HSV-2 only: Who else, and how often do you have outbreaks?

Hi, new to this...

Had a weird set of bumps that turned to painful sores (genitally) and went to urgent care a year and a half ago. They said it looked like herpes, did a swab test. I believe they called and told me it was negative. Later I Found out about some infidelity issues in our marriage but hubby insists he didn't sleep with anyone.🙄 So I went and got my results for a baseline and asked my OB to be tested for std's. when I picked up my UC results it said positive for HSV1 and HSV2, I was in shock. I had not had any outbreak prior to the first a year and a half ago, nor even cold sores. (I started to get a cold sore Jan last year but it was only there for a couple days and healed fast.) I had the blood drawn at my OB a few months ago and the results came back positive hsv1 and neg hsv2. I'm now having another genital outbreak and really confused. My husband had a blood test and only was positive for hsv1, insisting he has always had it... not sure what to think here and going back to the doctor tomorrow to talk to her and get another rx. I've taken valtrex once because I thought the stress was causing an outbreak when I found out he was cheating.(he was going to massage parlors for happy endings and texting people but insists he hasn't slept with anyone) Would my exposure be right before my first outbreak a year and a half ago? I can't get him to confess to anything and I don't have proof he slept with anyone but my gut is saying otherwise. We've been married over 8 years...

Hi Felis Cactus!

I know it has been more than a year since you started this discussion, but it will be interesting to revisit this topic since you would have had more time to really assess your condition.

I am: Male, just diagnosed last week (had genital outbreak last week), still recovering from the initial outbreak, and no cold sores prior.  I was diagnosed through swabbing, type HSV-2.

My initial out break was a few blisters and occasional burning sensations as the scabs were turning into blisters, but it wasn't 'excruciating pain', especially for my initial one.  But interestingly, I noted random muscle twitches ever since I got HSV2, sometimes back of quad, sometimes in the back, and sometimes in my right arm (biceps).  The twitches last about 2~5 seconds and go away - I had blood tests, MRI, and EMG done just in case!

Since sometime has passed, I do have a few questions for you:

1. How often did you get OB since your initial OB?

2. Did you note that they get milder as the time went on?

3. I know you mentioned that you had muscle twitches, have you heard from many others that they also experienced similar symptoms? (arms, legs, etc)

4. How was your sex life after? Were you being extra careful, or did you not have that many sex because you were afrid of transmitting it to others?

5. Does living with HSV2, combined with supposedly milder symptoms as time goes by, as difficult as you thought it would be? or was it just more of 'more serious' skin conditions? 

I would be greatly interested in your story.

Thanks!  

Hi Felis Catus!

Thanks a lot for sharing your story.  I do appreciate it

I had weird twitches throughout body, but they seem to be almost gone after 10 days or so.  (Thank God!)

My initial outbreak is already healing and honestly it wasn't so bad, but you are right - I'm really disappointed that this had happened to me.  But I won't go too deep into doubting myself or getting into depression.   Life goes on and I'm grateful that I do not have more serious STDs such as HIV, etc.  Also, this is not a life threatening disease, so I'll also use this as a reminder to be always more careful in sexual choices I make in the future.  (having a higher chance of getting HIV really trips me out, but so long as we make smart choices and meet a significant other that is HIV-free, we should be fine)

I recently hear that the CRISPR (Gene-editing) is really taking off and there possibly be a cure for HSV & HIVs(!).  it won't come out at least until 5 years after, but good things are coming - I know it.

Thank you so much for your kind response again and hope everyone realizes that the life goes on!  

Tested positive for HSV2 blood test IGG at 2.38 last year June. No symptoms at all !!!

Retested again this week, received my results 10 minutes ago and I'm still showing positive but my index value is now 2.05 !!

Does the decrease mean anything?

Also, what does it mean when it says that you've tested positive for antibodies?

I only just found out yesterday because of the outbreak symptoms I have and taken a swab at the doctors clinic and the doc was sure it was sv-2 by looking at it. I'm now waiting for the results. It's possible I might've had it for a 6 months -1.5 years unknowingly and now it decided to show up. I never had the symptoms of either hsv-1 or 2 before this.

I was just tested during an OBgYN visit to prepare for a hysterectomy. They confirmed I had tested positive for type 2.

To my knowledge I have not had any outbreaks or issues.

I'm also Type 2 diabetic and have had many UTI & yeast infections because of problems with sugar. But have never had any issues with blisters , legions, or any of the other symptoms typically associated with herpes 2.

Years ago I would get fever blisters on my mouth but only once in a blue moon.

Also, over a month ago I went into the ER with severe back pain which turned out to be a very nasty case of a UTI brought on by having sex with the wrong kind of lube. Still no legions or blisters to speak of.

How would I know if this was a recent contraction or something that's been in my

Body for a while and I didn't know?

I'm in an exclusive relationship now but if I've had it and didn't know, but have had no issues, could he have it? Also, could he have had it and not known either?

Help!

Found you over on the other board and boy do I need some help, I am in my 60's and never had anything - last weekend I felt a rather large lump on the labia and burning when urinating, it burst open, the only thing I could think of was a cyst, saw the Dr. Tues. and she said she thought it was genital herpes.  Well after practically reviving me, still in utter shock, she said I do.  I have been with my husband for 5 years, she said it could have been dormant for years in me and caused by stress, we just had a horrible hurricane, we are in the process of selling our house, moving, packing, selling stuff etc..  So I guess I could possibly buy that, I thought she meant it could have been dormant since I was a kid and had chicken pox, but since after reading all of these that has never come up, I've scratched that, more shock, she did blood work HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS CULTURE and since my lump had burst I had a very red, very sore situation and she swabbed it.  I can't remember when she called today if she said it was 1 or 2, but did say the dreaded genital herpes, I think I stopped taking in info by then.  I see her on Monday - the blood work doesn't show me results on line, just that the test was done.  I sure as hell know that I haven't been with anyone, nothing, but cannot figure out when or if he could have been with someone and of course before I could ask he said he had not.  He retired 9 months after we were married and since then we are pretty much together 24/7 except for a 6 day hospital stay for me and a 2 day stay last year.  So I am really interested in knowing about this - you just got this test.  I did have chicken pox very badly as a child, but I don't think I ever even got a cold sore.  I do remember my husband having a bump/cut on his lip one time - thought it was from shaving - if it was a herpes sore and we had oral sex then could he have given it to me and it just now manifested?  If this has somehow been in me for years, but with never having an outbreak, could I have given it to him.  Due to my last surgery, we have not had sex in a very long time, prior to and since - made 2 attempts but long story short it didn't really happen, but there was of course skin contact.  Hate to say, but I have almost no knowledge of all of this.  She put me on Valacyclovir today and I will get some expensive cream tomorrow.  I feel as though there is another, though much smaller lump developing, needless to say I'm having a rough time - it is almost 7:00 am and I am still up.  Don't think I am going to get any sleep.  Any help, advice, clear information would greatly be appreciated.