometimes they could be triggered by my period. I became allergic to all yeast infection meds, and so I use coconut oil, daily probiotics, and when needed, topical probiotics. This regimen usually clears my symptoms totally in 24-36 hours, which doesn't sound like HSV to me, but it sounds like there is a large range of variety of symptoms, from zero to severe. When I say there was no pain, I really mean it... which is why when she did the swab I wasn't at all worried it would be HSV (that plus the 20 year monogamy thing). As far as anal symptoms go, this may be TMI but the last time I had anal sex was 25 years ago, when I was 19. So this pretty much came out of nowhere this week for the first time. I also haven't had skin to skin pelvic contact with my husband (or obviously anyone else) this month, so there is no chance of new exposure right now. If initial outbreak happens after 2-20 days, then this isn't the initial outbreak. Is that always the case? 2-20 days? Also, i think I know the answer to this, but is there any other way to catch HSV2 other than direct sexual contact? If there isn't, and my husband comes back negative, then that really means I have been carrying this for 20+ years without transmitting it. Though we wouldn't know unless he was tested. He likely will want to be, just to know. HikingGirl, your story is so interesting to me, and similar to mine. Thank you so much. One question--what did you mean about swab test come back positive and blood test come back negative? When that happens, does it indicate it is the initial outbreak? If I have had this for many years, does it mean my numbers would be very high, or does it not work like that exactly? Thanks so much

After having anal itching that felt really extreme to me, for about 8 days, I went to the doctor. She said there were small blisters and she did a swab and it came back positive for HSV2. It seems to be going away now--total symptom time was less than 2 weeks and the major symptom was itching. Looking back over the years, I may have had a vaginal sore, always in the same place--but it always felt like it was part of a yeast infection to me. So I never questioned it. It was not painful, though thinking back, sometimes I did have an achy kind of odd pain. It was not severe though. If anything it was easily ignored. I treated for yeast, it was gone in a few days. So that's it for symptoms. I have been married for 18 years and with him for 21 and I never cheated. I simply value my marriage too much. Up until today, I never had reason to think he cheated either, and to be honest I have a hard time imagining it or believing it possible. There are and never have been any signs, and if this hadn't happened, it never would have crossed my mind. We have two children, 10 and 12. We have a great life. I can't imagine it getting better than this. I'm a pretty happy person. So this is Day knowing I have HSV2, and I'm thinking, maybe I've had this for 20+ years... before my husband I was quite sexually active and had about 20 partners. He had 2 prior to meeting me. So my questions... could I have had this for 20+ years and just be finding out about it now because of an odd outbreak? If my kids had it, would I know by now? They were both born vaginally. Is there any other way of catching this? Do my symptoms sound like an initial outbreak? Should my husband be tested, even if he has never had any symptoms? What vitamins can I take to minimize HSV outbreaks? Thanks for your help.