Buttercup

Thanks, @HikingGirl - that's kind of what I gathered. Just can't imagine doctors ordering something not FDA-approved, and not CDC recommended. Gosh, really crazy. Lesson learned to do your homework, and make sure your healthcare provider does too.

Hi everyone, I know this is debated to death, but I'm confusing about timing. Four weeks after possible exposure (to a male with no symptoms, we had sex 5 times without a condom), I got a full STD panel. I have had absolutely no symptoms, but because we didn't use a condom and that's very unlike me, I felt a little uncomfortable with the situation after we "fizzled out." He hadn't had an STD test in two years, which he acknowledged, but did not have any symptoms that he was concerned about. All my results came back negative, except an IGM HSV 1/2 test. HSV1 was negative, but HSV 2 came back positive with a titre of 1.4. After seven weeks total, I was tested again with IGM and IGG this time. The IGG was negative, both HSV1 and HSV2 below the <0.9. However, the IGM came back has HSV2 positive with a titre of 1.2 (IGM HSV1 remained negative). I gather that seven weeks only would yield about 75% accuracy, so curious about the likelihood IGM could produce TWO false positives, or if it's more likely that the IGM was a false negative, despite having absolutely zero symptoms and no real concern. Any thoughts or experiences like this? Thanks, WPK

Thanks for both those awesome replies. I think that point about "I simply decided I'm still me" is so important. I realize literally nothing in my life has changed - except perhaps a few awkward conversations here or there - yet, the time and energy I've devoted to thinking about this internally is staggering. And the reality is --- it's only because there is a stigma around it. I can't decide whether I'm more upset that I even know I have it, or that I'm frustrated it's a big deal socially to begin with. Probably both. I'm blown away by how disclosing HPV is rarely (if ever) a conversation and never considered truly taboo, yet it can cause cancer - while this funky skin thing, that has no material bearing on health, childbirth, and sexuality (with the exception of immunity compromised individuals) is such a big deal. The sheer number of people who have it, and those who don't know it, or don't think about cold sores as part of the herpes family, is almost laughable. Objectively, I know I haven't done anything "wrong" and that this doesn't have any weight in whether I'm a "good" person - but it sure does feel that way in a society where something so small is labeled like a big scarlet letter.

Full disclosure -- I'm that person who loves to organize things and considers myself a bit of a hypochondriac (all part of my quirky charm, people). I get my teeth cleaned twice a year, I go to the doctor annually, I eat good food, love yoga and lead a healthy, active lifestyle. Never smoked. Drink socially (because #wine). And I just found out I'm part of our little "club" after a routine blood test. Holy. Banans. First thought: WTF? Second thought: Naahhhhhhhh. We're talking pure denial here because I've never had an outbreak. Not one. And as a self-proclaimed hypochondriac: trust - I check. Not a pimple, not a rash, not a suspicious spot. Nada. So here I am, a 31 year old woman who thinks life's been treating her pretty awesome ... but just found out her body has been keeping this huge secret from her. Suddenly, not feeling so awesome anymore. I won't lie. As one of the lucky asymtomatic ones, the temptation just to sweep this emotionally (and physically) under the rug is there. But that is fundamentally not who I am. I'm someone who has always prided myself on being compassionate, caring, open-minded, and a learner at heart. Anyone in the same boat here? What do you do when it just doesn't feel real ... even when you know it is?

Hi! I'm a 31 year old female living in South Florida / Miami who recently joined the "H Club." Am I crazy to have thought things like this just don't happen to people like me? Comic humor (and humility) right there! Would love an HBuddy in the area. I'm a yoga junkie, love great wine, being outside, and anything with my pup. Looking forward to meeting you too.