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HSoCal - 25 Nov 2007 06:14 GMT

I have been with my husband for 10 yrs. I was diagnosed with GH 5 mths ago.
My first outbreak was a yr befor that. It must have laid dormant in me
unless my husband passed it to me. However, he has never had any signs of
herpes. As a matter of fact, we had sex during my first outbreak and he
still showed no signs. Weird!! My first outbreak I thought was a spider
bite. It was located right above my butt crack and got to be the size of a
quarter. It wasnt painful, except if pressed, nor was it uncomfortable. My
first 2 outbreaks I went to the doctor and he treated me for a skin
infection. It never dawned on him that it was herpes. It took my 3rd
outbreak and a different doctor for it to be tested. I get outbreaks in
the same spot about every 4-5 mths. They dont get more extreme nor have I
got sores anywhere else.
Here's my question. Is it common to have genital herpes but have never had
an outbreak in the genital area? Is it highly possible I can get an
outbreak in my genitals in the future? Im very confused and very scared.
This may sound ignorant, but since my husband never reacted, can i even
pass it if Ive never had an outbrk in my genitals? If so, Can I pass it in
a kiss also? I know the virus can be unpredictable. Im petrified. Lastley,
Could I have been misdiagnosed? Sould I get a blood test? Thank you so
much!!!

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M2slo2cht@nospam.invalid - 26 Nov 2007 03:32 GMT

>They dont get more extreme nor have I
>got sores anywhere else.

Herpes isn't a progressive disease. In fact usually the outbreaks
diminish in severity and frequency over time. Not always but usually.

>Here's my question. Is it common to have genital herpes but have never had
>an outbreak in the genital area?

Studies have shown that 90% of people infected don't know it because
they've either never had an outbreak, or their outbreaks are not
noticeable, or they look like something else (like a spider bite for
instance).

>Is it highly possible I can get an
>outbreak in my genitals in the future?

Once infected, the virus resides in the Sacral Ganglia which is a
nerve ganglia at the base of the spine. That ganglia serves the entire
"boxer shorts" area. So an outbreak anywhere in the area it serves is
possible.

>since my husband never reacted, can i even
>pass it if Ive never had an outbrk in my genitals?

That's possible by means of asymptomatic shedding, which is shedding
of the virus through the skin without visible signs of an outbreak. On
the other hand, if your husband is already infected and not having
outbreaks, he won't become infected again. It doesn't work like that.

>Can I pass it in a kiss also?

Only if you're infected orally (cold sores). The virus doesn't move
around the body. Once infection is set up either genitally or orally,
it stays put in that location. That's not to say you can't be infected
in both places at the same time.

>Could I have been misdiagnosed?

A false positive culture is unlikely.

>Sould I get a blood test?

I wouldn't think that would be necessary but talk with your doctor.
Your husband might consider a blood test though. Without a lesion to
culture, that would be his only option for a test.

And don't lose any sleep over this. The biggest problem with Herpes
is the stigma. Not the virus itself.
It's very treatable, it's not progressive, and the outbreaks usually
diminish over time. In your case, it's possible that you've been
infected for years and then something in your diet or immune response
or who knows what changed, which triggered your outbreaks. It's even
possible that your husband had it for years and it finally transferred
to you. Sometimes it's impossible to tell who transmitted what to
whom.

M2

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HSoCal - 26 Nov 2007 06:32 GMT

That was great info, Thnks. I have another thought based on some info you
gave. If im having an outbreak in that area on my back is my entire "boxer
shorts" area infected? Meaning, if my husband shows to be negative, should
he not even simply touch me anywhere in the "boxer shrts" area for fear of
transmition?? Im even afraid to be touched anywhere above the waist now.
Ive seen photos of herpes on the shoulders and arms. For me, Why would the
virus ONLY attack right above the butt crack? And NEVER in the genital
area? Is that where i was first exposed maybe??

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M2slo2cht@nospam.invalid - 26 Nov 2007 23:58 GMT

>If im having an outbreak in that area on my back is my entire "boxer
>shorts" area infected?

Sorta but not exactly.
The virus lies dormant in the Sacral Ganglia most of the time. So no
problem most of the time. Then, for reasons nobody's figured out
(although triggers have been identified... everybody's triggers are
different), the virus can activate in its hideout and start
replicating itself. It then sends its offspring up a nerve to the skin
surface. Since each nerve serves a different patch of the "boxer
shorts area", the patch where it sheds depends on which nerve/route it
takes. The theory is, it takes the path of least resistance..... which
is anybody's guess. For most people, it takes the same one over and
over. But sometimes it can switch for unexplained reasons. Needless to
say, that can be a little frustrating when it comes to predicting
where asymptomatic shedding or an outbreak will occur next.

>Meaning, if my husband shows to be negative, should
>he not even simply touch me anywhere in the "boxer shrts" area for fear of
>transmition??

It's not THAT contagious. Especially if you're not having an outbreak.
The virus generally transfers by way of mucosal type skin which is
found on the genitals and lips. Normal skin is usually too thick for
the little virus to penetrate. The exception would be if it finds a
cut or abrasion or some other opening in the skin to allow it through.
Also, be aware that the virus is disolved immediately by soap/water so
hand washing can knock the risk of transfer down even further.

>Im even afraid to be touched anywhere above the waist now.

You're going WAY overboard.

>Ive seen photos of herpes on the shoulders and arms.

The virus in those cases has probably set up latency in a ganglia
further up the spine or maybe even the Trigeminal ganglia which is
where Oral Herpes sets up.

>For me, Why would the
>virus ONLY attack right above the butt crack? And NEVER in the genital
>area? Is that where i was first exposed maybe??

Area of exposure seems to be a common area for recurrent outbreaks.
And it may recur only there from now on. On the other hand, it could
switch.
Frustrating....... I know.

M2

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