Hi Mary ~

It is possible that both you OR even your husband could have had genital
herpes all along and didn't know it because you weren't getting signs or
symptoms before. 90% of folks that have genital herpes don't even know it
and that is one of the reasons. Another reason why people don't know it is
because herpes isn't included in the routine std testing process.

What I'm curious to know is if your doctor diagnosed you by site? Did the
doc go ahead and run tests for herpes even though it looked like herpes?

In any case ~ I've put together a ton of information about herpes. Feel free
to check out my site when you get a chance -- www.yoshi2me.com

Hang in there,

Angela ;-)

Hi Mary,

I'm so sorry!!  The last thing you need is this trauma to add to the others you
have experienced recently.  However, your marriage is not one of them. :)

First of all, you'd be surprised how many people have their first outbreaks
around their weddings!  I can remember reading quite a few notes like yours in
here over the last decade.

Just relax.

Herpes is one of those things where there just isn't any good answer.  There are
so many variables!!  The only thing you can know for sure right now is that you
have it and it doesn't go away.  That may sound horrible, but it's true.  So I
always feel that it's best to move on from that point.

In about four months, make an appointment with your doctor to have one of the
blood tests run.  There are a few available.  My personal favorite is the Herpes
Specific Western Blot.  It's a bit difficult to get sometimes, but worth it.
It's a good idea to get the blood test to back up the doctor's visual diagnosis.
It will also be good to know which type of herpes you have: type 1 or 2.  Many
people think that only type 2 infects the genital area, but that's not true.
Type 1 is very prevelant there as well.

Now, as to why you are getting this now...well, stress.  It weakens your immune
system and that allows the virus to hop on out of the nerve bundle it lives in
at the base of your spine, head up the nerve to the skin, and create an outbeak.
It could have been dormant in you for years.  But it also could have been
dormant in your husband for years.  It's possible that he passed it on to you
while he was shedding asymptomatically - which means, being contagious without
showing outward signs or symptoms.  He might have had it for years and never
known about it.  Another thing to keep in mind, is that if he has ever had a
cold sore, he could have passed type 1 on to your genitals through oral sex.

Definitely check into those meds the doctor gave you.  I believe that valtrex
doesn't have to be taken as many times a day as acyclovir.  However, I've never
taken the pills so I don't know for sure.  Remember that herpes is an
opportunistic virus so you want to keep yourself as healthy as you can.  Make
sure you get enough rest, destress whenever possible, eat healthy foods, and
exercise.  Of course, that's all easy for me to say...I'm not living through
what you are living through.  So, do your best.

Herpes outbreaks tend to become less severe as time goes on.  You may never have
another outbreak.  Or, you may have them once a month for awhile.  Or, you may
have them three or four times a year.  You'll just have to wait and see.

People have different triggers.  For some people, certain foods can trigger an
outbreak.

As far as having children goes, that's no problem.  However, Angela can give you
better advice on that than I can.  Since you are having your primary now, that's
a good thing, as opposed to having it during your pregnancy.  I'll leave the
rest of the pregnancy talk to Angela.

Good luck to you and I hope you check back with us frequently and let us know
how you are doing.

ar