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

Canker sores are not std related. I get those too and it only comes when I drink acidic foods and drinks which I try not to do. (Soda, wine, ect) haven't you been tested? You could have a skin allergy too on your face it's not necessarily related but could be. My guess is if you have had only one outbreak in three years you have HSV-1 on the genitals not HSV-2.

Canker sores are not herpes, true, and I am also wondering about which type Raquel has (although any outbreak frequency is possible, since the 5-6 times/year noted for Type 2 is just an average).

@Raquel - Did a test confirm that you definitely have HSV-2, or was it just a visual or self-diagnosis?

Ouch, I feel for you! No prior HSV-1 infection (like me as well) means you are highly likely to be symptomatic with HSV-2 and experience recurrences, which is why I asked, since it can make a difference.

If you still seem to be having outbreaks, daily suppressive therapy is definitely worth considering. Are your recurrences accompanied by new lesions? Are they milder than your first outbreak?

Although it's a horrible thing that brought us to this forum, I'm glad for its existence and how we're all on here, too. Really helps to know others in the same predicament (I know of nobody else, other than my giver, who is now fully out of the picture - total d!ckhead!), and I find it "therapeutic" helping others, especially while I currently still have so much free time on my hands!

P.S. I have only told two close gfs about my diagnosis, one just recently. It does help to offload and let someone else know, but choose who you tell wisely.

I appreciate your responses! My initial outbreak was sadly HORRIBLE. Spent 4 days either in bed, or in a warm bath. Luckily my recurrences are not this terrible, however they do come with pain and new ulcers. I still experience cramping, back pain, tingling, and pain before and during an outbreak. I am a bit concerned because I also have been experiencing blood in my urine, and I cannot find anywhere where this is a normal symptom. Any thoughts on this?? I am not sure what is triggering them, but it is incredibly discouraging. Everytime I start to feel normal again, here comes another outbreak I think I will speak with my doctor about getting on a daily antiviral.

I do have lots of good friends, I know I should probably let my guard down, but as soon as I tell someone then I feel like it will really be my reality. Still accepting this condition, trying my best to keep a positive mindset.

It seems like you are handling this so well! Very inspiring

I really hope your outbreaks let up, as that does not sound pleasant at all!

Regarding the blood in your urine, does it burn to pee? If so, you could well have lesions in your urethra, which can noticeably bleed, especially when your urine is too strong. I had that with my first outbreak and the best way to reduce the burning and eliminate visible blood in the urine is to drink lots of water/fluids.

Otherwise you could have an unrelated bacterial UTI (usually also burns to pee, which is why GH is often first mistaken for a UTI, as in my case), so good to get that checked out, as if bacterial, you may require antibiotics. They can do a simple urine culture to look for bacteria.

And thanks for the kind words, btw.  To be completely honest, I have dealt with my diagnosis fairly well primarily because I have not had GH too bad *so far* (touch wood), plus it takes two to tango, sometimes sh!t happens but you have to roll with the punches, and there are worse things to have than GH, which at least doesn't kill you or affect your immune system. Knowledge really is power over GH as well!

But while what's done is done and life still goes on ... I nevertheless hate my giver after he revealed his true colours (bad enough he gave me this!), and I think it totally sucks to now be forever lumped with this highly stigmatised and possibly frequently recurring virus!! Lol

Everyone's different, but for me, the best way to come to terms with GH is to accept it, read up on it, don't let it change who you are or the way you live (unless you notice a repeat trigger), be kind and true to yourself, remain upbeat but realistic, and acknowledge and embrace your mixed feelings. I have no problem helping others while still venting about things from time to time, haha.

Are the blisters always in the same spot or can they be anywhere?

They usually stay in the same general area (mine have so far), but they can appear anywhere in the boxer shorts region. Some people have reported their recurrences migrating over time, but I suspect that is not the norm for most people.

I think I'm so nervous/anxious/scared that I'm going to have another outbreak that I'm over thinking every little feeling my body has thinking another outbreak is coming. I thought I felt a tingle so I considered just starting a 3 day round of meds just in case. I'm driving myself crazy!

Felizcastus struggling to find threads for men. Especially UK men like me that have skin. If we were to be circumcised (the place/part the symptoms appear)would it go in the bin with that skin or come out so.ewhere else?

Your doctor should not have done a swab test that is not type-specific. What a wasted opportunity to confirm type! Your bf's results will be interesting. Probably positive for HSV-1, I'm guessing. If you had HSV from before, you would have expected symptoms when you were being treated for leukemia, unless that was a long time ago now and you acquired it later. Also possible that a first outbreak was mild and overlooked. But I usually look to the most obvious source first, so let's see how your bf tests. You can also retest at 3-4 months, but will need to stop the meds for a while first.

It was definitely my first outbreak in January and yes I was treated for the cancer a long time ago. Do you think the IgG is at all accurate?

The HerpeSelect IgG test for Type 2 is more sensitive than the one for Type 1, which can apparently miss some infections. The test for Type 2 is apparently very accurate in the absence of Type 1, so always good to test for both. With Type 1, there's a chance of an equivocal result or low false positive (typically anything below 3.5). If that happens, they usually suggest the western blot via the University of Washington, which is supposedly the gold standard in HSV testing, but rather costly.

If you have existing Type 1, then you may get an equivocal or low false positive for Type 2. Should have clarified.

His test results came back positive for HSV-1 and negative for 2.  So how likely is it that my outbreak was HSV-1 in my genital region?  Now he thinks I managed to pick it up somewhere else.  I am besides myself.  Both of my IgG were negative so I know I didn't have it before.

Well, you tested positive by swab for HSV, but it was not typed. You don't have antibodies in your blood to either type yet, but he does to Type 1. Based on these facts, it can only be Type 1 in your genital outbreak and that it came from him! And sorry, but what an așs. The worst stories I read about are the ones where guys have no doubt infected their partners, then have the balls to blow up and accuse their partners of cheating, etc. Hope yours comes around soon and apologises before too much damage is done. You also don't really need to be taking suppressive meds, not if it's genital Type 1.

I agree, and ya I don't think the suppressants will be necessary. Thank you so much for the info and feedback. I am really grateful to be a part of the thread here!