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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Herpes / July 2006Question..........
My boyfriend just recently found out he had genital herpes. I was tested in May for HSV1 and HSV2 and the test was negative for HSV2, positive for HSV1. Today I was told he had an outbreak the first of June, but it was just flu like and he did not know what it was (he said he has had no apparent outbreaks). I am to be tested again on Wednesday. I have had flu like symptons for about 3 weeks with severe itching to the point of hurting. I have seen nothing on the outside. My question now is, how long will it take for the antibodies to be in my blood stream for me to test? Would it be ok to test Wednesday or should I wait a couple of months? I do not think I can handle all that itching again without meds. Not only that, if you have any insight.........I also took a pregnancy test and tested positive. What does this mean for a baby if I contracted genital herpes and got pregnant? Thanks for your time...... Monica Hi Monica, So sorry for your troubles but congratulations on the pregnancy. :) I'm going to leave the pregnancy questions to Yoshi as she has had a few children while having herpes and she'll have more updated info than me. I believe there are no clear cut answers to your question below. But I'm going to try to break it all down so we can see what we are dealing with: 1) Your boyfriend was recently diagnosed with genital herpes. But no indication if it is type 1 or 2? 2) You tested positive to type 1 in May, but negative for type 2. 3) How does your boyfriend know he has herpes if he has had no outbreaks? Flu-like symptoms can mean he has the flu. 4) You are having extreme itching and flu-like symptoms. Has a yeast infection been ruled out? I'm assuming you are saying your itching is genital. 5) Antibodies take 12 to 16 weeks from exposure to build up enough to be tested. So, if you don't know when you were exposed, then you really can't tell if enough time has gone by. But, there are so many strange blanks to fill in this story. See if you can answer these for us: 1) Does your boyfriend have type 1 or 2. Has he ever had a cold sore? 2) Have you ever had a cold sore? Do you even know where your type 1 is located? Rule out a yeast infection and have a doctor see if you are having an outbreak or not. It seems to me that since you already have type 1, somewhere, then the best thing to do is to have a culture run on a new outbreak (got to catch them early) to see what is going on genitally. Okay, it's late and that's the best I can do for now. ar > My boyfriend just recently found out he had genital herpes. I was > tested in May for HSV1 and HSV2 and the test was negative for HSV2, [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > Thanks for your time...... > Monica > Hi Monica, > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > 1) Your boyfriend was recently diagnosed with genital herpes. But no > indication if it is type 1 or 2? Yes, he did test for type 2. > 2) You tested positive to type 1 in May, but negative for type 2. I knew I had type 1 because I have had cold sores. That is why I requested the type specific test. > 3) How does your boyfriend know he has herpes if he has had no outbreaks? > Flu-like symptoms can mean he has the flu. Doctor did type specific test. (As far as I know.) He has never had a cold sore, until recently. He had his first cold sore. He doctor told him that he did have an outbreak even though he did not see any sores. > 4) You are having extreme itching and flu-like symptoms. Has a yeast > infection been ruled out? I'm assuming you are saying your itching is > genital. I used monistat to try and relieve the itching last week. It did not work. It has subsided on its on. > 5) Antibodies take 12 to 16 weeks from exposure to build up enough to be > tested. So, if you don't know when you were exposed, then you really can't > tell if enough time has gone by. If, I was exposed it was in the first 2 weeks of June > But, there are so many strange blanks to fill in this story. See if you can > answer these for us: > 1) Does your boyfriend have type 1 or 2. Has he ever had a cold sore? > 2) Have you ever had a cold sore? Do you even know where your type 1 is > located? Type 2. Yes, just recently. I am kinda confused on this one really. Said he did test positive in 1998, but since he was having so much problems with his prostate (cancer) the doctor then said that it could possibly just be shingles. Now here just last month an infectious disease doctor confirmed him to be positive for 2. Yes, I do have cold sores and they are located on the lips. Have had them for as long as I can remember. On the internet it states that most people do not realize that they have genital herpes and that women can have outbreaks on the inside and assume that it is just a yeast infection. I could be jumping to conclusions, but since we did have unprotected sex during what his doctor is stating is an outbreak I am assuming that it is highly probable that I contracted it. Is it as highly infectious as the internet is stating? Thank you so much for answering my questions. I thought I was more specific that I actually was. > Rule out a yeast infection and have a doctor see if you are having an > outbreak or not. It seems to me that since you already have type 1, [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > Thanks for your time...... > > Monica Hi Monica, Herpes is such a confusing virus that one needs to be very specific in order to try to figure it out. So thanks for answering those questions. I would say you have two options: 1) Get tested now for type 2. If negative, retest in the proper amount of weeks and if the second test is positive, then you know you have a new infection. If you test negative in the proper amount of weeks, then you are negative for type 2. 2) Wait until the proper amount of weeks has gone by so you don't waste your money. It's too early for an accurate blood test. But the doctor can do a culture if you get to the doctor's office within the first 40 hours or so of an outbreak. Good luck to you. ar >> Hi Monica, >> [quoted text clipped - 88 lines] >> > Thanks for your time...... >> > Monica Grant, Thank you so much for answering my question. I think I will stand with option 1. I think I do have some blisters, but of course I will not be at the doctors office until Wednesday. Hopefully she can do something to help ease the discomfort. Monica > Hi Monica, > [quoted text clipped - 109 lines] > >> > Thanks for your time...... > >> > Monica Hi, Monica, For pain and swelling, ibuprofin works quite well--or whichever over the counter pain med you prefer. For the itching...well, some have great success with listerine mouthwash, of all things. But use the original flavor. I can't think of any of the other ideas people have suggested right now. You may want to ask your pregnancy questions separately with a subject line that will attract Yoshi's attention by mentioning pregnancy. That way she doesn't miss those questions. ar > Hi, Monica, > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > ar I never heard of the listerine mouthwash idea for itching but I think I am going to try it. I tried tea tree oil but it is really smelly. Al > I never heard of the listerine mouthwash idea for itching but I think I > am going to try it. I tried tea tree oil but it is really smelly. > > Al Let me know how the listerine works. ar > Let me know how the listerine works. > > ar Hi ar, Well guess what? I tried the listerine, and it worked great! I was having some itching from this outbreak, and the itching is gone now. It was a little strong feeling on the skin at first because I think I have some small cuts there, or the skin is raw, but the listerine took away the itching. That was very helpful, because I have been combatting itching from outbreaks with no relief for a long time. Thanks, Al Al, Thanks for letting us know how it worked for you. I am new to this with my first outbreak and this will be helpful. Monica > > Let me know how the listerine works. > > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Al > Al, > > Thanks for letting us know how it worked for you. I am new to this with > my first outbreak and this will be helpful. > > Monica Hi Monica, Your welcome, but ar was the one that really deserves the credit. You might also want to dilute it with water prior to putting it on your skin, because I used it straight and it was a little strong feeling. Al Woooohoooooo!!!! Thanks for letting us know, Al. ar >> Let me know how the listerine works. >> [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Al Thanks for the advice. I will give them a try. According to Al, it does work. I will repost my pregnancy questions tomorrow. Monica > Hi, Monica, > [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > ar I'm attempting to work my way through this thread.. lol :) Does this link help at all? http://www.yoshi2me.com/hsv1-hsv2.html What seems to be in play here is the following: Oral Herpes Type-1 Oral Herpes Type-2 Genital Herpes Type-1 Genital Herpes Type-2 Which of the following posted above do you guys have? Angela  Signature"By opening up to a partner and talking about an STD diagnosis you are showing that you respect and care about yourself as well as the other person." Herpes Help http://www.yoshi2me.com/index.html STD Message Board http://yoshi2me.com/phpbb/index.php Picking Up the Pieces http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html Angela, I know for sure that I have oral herpes type-1 and am worried about testing for genital herpes type-2. Monica > I'm attempting to work my way through this thread.. lol :) > [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > Picking Up the Pieces > http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html Hi Monica ~ > My boyfriend just recently found out he had genital herpes. How was he tested? Did he have a type specific herpes blood test OR did he have a culture done of an actual sore? > I was > tested in May for HSV1 and HSV2 and the test was negative for HSV2, > positive for HSV1. Have you had any sores that you can see or feel OR was this just a herpes blood test that you had done? > Today I was told he had an outbreak the first of > June, but it was just flu like and he did not know what it was (he said > he has had no apparent outbreaks). Ok, an outbreak is something that you can see or feel. I'm not sure what the "flu like" symptoms with no apparent lesion would be. Was their a sore or lesion that could be seen or felt? > I am to be tested again on > Wednesday. I have had flu like symptons for about 3 weeks with severe > itching to the point of hurting. I have seen nothing on the outside. My > question now is, how long will it take for the antibodies to be in my > blood stream for me to test? If you actually have herpes simplex virus then it could take a couple of weeks OR it could take up to six weeks for antibodies to develop. Everybody is different. > Would it be ok to test Wednesday or should > I wait a couple of months? I do not think I can handle all that itching > again without meds. What exactly has your doctor said about all this? (Can you tell I haven't read through the entire thread? lol) > Not only that, if you have any insight.........I also took a pregnancy > test and tested positive. Congratulations!! :) > What does this mean for a baby if I contracted genital herpes and got > pregnant? Women with genital herpes have healthy babies via vaginal deliveries all the time. I have had two healthy babies via vaginal deliveries and have had genital herpes for 11 years. So far so good.. :) > Thanks for your time...... Hope this helps Monica, Angela :) Signature"By opening up to a partner and talking about an STD diagnosis you are showing that you respect and care about yourself as well as the other person." Herpes Help http://www.yoshi2me.com/index.html STD Message Board http://yoshi2me.com/phpbb/index.php Picking Up the Pieces http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html > Hi Monica ~ > > > My boyfriend just recently found out he had genital herpes. > > How was he tested? Did he have a type specific herpes blood test OR did he > have a culture done of an actual sore? He was tested for type specific herpes blood test. He tested negative for type-1 and positive for type-2. > > I was > > tested in May for HSV1 and HSV2 and the test was negative for HSV2, > > positive for HSV1. > > Have you had any sores that you can see or feel OR was this just a herpes > blood test that you had done? I had a bood test and tested negative for type-2. I knew I had type-1 oral. Have had it for as long as I can remember. Was always told they were cold sores. > > Today I was told he had an outbreak the first of > > June, but it was just flu like and he did not know what it was (he said [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > "flu like" symptoms with no apparent lesion would be. Was their a sore or > lesion that could be seen or felt? No, he did not have an aparent lesion. The infectious disease doctor told him that it was a breakout. She has put him on Valtrex. > > I am to be tested again on > > Wednesday. I have had flu like symptons for about 3 weeks with severe [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > weeks OR it could take up to six weeks for antibodies to develop. Everybody > is different. Thanks. I could not get into the doctors office while I felt I could be having a break out so I though about the blood test again. > > Would it be ok to test Wednesday or should > > I wait a couple of months? I do not think I can handle all that itching > > again without meds. > > What exactly has your doctor said about all this? (Can you tell I haven't > read through the entire thread? lol) I go on Wednesday. > > Not only that, if you have any insight.........I also took a pregnancy > > test and tested positive. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > time. I have had two healthy babies via vaginal deliveries and have had > genital herpes for 11 years. So far so good.. :) Did you already have genital herpes before getting pregnant? My concern is, I may have contracted herpes and become pregnant at the same time. I have read so much on the internet that it has scared me about contracting genital herpes during pregnancy. I do not know if it applies to getting the both at the same time....... Thank you for answering my questions. You hear so much horror stories on the internet and so many different things that you do not know what to believe. I have seen a couple of blister like spots on me. It is not on the outside but more on the inside of the vagina. Sorry to get graphical, but that is the only way that I can explain it. I do not doubt that I have contracted it and I am not mad a him. Just feel stupid for not learning more. Monica > > Thanks for your time...... > [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > Picking Up the Pieces > http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html > He was tested for type specific herpes blood test. He tested negative > for type-1 and positive for type-2. > I had a bood test and tested negative for type-2. I knew I had type-1 > oral. Have had it for as long as I can remember. Was always told they > were cold sores. I understand now.. So.. you are saying that you have oral herpes type-1 and your boyfriend has genital herpes type-2. > I go on Wednesday. Keep us posted, ok? > Did you already have genital herpes before getting pregnant? Yes. > My concern > is, I may have contracted herpes and become pregnant at the same time. Well, if you did contract genital herpes type-2 and got pregnant at the same time then your body has plenty of time to build up antibodies to the virus that you will be share with your baby. You will also be able to go on suppressive therapy which will prevent you from having viral activity on the surface of your skin around the time you are set to deliver your baby. If you did not contract genital herpes type-2 then it will be important that you don't contract it while you are pregnant.. especially during the last trimester. Your partner may want to think about ways that he can protect you further from contracting it such as suppressive therapy, condoms, etc. Be sure and talk about all this with your doctor. Either way.. I think you and the baby are going to be fine just for the simple fact that you are trying to figure out what your status is and that you are aware of what is going on with herpes all together. > I have read so much on the internet that it has scared me about > contracting genital herpes during pregnancy. I do not know if it > applies to getting the both at the same time....... Don't be scared, ok? Hopefully, between you, your partner, and your doctor.. you will be able to get this all figured out. :) > Thank you for answering my questions. You hear so much horror stories > on the internet and so many different things that you do not know what [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > doubt that I have contracted it and I am not mad a him. Just feel > stupid for not learning more. Be sure and have your doctor take a look at those spots. Try not to worry too much. It sounds like you are doing everything you can by learning about the virus and how it works, etc. Hang in there and enjoy your pregnancy.. ok? * Hugs * Angela :) PS We have a pregnancy forum available on the STD message board if you would like to check that out sometime. :) :) :) Signature"By opening up to a partner and talking about an STD diagnosis you are showing that you respect and care about yourself as well as the other person." Herpes Help http://www.yoshi2me.com/index.html STD Message Board http://yoshi2me.com/phpbb/index.php Picking Up the Pieces http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html Angela, Thank you so much for your encourging words. I just wish I would have learned more before now. I think that doctors give inaccruate advice because the are not fully educated on genital herpes. We were both told that if there where no open lesions that it could not be transmitted. BUT I know that to be WRONG! I have been reading the forums on your website. You have done a great job! Once again, thanks. I will update you about Wednesday. I just hope that they can take a culture from the lesions. It might be too late since they will be more than 48 hours old. How long does a typical outbreak take? I have been going through this for a little over 2 weeks now. The itching and pain have subsided, but should I expect more now that the lesions have appeared? Is it typical to feel without energy and flu like (fever gone, but still achy..started a week before the itching, burning and hurting)? Is the first outbreak always the worst or can I expect about the same thing next time? I understand that some of these symptoms could be the pregnancy. I am trying to be reasonable. I know the morning sickness is not a symptom of the herpes. Monica > > He was tested for type specific herpes blood test. He tested negative > > for type-1 and positive for type-2. [quoted text clipped - 79 lines] > Picking Up the Pieces > http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html "Nobody" <whocarescanttell@yahoo.com> wrote in message > Thank you so much for your encourging words. You are welcome!! :) > I just wish I would have > learned more before now. It's never too late, ya know? > I think that doctors give inaccruate advice > because the are not fully educated on genital herpes. Sometimes they let their pride get in the way too!! > We were both told > that if there where no open lesions that it could not be transmitted. > BUT I know that to be WRONG! It's too bad healthcare professionals are not kept up to speed OR held accountable for what they do not know about STDS. > I have been reading the forums on your website. You have done a great > job! Hey thanks for saying so.. :) > Once again, thanks. I will update you about Wednesday. I just hope that > they can take a culture from the lesions. It might be too late since > they will be more than 48 hours old. Yes, please do keep me posted. I hope you can get some solid answers soon, too. > How long does a typical outbreak take? It varies from person to person. Some people have outbreaks that only last a couple of days and others might take a little longer for their outbreaks to clear up. Some (as you already know) have viral activity on the surface of the skin and aren't even aware of it because it doesn't look OR feel like your text-book outbreak. > I have been going through this > for a little over 2 weeks now. The itching and pain have subsided, but > should I expect more now that the lesions have appeared? It just depends... When I first contracted herpes I got outbreaks all the time (so it seemed).. now it's 11 years later and I don't get them quite as often. At least not any that I can recognize as an outbreak. Maybe once or twice a year I might feel a little strange down yonder but not like I did when I first contracted it. You can read more about my herpes history over here ~ http://www.yoshi2me.com/herpes-biography.html > Is it typical > to feel without energy and flu like (fever gone, but still > achy..started a week before the itching, burning and hurting)? Sure, it's possible. > Is the > first outbreak always the worst or can I expect about the same thing > next time? I really don't know because it really does vary from person to person. In the beginning it's more or less a wait-n-see type of deal. > I understand that some of these symptoms could be the pregnancy. Yes, that is true too. > I am > trying to be reasonable. I know the morning sickness is not a symptom > of the herpes. That's for sure!! lol :) * Hugs * Angela :) Signature"By opening up to a partner and talking about an STD diagnosis you are showing that you respect and care about yourself as well as the other person." Herpes Help http://www.yoshi2me.com/index.html STD Message Board http://yoshi2me.com/phpbb/index.php Picking Up the Pieces http://yoshi2me.com/pup/index.html |
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