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Genital Herpes: Useful info for those looking for answers like me!

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FelizCastus
FelizCastus

Ever since I suspected genital herpes (GH) and was recently confirmed to be going through a primary outbreak of HSV-2 (ugh, the "bad" one), I have been researching the topic like crazy! Guess that's a pretty normal thing to do, lol, and I'm sure many others here have done the same.

Anyway, I thought it would be helpful to share everything that I have learnt thus far, and I will continue to add to this thread as I come across more useful, interesting and/or relevant info.

Genital HSV symptoms https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1776485

Testing for HSV https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1776488

Does having one HSV type protect you against the other? https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1776489

Autoinnoculation (self-contagion to other areas) https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1776492

When is genital HSV most contagious? https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1776494

Genital HSV transmission risk https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1776497

Antiviral meds for genital HSV https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1776501

Natural treatments for genital HSV https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1776503

Genital HSV and increased risk of HIV https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1776505

Transmission risk via inanimate objects, swimming and blood https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1778698

Genital herpes and menstruation https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1778703

Genital herpes and BV and yeast infections https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1778708

Is there a vaccine for HSV-1/2? https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1778714

Possible complications of genital herpes https://patient.info/forums/discuss/comment?discussionid=482438&commentid=1782789

88 likes, 535 replies

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  • jd6
    jd6 FelizCastus

    Posted

    HI  CAN you tell me anything about equivocal results for 2.  I Was with someone new. Used protection and the condom broke. I got tired este tested and the results came back equivocal at .97 for hsv2 at 7 weeks. Is there  good chance thstb I‎t can come back negative?  Just got blood work done again and waiting for results 
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus jd6

      Posted

      There's a chance it could also just remain equivocal, as maybe that's your baseline due to various factors. Have you ever had a cold sore or know your HSV1 IgG status? 

    • jd6
      jd6 FelizCastus

      Posted

      YES I have had cold sores before and i was actually sick and getting one when i got tested. my hsv1 came back negative.  In July everything was negative.  This time only my hsv2 came back equivocal at .97. 
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus jd6

      Posted

      It is probably equivocal because you have HSV1 (some people are even low false positive because of that), but the IgG test failed to pick it up, as the HerpeSelect brand isn't the best (misses one in four HSV1 cases, and pre-existing HSV1 can crossreact with the HSV2 test, but not vice versa).

    • jd6
      jd6 FelizCastus

      Posted

      Well I‎t came back today’s at 1.3 so guessbits definitely positive 
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus jd6

      Posted

      Still a low positive, and if you definitely have pre-existing HSV1, it could thus be false.
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus jd6

      Posted

      It's 'easiest' ordered directly from the University of Washington. Google UoW, HSV, western blot, etc., and you should find their clinic site, contact details and ordering info. I have not done it myself, I should add, but have checked out their site and have heard of many who have ordered the test.

  • Scarletletter
    Scarletletter FelizCastus

    Posted

    Hi felizcastus

    U and I have talked before on the forum and I would like to ask for ur help with some info. I have been trying to date and when I meet them in person I disclose about gh2 and so far all but one has said not interested. This guy is not saying he doesn't want to be with me bc of it. I told him I could give him info(after I gave him statistics) and he wants the info! I'm so excited so I was wondering if u could share statistics with me again. I told him as long as I'm on daily meds(which I am) and we use a condom that it is less than 1% transmission. Without condom it's 4%. I also shared with him that u had shared that u know people that have been with partners for years without transmission. I told him we could have a normal sex life.  So do u think u can help me with a private message with info?? I would be so thankful to u for giving me a chance with a great guy. smile

    • jd6
      jd6 Scarletletter

      Posted

      Hi. If you don’t mind me asking. Did you tell these men right on the first date that you have hsv2? Or once you went out a few times.  Just curious on how to move forward with this.  Thanks 
    • Scarletletter
      Scarletletter jd6

      Posted

      Hi jd6

      After texting and talking for a couple few weeks then we agree to meet. So by this time we have both shared enough info about each other that we feel we know each other good enough to meet. You know we talk about family, upbringing, our like and dislikes, past relationships, sexual stuff. So yes, when I finally meet them in person I tell them right then-usually towards the end of the date bc I want them to get to know me and not me with herpes. The guy that gave it to me knew he had it and did not disclose that to me. He took away my right to choose and now I have it for life. So I don't ever want to do that to someone else. 

    • jd6
      jd6 Scarletletter

      Posted

      Thanks... i appreciate your honesty.  I got checked in nov and it was I‎t was equivocal, just retested last week so i should know at some point this week.  I no longer talk to the guy i was seeing but i was really curious about how to move forward if I‎t comes back positive. Thanks again 
    • Scarletletter
      Scarletletter jd6

      Posted

      Ur welcome. It's been a year and a half for me and seriously it has taken this whole time for me to accept it and that it doesnt define who I am but it was something that was done to me.  Now I have to work out the rejection I get form telling the men. That hurts more than knowing I have herpes. But I'm learning they aren't rejecting me it's the herpes that they r rejecting. 

  • Scarletletter
    Scarletletter FelizCastus

    Posted

    Hi felizcastus 

    Did u happen to see my message to u? I thought I pm but it went to the forum which is ok to

    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus Scarletletter

      Posted

      I have been offline for the past week or so due to work as well as phone issues. 😕  Slowly trying to catch up, but my current phone isn't the best, so please bear with me!

    • Scarletletter
      Scarletletter FelizCastus

      Posted

      Oh no worries-I just want to get as much info together for my new guy as possible. I want him to know that the risk of me transmitting to him is so low and we can have a normal sex life. Everything else about us is perfect!
    • FelizCastus
      FelizCastus Scarletletter

      Posted

      Have you looked at Herpes Opportunity? They actually have a good disclosure fact sheet that is e-mailed to you if you sign up for it. That honestly might be better than anything I can say! Or at least you can look at the fact sheet first, then ask me any questions afterwards.
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