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recently diagnosed with herpes

Posted , 6 users are following.

devonfighter
devonfighter

Hi, I'm a 19 year old female, and I've just found out I have herpes 

So on Tuesday (yesterday) I was examined by what seemed like the millionth doctor, and diagnosed with herpes. I had been feeling soooo many symptoms for around 2 weeks, been told its a uti, thrush, chlamydia etc but deep down I knew it was herpes, just because it was the worst case scenario for me and I felt like I would have that bad luck you know? I am feeling a lot of emotions, and it does not help that I suffer from anxiety and depression, so I am glad i have found this group as it will probably be very cathartic for me.

However, at the moment I have one particular query: So I am still waiting on results to know which strain (HSV1 or 2) I have. I have researched a lot but I am still confused. So, my doctor did say that it is technically possible for me to have given genital herpes to myself? In the sense that, since I have been known to suffer from cold sores, the virus could have travelled, through my body, from my lips to my genitals. Now, I am not convinced by this, since I have a new sexual partner so it feels like it makes sense that he has given it to be. However, I have also found stuff online which suggests that if you already have HSV1 on the mouth area, you cannot get it down below?

So my question is: is it possible for me to have given my partner HSV1 by performing oral sex and then he gives the virus to me in the genitals?

Furthermore, could I have both strains in both areas, as in, can I have sores caused by HSV1 and 2 on my lips at the same time?

There seems to be a lot of conflicting information online about this and I'm struggling to get my head around it. So sorry for the very long comment!

Thanks in advance x

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • mark50520
    mark50520 devonfighter

    Posted

    Hello devonfighter

    It is bit confusing but to answer your questions........

    is it possible for me to have given my partner HSV1 by performing oral sex and then he gives the virus to me in the genitals?..............Yes, but its unlikely unless you had an active coldsore at the time

     can I have sores caused by HSV1 and 2 on my lips at the same time?..........Yes

    Here's the explanation. HSV1 likes to live on the lips and cause cold sores but can occsionally infect the genitals. With HSV2 its the othe way around, it likes to infect the genitals but can occasionally infect the lips. Oral sex is the usual way the virus ends up in the "wrong" site.

    Once you get say HSV1 in one place you will develop HSV1 antibodies. The immunity from these make it all but impossible to be re-infected with HSV1 at another site.

    The same is true for HSV2.

    However HSV1 infection gives you no immunity to HSV2 nor the other way around.

    So for example if you had HSV1 coldsores on your lips, you could still later be infected with HSV2 on either your gentitals or your lips.

    I hope I've not confused you even more.

    Try not to be too down about the whole thing. There are loads of people walking the streets, holding down jobs, falling in love and enjoying life despite having Herpes. They just dont carry big signs say ing they have it, so you dont know.

    Best of luck to you.

    • devonfighter
      devonfighter mark50520

      Posted

      Thank you so much. That makes sense, and everything else is becoming more clear with each new day. It's just a lot to get my head around!

  • karan30
    karan30 devonfighter

    Posted

    Hi,

    I was in your place a year back. I thought I was having all the Std's in the world. The internet screwed my head. I used to search like a maniac. Internet tells you the worst possible outcome of everything. Anyway, what I suggest is, If you're already seeing a doctor why don't you ask him the question. You will never get a clear cut idea on the internet, it will only make it worse. I suggest you to consult your doctor in everything and stop searching for answers on the internet, believe me It will help you alot. I am telling you because I've been there and luckily for me all the test came negative. Those were the horrible days of my life and internet made it worse.

    • james2606
      james2606 karan30

      Posted

      You do have a point. We are all looking for answers but believe we question and look for answers because sometimes how you are feeling is something one has not felt before. So its hard to not figure out whats going on.
    • karan30
      karan30 james2606

      Posted

      Hi,

      I know what you're talking. You can't control the brain. It's a very bad organ of the body when you're depressed. I hope you guys are okay and I really hope you get over this the way I did.

    • karan30
      karan30 james2606

      Posted

      Hi,

      I know what you're talking. You can't control the brain. It's a very bad organ of the body when you're depressed. I hope you guys are okay and I really hope you get over this the way I did.

    • james2606
      james2606 karan30

      Posted

      I hope so to thank you for the advise. It's appreciated.

    • devonfighter
      devonfighter karan30

      Posted

      I've spoken to my doctor quite a bit. Basically, she has diagnosed me with herpes simplex through an examination as I have active sores but when I asked for a swab or blood test to confirm and ascertain whether I have hsv1 or 2, she did not think it necessary? Unfortunately, as a student, I do move from home to university regularly so next time I can get an appointment I may ask for a test just so I can be sure and confident of my diagnosis. The issue is, I get the impression that in England, or at least with my doctor, they seem to suggest doing a swab test and this has to be done with active sores. So as my outbreak seems to be winding down, and I am healing, I'm not sure whether I will get any definite answers any time soon :-(

      Thank you though, I'm glad everything turned out well for you x

    • devonfighter
      devonfighter james2606

      Posted

      I just feel like you just have to take one day at a time, and although this is difficult, I think I am learning to with support from my family. I just need to try and remember that it is by no means the end of the world
    • mark50520
      mark50520 devonfighter

      Posted

      Regarding the testing, I think its a good idea to get a positive diagnosis confirmed by a test. It helps inform discussions with future sexual partners.

      In England the standard NHS blood test isnt very good in that it doeasn't distinguish between HSV1 and HSV2. There are some IGG based blood tests that can tell the difference, but you would have to pay privately for them unfortunately.

      Getting a swab during an outbreak is the way to go. But the sores only shed virus for the first 2-3 days. After that you will get a negative result even though it was Herpes and you can still see the sores.

      I got a negative result for this reason and wrongly assumed I hadn't got Herpes with disasterous results.

  • tee1710
    tee1710 devonfighter

    Posted

    Hi Devonfighter, I am a 26 year old female also in the UK diagnosed today after pretty much the exact same experience as you and same symptoms. I have been swabbed and am waiting for the official results but the doctor said it was pretty much 100% and I just know in myself it is.  I have pretty much been crying for ten hours now.  Have you told your new sexual partner? I’m not sure how to go about this as I am pretty sure he gave it to me but unsure whether he even realises he has it. 
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