I might have contracted herpes.

[User30624700]

Hello, recently I have had encounters with Sexual Workers.

Recently, I started developing lesion on my pubic bone area (inside my pubic hair area).
I went to see a doctor, and he suspected that this might be Herpes.  And my doctor has collected sample for lab test.  I would need to wait for the result.
My doctor said that based on what he see (the pattern of lesion) he suspect there is high probability that it might be herpes.

But the problem is that I've always tried to practice safe sex and I always used a condom for vaginal sex.
The doctor said, unfortunately, for that pubic bone/pubic hair area (where I developed lesion), it's not protected by condom. It could not protect me.  

In other word, there is no way I could practice safe sex?
What should I have done, looking backward?
And what I should do going forward?

I'm frustrated, saddened, and confused.

Thanks

[auntiejessi]

Unfortunately, your doctor is correct - there is no such thing as safe sex. There is safer sex, but not safe sex.

Also, if you receive oral sex, and that's unprotected, you could have genital herpes type 1, from someone who has oral hsv1.

Herpes transmits by skin to skin contact. Condoms don't cover all the skin. (HPV and syphilis also transmit this way.) You can get herpes in areas outside the areas that condoms cover. A person doesn't have to be having an outbreak to transmit, either.

What should you have done? You did everything you could have. You wore condoms. Don't beat yourself up about this.

What can you do going forward? Don't beat yourself up. What else you can do depends on what type you have, and I hope your doctor ordered it to be typed. (Call the doctor today and ask if he ordered the culture to be typed - they can tell if you have type 1 or type 2, and it's important.)

Type 1 genitally sheds less, and recurs less, so you may decide to not use daily suppressive, which reduce both. If you have type 2, you may decide to take them. (Daily suppressives are either Valtrex or acyclovir, and they are both effective. Valtrex is once a day, but more expensive. Acyclovir is twice a day, but cheaper. Many decide based on convenience vs cost.)

I can give you transmission stats, if you feel comfortable telling me your sex, and the sex of your partners.

In the meantime, read the Herpes Handbook - https://westoverheights.com/herpes/the-updated-herpes-handbook/ It's free, and written by the world's leading experts on herpes.

[User30624700]

My test reports has came out (from blood tests and swap test).
It turns out the lab result show ALL NEGATIVE.
The HSV Swap test showed negative result (No HSV found).

However, my doctor insisted that based on the pattern of lesion and location (in pubic area), it should be herpes.
He said we couldn't do another test at this moment.  He said the only thing we could do is to wait for the next outbreak and do another swap test.

Is there any other way for me to confirm?

I'm even more confused.  And stressed.   As now I have lab result that shown negative, but symptom that doctor said must be.

Thought?

[auntiejessi]

How long after the symptoms appeared did you have the swab test done?

Cultures - what you had done - have a fairly high false negative rate, mostly because of timing. If it's not done within 48-72 hours of it appearing, it can be hard to detect on a regular swab test.

There are blood tests you can have done, but they have limitations, too. The type specific IgG blood test will tell you what type you have, but not where you have it. If you got genital herpes type 1 from oral sex, and the blood test comes back positive for type 1, all you know is that you have type 1. It doesn't tell you if what you have going on genitally is herpes, a fungal infection, infected hair follicles, or what. You could have an oral hsv1 infection, and something else genitally.

It also can take up to 4 months to show positive on a blood test, and the IgG test misses about 30% of hsv1 infections.

So yes, you are stuck in sort of a holding pattern here. If you can get your doctor to give you a blood test, you may show positive on it by now - most people test positive by 6 weeks - but they can also give false positives, which could send you down a testing spiral that can be hard to get out of. If you are in Canada, the UK, or a few other countries, it is VERY hard to get the blood test.

So yes, the best thing that you can do may be to wait and see if this recurs and get in to your doctor immediately (and when you call, tell them that it's urgent, that you need a herpes test now - don't let them make you wait even 2 days). If it happens again, ask for a PCR swab to be done - it's far more sensitive than a regular culture, which it sounds like you had done.

I'm sorry this is happening. Sometimes getting the correct diagnosis is hellish.

[User30624700]

How do I even communicate with my sexual partner(s)?
My sexual partner never had any kind of symptom.
But I'm guessing it could only come from her.

However, if she is asymptomatic, and there is no accurate test (neither blood test nor swab test) under such condition, how could she get herself tested also?

Until there is some kind outbreak, we will never be able to have positive result.
If she is a CSW, then it would just keep spreading with no end.

What could she do, if she is CSW, and she don't have any positive symptom or test result?
What could she do, if she is CSW, and she at some point test positive for HSV but she is always asymptomatic?  Just quit and starve and die?  

[auntiejessi]

You can just tell her you have some symptoms that your doctor thinks may be herpes, and you wanted to let her know so she can test if she chooses. Tell her that you don't know yet, and aren't even sure, but wanted to let her know for her health and job considerations.

Then you leave it up to her. She is a grown woman who makes her own decisions.

If she tests negative on a blood test - if she can get them where you are - that could help eliminate your worry.

I'm still not sure this is herpes, and neither is your doctor. He can't be sure until test results confirm it. Don't let your imagination have your CSW friend starving and dying in your mind when you don't even know.

Where are you located? Just a country is fine - I don't need your exact location. I may be able to help you find a place for blood testing, if it's available there.

[User30624700]

I'm in Canada.  And my partner was in Canada, however, she has recently left and went to China.  On the other hand, I still have contact with her.

I have already told her about my situation.  And I did suggest her to do a test.  I don't know if she have done yet.
I told her I did the test, and the negative result, and also the symptom, and the fact that doctor insisted it's still likely herpes despite the negative result.

At this moment, I no longer have any symptom.  And my test was negative.
Can I continue to have condom protected sex with others (CSW) ?

[auntiejessi]

I haven't used this service, either in Canada or the US, so I can't vouch for it, but you may want to check it out - https://www.letsgetchecked.com/ca/en/home-herpes-test/

The reviews I've read are good, but please do your own research for your location. You'll also have to pay yourself.

I haven't seen your symptoms, I'm not a doctor, and I can't tell you it's not herpes. If you do have herpes, there is still a chance you could transmit it without symptoms and while using a condom.

If your doctor is convinced it's herpes, has he suggested daily suppressive therapy, like valtrex? That could also reduce the risk of transmission, if this is what you have.

[CurfewX]

Can you tell us what type of test the clinic performed? If they swabbed your lesions, they should be able to tell you what type of test they performed.

[User30624700]

I just swabbed today.  Will be sent to the lab.  So I do not know what test will be performed yet.  Will have to wait for 2 weeks for the result to come back.  Only then would I be able to ask what kind of test is performed.