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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Herpes / December 2004My girlfriend just told me that she's infected ...
.. at least she thinks that she is. When she had her first large outbreak inside her vagina (about 10 years ago) she was tested for all STD's and they all came back negative. But she has had much smaller outbreaks ever since, every few months and everything she has ever read has convinced her that she does have Herpes. She doesn't want to have to let an out break get bad so that she can be swabbed again (I can't blame her for that) so she treats herself with a cold sore cream which works well for her as soon as she begins to feel the initial tingle. I have read in this group about a blood test. Is that available in the UK? And can that be taken at any time, not just during an outbreak? And what are the type 1 and type 2's? I seem to be reading that a lot, but no explanation. We've always used condoms so far anyway, but we're getting to the point of the relationship where we may not want to all of the time. How concerned should I be? I think I've had cold sores on my face in the past (particularly one I remember that was very persistent up my nose .. I'm sure that was a cold sore), would that give me some resilience? She had unprotected sex with her ex for a number of years and only abstained during outbreaks. Does that say more about his resilience than how much at risk I am? Thanks for any help Brien She should get a prescription for a suppressive such as Zovirax. Acyclovir is the generic- in the USA it costs about $50 a month. They did a large study of almost 1000 people and only 1 partner of those who took the suppressive meds got infected over the course of 9 months (or a year- I forget).... I think that's a small price to pay for so much prevention and stress relief! Anyway- being on the meds has helped me psychologically ALOT... and so far, the only guys who have had a problem with me having this little annoyance are the ones who were just into sex for sex and not into me as a person.... Hope this helps... > .. at least she thinks that she is. > [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > Thanks for any help > Brien My comments below.. > .. at least she thinks that she is. She doesn't know for sure!? > When she had her first large outbreak inside her vagina (about 10 years > ago) she was tested for all STD's and they all came back negative. Since herpes simplex virus is not included in the routine std testing processes then it's likely that she never got tested for herpes in the first place. Know what I mean!? > But > she has had much smaller outbreaks ever since, every few months and > everything she has ever read has convinced her that she does have Herpes. People with herpes simplex virus do not always have those "classic" symptoms. In fact, 90% of people that have genital herpes don't even know that they have it. > She doesn't want to have to let an out break get bad so that she can be > swabbed again (I can't blame her for that) so she treats herself with a > cold sore cream which works well for her as soon as she begins to feel > the initial tingle. Why doesn't she get a type specific blood test for herpes simplex virus!? I have always recommended that folks have the Herpes Specific Western Blot Test done from the University of Washington in Washington State. This blood test is considered to be the "Gold Standard" in herpes testing. This blood test will tell you if you have type-1, type-2, both or none at all. So you see, your girlfriend doesn't have to wait for the next "outbreak" to have a culture done in order to be tested for herpes simplex virus. But, if she does happen to get a break or irritation in the skin in order for the culture to be the most accurate she would need to get in to have the sore swabbed within the first 24 to 48 hours of the outbreak appearing. Tell her to remind the doctor to tell the lab to have the results typed should they come back positive for herpes simplex virus. > I have read in this group about a blood test. Is that available in the > UK? And can that be taken at any time, not just during an outbreak? I'm not familiar with the UK. I'm sure that Tim will be along shortly to answer your post though.. > And what are the type 1 and type 2's? I seem to be reading that a lot, > but no explanation. Well perhaps this link will help you: http://www.yoshi2me.com/hsv1-hsv2.html > We've always used condoms so far anyway, but we're getting to the point > of the relationship where we may not want to all of the time. How > concerned should I be? Well first of all, both you and your girlfriend need to be tested for all stds including herpes and hiv so you will know your status. Remember, not all std panels test for the same things so you need to be persistent and ask questions about what the different clinics test for.. > I think I've had cold sores on my face in the past (particularly one I > remember that was very persistent up my nose .. I'm sure that was a cold > sore), would that give me some resilience? As we all know - cold sores and fever blisters are indeed the herpes simplex virus. Like I said earlier.. the two of you need to have proper std testing so you will know what your status is and can rule out all other stds as well. > She had unprotected sex with her ex for a number of years and only > abstained during outbreaks. Does that say more about his resilience than > how much at risk I am? First find out what you are working with.. neither of you knows for sure what you have or don't have.. > Thanks for any help You're Welcome!! > Brien  SignatureAngela :)Omaha HELP Patient Advocate www.yoshi2me.com > I have read in this group about a blood test. Is that available in the > UK? And can that be taken at any time, not just during an outbreak? Once you have the virus, you'll always have antibodies whether or not you are shedding the virus externally during or without an outbreak. So, yes, the blood test can be taken any time. The blood test is called the Western Blot. > And what are the type 1 and type 2's? I seem to be reading that a lot, > but no explanation. That is Herpes Simplex 1 and Herpes Simplex 2. They are similar but not identical. HS1 is usually found on the lips. HS2 prefers the genitals. This is not absolute. A lot of the new genital herpes cases in the UK are apparently from HS1 (up to 30% from what I have read). > We've always used condoms so far anyway, but we're getting to the point > of the relationship where we may not want to all of the time. How > concerned should I be? You should know that condoms are not very effective protection from H. It comes from skin to skin contact. If she is shedding virus (and you never really know for sure when she is shedding virus), it can and probably will eventually be transmitted to your unprotected skin. If this is a long term relationship, then I wouldn't be so much concerned as resigned to the fact that you'll probably get the herp. It's not a big deal for most people. In fact most people don't know they have it because they have minimal or no symptoms. > I think I've had cold sores on my face in the past (particularly one I > remember that was very persistent up my nose .. I'm sure that was a cold > sore), would that give me some resilience? You can still get HS2, even if you have antibodies to HS1 from your HS1 virus. There is some question as to whether HS1 antibodies provide any resistance at all to HS2. Don't count on it. > She had unprotected sex with her ex for a number of years and only > abstained during outbreaks. Does that say more about his resilience than > how much at risk I am? He's probably HS2 positive and not showing symptoms. Maybe she doesn't shed much outside of outbreaks and he's still negative. Maybe you'll become HS2 positive and not know it. Either way, you are at risk of getting the herp. I'm in this similar situation myself. I am in a relationship and my boyfriend and I got to the point where we wanted to stop using condoms. so we both went in for STD testing and i asked for EVERYTHING to be tested. Of course, i cant remember the name of EVERY STD to be asked to be tested for, but i explained the circumstances to my doctor and she told me she tested me for EVERYTHING. my test results came back negative and so did my boyfriends. 3 months later, i started to get an outbreak which at first i thought was just a really bad yeast infection. then the blisters appeared and so i went to my doctor that day. they swabbed me and confirmed that it most likely is herpes simplex virus 2. i asked her about my test results from 3 months prior and my doctor told me that she didnt test me for Herpes because 1: i didnt show signs of an outbreak and 2: because i didnt specifically ask for it. not only am i REALLY pissed off at my doctor for not testing me, but i'm also mad because she began to lecture me about not using condoms...even after i spoke with her about it at my testing 3 months prior. my breakout began 5 days ago and i have been on Valtrex for 2 days now (starting 3) and she gave me some lidocane ointment to numb the pain (which in my opinion causes more pain and discomfort). I am still waiting for my test results from the swabbing (which i dont ever want to do again) and from culture and blood testing. i will most likely get my results before thanksgiving. in the meantime, i have discussed this with my boyfriend and he is going to his doctor to get tested again. I am very lucky that he is not freaked out or grossed out by this condition and has been supporting me 100%. we are praying that the results will come back negative and that this possibly could just be shingles or even an adult case of "diaper rash" (but i highly doubt it). one thing that i've done to ease the discomfort is an ointment mixture of Lotrisone and Cortisone 10. i mix a small pea sized amount of each onto a cotton pad and apply it after every time i urinate. this is the only thing that has given me results so far. and though it doesnt take the pain away completely, atleast i can sleep more than 2 or 3 hours at night now. I find myself cringing at the thought of a sneeze or a cough. It takes me almost 2 hours to work up the nerve to use the restroom because the pain is so severe. i dont know if this is normal...i'm assuming it is after reading these posts. I can deal with this virus is there is something i can find to help numb this pain. any suggestions anyone? as far as your situation with your girlfriend, i would both get tested as soon as possible via blood test. as far as i know, there are 3 tests in the world that accurately diagnose herpes. here's an copy/paste from a helpful website: http://www.genitalherpes.com/info/treating/expect/diagnosis.jsp#blood_test According to the American Social Health Association (ASHA) and genital herpes experts, there are several accurate, FDA-approved blood tests for genital herpes: HerpeSelectTM HSV-1 and HSV-2 ELISA (made by Focus Technologies)—requires blood to be drawn and sent to a laboratory. For more information about this test, call 800-445-4032, or visit www.herpeselect.com. HerpeSelectTM HSV-1 and HSV-2 Immunoblot (made by Focus Technologies)—requires blood to be drawn and sent to a laboratory. For more information about this test, call 800-445-4032, or visit www.herpeselect.com. POCkit® HSV 2 Rapid Test (made by Diagnology)—this test can be done in your doctor's office and provides results in less than 10 minutes. For more information on this test, ask your doctor to call 877-776-2548, or visit www.pockit.com. Also, here's a website from the UK. i hope this helps. http://www.herpes.org.uk/ > I'm in this similar situation myself. I am in a relationship and my > boyfriend and I got to the point where we wanted to stop using condoms. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > me she tested me for EVERYTHING. my test results came back negative and so > did my boyfriends. It's funny how Herpes isn't included in the "everything" category. I wonder why it's not. Could it be overlooked because it's really not that serious? I read somewhere that it's not really an STI because it's a 'contact' transmission, but seeing as the contact is mainly sexual I'm not convinced. Just thinking outloud... feel free to commment. <snip> Brien - From personal experience, and from speaking with other Herpsters here in the UK, you might find your local GUM clinic reluctant to provide a herpes blood test. Many of us have been told it doesn't matter what type you are - and no amount of discussion was going to persuade my clinic otherwise (I can't remember the last time I was so annoyed/frustrated). Rather than shopping around for a more helpful clinic I decided to pay for the test myself - £25 being a small price to find out whether I am type 1 or 2. The Health Protection Agency (formally the Public Health Laboratory Service) will carry out tests but prefer not to deal with individuals, so you're best going through the The Herpes Virus Association who act as a middleman. This is what I did - the only downside is you need to get someone to draw your blood for you, as neither the HVA or the HPA are going to do that for you. You may find your GUM clinic will do that much, or if you know anyone that is qualified to draw blood (got any friends that are nurses?) you can get them to do it with the kit the HVA provide included in the £25 fee. The Herpes Virus Association can contacted on 0207 607 9661, or you can follow cwbrh's link... > Also, here's a website from the UK. i hope this helps. > http://www.herpes.org.uk/ By the way, if you want to meet some other herpes people from the UK, check out this site. We're a friendly bunch on there :-) http://216.92.34.170/phpBB2/index.php Don't be put off that the site is called HDate.co.uk, it's developed into so much more - so much so that the site creators are thinking of separating the dating part off to give the support/chat more emphasis. Good luck with it all. -- Gadge Herpes Simplex Virus is a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) and/or a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). Whoever told you it wasn't is full of it.. lol Happy Holidays!! Angela :) www.yoshi2me.com > It's funny how Herpes isn't included in the "everything" category. I > wonder [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > convinced. > Just thinking outloud... feel free to commment. > Herpes Simplex Virus is a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) and/or a > Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). Whoever told you it wasn't is full of [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > www.yoshi2me.com Yeah, I don't see how anyone can claim it's not sexually transmitted. I suppose there are some people unlucky enough to get it on other parts of the body when sex isn't invoved though... -- Gadge |
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